It all began in Monza in 1923 when Mario Colombo and his wife founded “Manifattura Mario Colombo & C.” The company initially focused on the production of felt for hats and gaiters, two highly sought-after products at the time. In 1923, the first logo was created, featuring a dove, a clear reference to the founder’s surname, and the logotype, composed in a “Gothic” font.
A 1928 advertisement featured a woman wearing a hat made of gaiters. The name “Colmar” emerged almost by chance during a game of fantasy among friends at the bar, combining the first three letters of the founder’s surname with those of his first name. The logo was then registered in 1931.
In 1950, the logo underwent a restyling, becoming more linear and simple, with serifed capital letters inside a red circle surrounded by a blue line. At the 1952 Oslo Olympics, skier Zeno Colò dominated the downhill wearing clothing designed by Mario Colombo; thus, Colmar became a world-renowned brand. From the 1960s onwards, ski holidays experienced a veritable boom; Colmar rode the wave, creating the famous slogan “in case of snow,” inspired by a road sign advising people to put on snow chains.
In 1970, although the circular logo was still in use, a new restyling emerged that featured a block character placed inside a rectangle with the letter “C” next to it. This variant was mainly used on clothing.
In the 1980s, television advertising exploded, and Colmar invested in sponsorships and a logo restyling. In 1985, the brand’s revamp was entrusted to Swiss designer Walter Ballmer: the famous red and blue stamp was replaced by the Colmar logo and a stylized snowflake.
In 2016, thanks to its innovative spirit and deep connection with its roots and traditions, Colmar chose to introduce a new logo designed by the Leftloft agency. This redesign of the lettering makes it more contemporary and attractive, with updated proportions, while still maintaining its timeless elegance.
