Our Story

Grounded Futurism

At Gruner1949, we design for the way people live now — without compromising the standards that have defined us for generations.

We call this Grounded Futurism: the union of decades-honed craftsmanship with modern performance tailoring. It’s about respecting the patterns, proportions, and construction methods that stand the test of time, while embracing fabrics, fits, and details that move with modern life.

Our pieces are engineered for comfort, stretch, and versatility — jackets that look sharp in the boardroom and move effortlessly on the street. It’s tailoring built for the present and ready for the future.

Built to Move. Born in 1949

Gruner & Co. began in 1949, when Salo Gutfreund — a visionary in functional fashion — transformed a former British parachute factory into a coatmaker’s workshop. What began as rubberized rainwear soon became a benchmark for protection, polish, and purpose.

Over the decades, the company expanded from rainwear into fine wool coats, leather goods, and licensed outerwear for leading fashion houses.

Craft Legacy

Every generation refined the art of garment making — combining durability with sophisticated silhouettes. The commitment to precision tailoring, premium materials, and functional design became our signature.

Today & Future

Now under the direction of Salo’s granddaughter, Caroline Massel, Gruner1949 builds on that foundation with technical garments engineered for modern movement — combining stretch, structure, and storytelling.

Our stretch sport coat marks the first step in a new era — honoring our roots while reimagining what modern tailoring can be.

“We design for people who move — physically, emotionally, forward.”

— Caroline Massel