The Chillaz Story
“Courageous Steps and Gentle Footprints”
Discover the story of a brand that was born out of a passion for climbing and the desire for sustainable, movement-friendly clothing.
The brand was launched in 2001 by Ulf Kattnig and Florian Proxauf in Tyrol. Ulf had previously worked for a large textile manufacturer in Hong Kong and noticed that many established brands were not willing to meet the needs of the climbing community – especially when it came to stretchy and movement-friendly clothing. This realization led to the idea of founding their own brand that would offer precisely this flexibility. In the first year, 40 retailers were won over to the new vision, which was quite unusual at the time.
In 2003, Sandra Kattnig (then still Emmer) joined the brand. That same year, Florian Proxauf dropped out to concentrate on his law studies. Sandra and Ulf continued to build the brand together. Sandra, a passionate climber herself, took part in competitions, offered climbing as a school sport, ran a small mountaineering shop and gave climbing courses. Love finally led her to Ulf in Tyrol.
Daughter Jeanie later also became part of the company and is now dedicated to marketing. Over time, a real family business has been created, based on the passion and commitment of the entire family and the team.
The meaning of the name
“Chill”
Stands for the relaxed atmosphere and lifestyle that the brand embodies.
“Zillertal”
A world-famous place for climbing enthusiasts, which represents the roots of the brand.
Fusion “Chillaz”
The combination of “chill” and “Zillertal” symbolizes the connection between relaxation and adventure in climbing. That’s how the name “Chillaz” was born.
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In 2003, Sandra Kattnig (then Emmer) joined the brand. That same year, Florian Proxauf left to focus on his law studies. Sandra and Ulf then continued building the brand together. Sandra, a passionate climber herself, participated in competitions, introduced climbing as a school sport, ran a small mountaineering shop, and offered climbing courses. Eventually, love brought her to Ulf in Tyrol. Their daughter Jeanie later joined the company and is now actively involved in marketing. Over time, the brand evolved into a true family business, driven by the passion and commitment of the entire family.
Ulf was a professional cross-country skier for many years and later also a mountain biker before discovering climbing. From the start, Ulf and Sandra collaborated on designing collections for women, men, children, and accessories. In the early years, they managed everything themselves – from design to packaging and shipping – which gave them firsthand experience in every aspect of the company. Today, Ulf focuses primarily on designing collections, sales, and overseeing production, while Sandra handles the collection, marketing, and IT-related tasks.
Ulf’s time living in Hong Kong, working for a large textile producer, greatly expanded his industry knowledge. The experience was a demanding yet invaluable education that prepared him for the later founding of the brand.
Family and friends played a crucial role in the brand’s journey, particularly in 2003, when Sandra and Ulf came together both professionally and personally. Their shared passion for sports and the vision of creating innovative climbing apparel united them.
An essential part of the brand’s success is its dedicated team, built over the years. Without the tireless efforts of the team working behind the scenes daily, the brand’s growth would not have been possible. The team brings a diverse range of skills and unwavering passion, helping to realize the founders’ vision. Every employee plays a role in making the brand what it is today: a shared project by people who love climbing and nature.
The brand represents a fusion of urban lifestyle and high-quality climbing apparel that performs equally well on the rock and in everyday life. The materials must meet strict requirements: stretchy, durable, lightweight, and comfortable. Sustainability is a core value – not just as a buzzword, but because nature is literally in their backyard.
The brand thrives on the passion of its founders and team. Ulf and Sandra have always pushed boundaries, striving to create innovative products and explore new paths.
We want to produce garments that you will want to wear every day, even when the pieces have already seen better days.