People

Yvon Chouinard

Yvon Chouinard

Formal First Name
Yvon
Dates
1938 - present
Location

Yvon Chouinard is a celebrated American environmentalist, mountain climber, passionate activist, itinerant adventurer, and radical outdoor industry businessman. In 1984, he founded Patagonia, an outdoor wear maker known for its environmental and social initiatives. His apparel business took off when Chouinard imported rugby shirts from England and subsequently sold them to climbers. Also a renowned author, Chouinard has written about climbing issues and ethics and on mixing environmentalism with business.