founded by
Jim Murphy and Harry Nye Jr
belongs to
Sixty Group
about
Murphy&Nye and sailing share a bond that goes back to the early 20th century when, in 1933, Jim Murphy and Harry Nye Jr founded in Chicago Murphy&Nye as specialised sailmakers for pleasure craft. They soon became renowned as makers of sails for Great Lakes scows and battened sails for the ice boats that would glide over the frozen lakes during the winter. Lynn Williams, owner of the yacht Elizabeth, was Murphy&Nye's first customer for large-size sails, which indeed proved to be so effective that Elizabeth won the Mackinac Race the very same year.
In 1937 Murphy&Nye became increasingly involved in the racing world; four years later, Milton Wagerfurth wins the Star World Championship with Murphy&Nye sails.
By the sixties, Murphy&Nye has become one of the most important names in sailmaking in the United States. In 1975, the European branch, based in Italy, opens. Its success is so big that in 1980 Murphy&Nye Europe purchases the brand from the parent company in the US. The expertise acquired in racing sail manufacture leads Murphy&Nye to tailor clothing items that are worn exclusively by crews on yachts that use their sails. The clothes, designed to meet the demands for toughness and functionality required by their use, are made in the workshop with the very same techniques and materials used for the sails. They become so popular that a line of clothing Murphy&Nye Sailwear is created, and the classic trousers made from tough Reps cotton is named 'Newport', the home town of the world's oldest and most prestigious race, the America's Cup.
High quality and versatility are the dominant elements of garments designed to ensure comfort both in extreme conditions and in everyday life.