Eddie Bauer Clothes On The Celebrity Circuit

Eddie Bauer is getting lots of walk-on roles these days on television and in the movies. But like an actor who's been stereotyped into certain roles, the company can't seem to get costume designers to cast against type.

Eddie Bauer practically invented the outdoorsy Northwestern look decades ago with its parkas and down vests. Now some of it's most visible roles are in "Northern Exposure," CBS's hit television series set in Alaska but shot in Rosyln.

When Rob Morrow, who plays Dr. Joel Fleischman, is wandering around Cicely in the winter, he's usually cocooned in one of Eddie Bauer's hooded polar parkas. To save post-production time, Eddie Bauer designed a special "quiet" parka for Morrow made of fabric that doesn't rustle.

Janine Turner, who plays Maggie, spent much of last season wearing a nipped-at-the-waist, red-and-charcoal plaid jacket with a fashionably retro look. Eddie Bauer's staff soon started calling it "the Maggie jacket," although in last winter's catalog it was described as an ombre plaid wool rancher.

In the recent movie "Grumpy Old Men," Walter Matthau trudged around in rubberized chukka boots and a hunting cap with ear flaps, both by Eddie Bauer.

Given that the company now sells more clothes appropriate for Bainbridge barbecues than the Alaskan wilderness, is Eddie Bauer concerned about its lingering Nanook of the North screen image?

"No, we're not," says Andi Tompkins, a company spokeswoman. "What I'm hoping is that it all leads to a broader endorsement of the Eddie Bauer brand."

The company's growing accessories line also is getting more screen time. Small day packs, canvas briefcases and sports watches by Eddie Bauer have appeared in "The Client," "The Firm," "The Fugitive" and "Pelican Brief." But the most visible role so far went to an Eddie Bauer suede-and-leather rucksack carried by Robert Redford in "Sneakers."

"It got about 30 seconds of screen time, which is a lot and very unusual," said Tompkins. "Another thrill was having Mr. Redford autograph it and send it back to us."