About Us
We make clothes for movers & makers. Re-imagined classics for people who make their own way.
Nestled between the surf and the serenity of Santa Barbara, Purnell is the brainchild of a family that decided "good enough" was never, well, good enough. We are all movers, makers, and sometimes shakers (though,
usually that's just because we’ve had too much coffee). But we aren't just about making clothes—we are the outfitters of everyday adventures, stitching together the daily grind with the weekend unwind. We're about forging an outdoor lifestyle for both the boardroom and the backwoods, all without breaking a sweat—or at least looking good while doing it.
Brita Womack, President & Co-Founder
Meet Brita, our President & Co-Founder. You can spot her on the left in the pic, sharing a moment with her sister Dagny (on the right). These two were all about building forts and seeking out the next adventure, way before it was cool. Not exactly the "traditional" type, they were more into flexing their creativity, embracing self-sufficiency, and tackling any challenges that came their way.
Back in the day, while most kids were doing typical kid stuff, Brita was all about sewing and creating her own clothes. Who knew, right? Turns out, she's been a Purnell girl from the get-go, setting the stage for what we're all about.
J Brent Dehlsen, Co-Founder
Brent, Dagny's husband, comes from a family that has been pioneering the renewable energy industry for longer than most people have cared about it. He started his career, not in some fancy corner office, but quite the opposite – hanging off wind turbines like a human flag in all kinds of weather, doing his best to dodge those wrenches (and occasionally failing).
Fast forward through years of vertical climbs and battles with the elements, Brent finds himself in a suit (figuratively speaking) as the COO of a wind energy company that’s actually making waves. But let's face it, despite the title and the perks, he's encountered a challenge that no boardroom strategy could solve: outfitting his field techs in gear that doesn’t make them choose between looking like a professional and feeling like a contortionist in a safety harness.
So, with a stroke of frustration-fueled genius, Brent starts imagining workwear that doesn’t just withstand the harsh conditions up in the air but also doesn’t look out of place at a post-work hangout. He dreams of stretchy canvas and pockets and seams that actually align with human movement - because apparently, clothes being comfortable and functional is a big ask.
Brent might not have set out to be a fashion innovator, but here he is, tweaking seams and rethinking pockets because, well, necessity is the mother of invention, isn’t it?
Dagny Dehlsen, VP Sales/Operations & Co-Founder
Back in 2012, in the kind of local Santa Barbara café where the coffee is strong and the ideas are stronger, a lightbulb moment happened - and thus, Purnell was born. Not your granddad's workwear, mind you, but something that screams, "Let's get cracking!" for today's and tomorrow's band of go-getters.
Now, who to steer this ship through the wild seas of Sales & Operations? Enter Dagny, stage left (literally, check out the photo - she's on the left). She's Brita's adventurous sister and Brent's better half, with a résumé that'll make you wonder what you've been doing with your life.
Starting off as a bilingual elementary school teacher (because why not?), Dagny wasn't content just shaping young minds in the classroom. Oh no, she took her talents to the PTA, rising to the ranks of president, no less. Next, she dove headfirst into the techy waters of the Santa Barbara High School Computer Science Academy, serving both on the board and as a parent advisor to what might be the coolest club in school: the Robotics Club/Maker’s Club. And guess what she wore through all of this? Yep, Purnell. Because nothing says "I've got this" quite like being able to transition from a school meeting to a robotics competition without a wardrobe change.
Dagny's our not-so-secret weapon, making sure Purnell fits into your day-to-day, from the boardroom to the backcountry, with a sprinkle of that classroom management skill to keep us all in check.
Our Namesake, Francis Purnell Dehlsen
Oh, let's talk about Francis Purnell - the legend, the matriarch, the name on the tag. Our very own Co-Founder Brent Dehlsen's grandma, who probably had more spunk and flair in her pinky finger than we've got in our entire inventory. Born with the spirit of adventure in the vibrant streets of Guadalajara, Mexico, she didn’t just stop there. Nope, Francis took her talents to the University of California Berkeley.
Art was her game, with a side of marrying a Danish engineer who was out there making the Southern Pacific Railroad the stuff of legends. Talk about a power couple before hashtags were a thing.
Here at Purnell, we're all about tipping our hats (and sewing their essence into our gear) to Francis's fearlessness and creative spark. She's the reason why our women-owned, family-operated business doesn’t just stop at making clothes that fit right and look good. Nope, we're here to fuel those get-out-there-and-do-something-great vibes, just like Francis did. Because let's face it, life's too short for boring clothes and missed adventures. So, in the spirit of Francis Purnell, let's make every day a bit more daring, a tad more artistic, and a whole lot more fun, shall we?