Axel's Story

 

"Romance is the very thread that weaves our collections together, from Italian handmade sartorial clothing to the rugged leathers that imbue the spirit of the west."

Our Story

Welcome to Axel’s online boutique! Here you will find collections of exquisite cashmere, leathers and shearlings, European footwear, hand-tooled cowboy boots, one-of-a-kind belt buckles, and our own AXEL'S denim line for men and women.

Our devotion to family and our desire to share our passion for art, elegance, and this mountain lifestyle has helped shape who we are today. My wife, Janie, who has worked alongside me since day one, grew up in fairytale surroundings in Connecticut and Barbados, and I was raised in Norway, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Janie and I were married a few weeks after we first met, and decades later our marriage continues to be blessed with romance and beauty, emotions we hope to convey through our collections. Romance is the very thread that weaves our collections together, from Italian handmade sartorial clothing to the rugged leathers that imbue the spirit of the west.

We have not made this journey alone: Our two adult children, Candice and Axel Jr., are integral to our story; together we travel the world in search of ideas, while developing our own collections that convey the essence of our lifestyle. We are also fortunate to have some incredibly talented and passionate associates who often act more as advisors than co-workers.

Please join us in experiencing the beauty and romance we offer.

Our History

We came to the Vail Valley 35 years ago seeking a life balanced by work and play in this picturesque mountain valley. Behind us was an international business career and ahead lay the option to purchase a small mountaineering store. At Vail Mountaineering we sold crampons and fleece, GoreTex and tele-skis, and wow....was it fun! We worked, skied, hiked, and climbed. Our business grew and in 1990 we were fortunate to have the opportunity to move from Lionshead to Vail Village, our current location. Along with the address change came a gradual evolution in merchandise from mountaineering equipment to unique clothing that truly imbues both our dreams and lifestyle.

Our Products

Our look is versatile: casual and elegant, sophisticated and rugged. Our clothes, classically inspired, fit naturally with jeans, but can easily form the basis for a more formal wardrobe. As Luciano Barbera says, "It's not enough to have beautiful clothes. In fact, some people have too many. What matters, is what you do with them." We love color and texture and are committed to finding more of it. We live our dream and we invite you to join.

Philosophy

We sell beautiful clothes for men and women that are made in Europe or the United States. Where we can, we produce our own products or change existing designs to better represent our look. We strive to work with people we like, and we champion individuality. We build relationships with our vendors as we do with our customers. We believe in integrity. Our "modest" objective is to have the best store in the world.