WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ALTHYREA
ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS
A Natural Choice
In a day and age where everyone is screaming for attention, we keep it simple.
Althyrea is a premium slow fashion women’s apparel brand designed and made locally in British Columbia. The designer behind the brand, Robin Briggs, spent the past 20 years as a senior apparel designer in Manhattan, working with large premium apparel brands like Ralph Lauren. Robin has brought her passion for ethical textiles and a sustainable, responsible approach to the fashion industry to Vancouver – where she can also share in her second love of conservation and environmental efforts.
Framed as “ethical, timeless, premium sportwear for the environmentally conscious woman,” the apparel line features Robin’s “BC Coast Collection”, a capsule inspired by the province.
BC Coast Collection
Ethical, timeless, premium sportswear
for the environmentally conscious woman
BC Coast Collection
Slip into responsible elegance. We are dedicated to designing timeless styles that can be mixed and layered for effortless, outdoor chic for years to come. See the full collection here.
THE WOMAN BEHIND THE BRAND
About Althyrea
THE STORY OF ALTHYREA’S FOUNDER ROBIN BRIGGS IS ONE OF SLOWING DOWN
Designer, nature lover and wildlife photographer, Robin started her journey with a passion for hand-weaving and textile print design. As a young woman, she attended the Paris American Academy / Ecole Des Beaux Arts and while living in the world’s fashion capital, she experienced the glamour of couture runways of such industry giants as Balmain, Givenchy and Thierry Mugler.
Her professional journey took her back to the USA, where she settled in New York ultimately becoming a Men’s Design Director at a large American fashion brand. She never considered herself a fashionista and prefers practical, simple high-quality clothes. However, for over 25 years, she’s immersed herself in this fast-paced environment but became increasingly concerned about the direction it was heading in. Living in the hustle and bustle of New York’s Soho shopping district, Robin became disenchanted and unsettled by the global hazards of fast fashion and the consumerism it evokes in people.
As a result, in 2010, Robin enrolled in Columbia University’s Environmental Research and Education program with the dream of getting into Corporate Social Responsibility and making a difference. This plan, however, did not come to fruition, but in turn, it pushed Robin to realize a long-time dream of hers: to start a slow-fashion clothing business.
She moved away from the Big Apple to West Vancouver, where she lives today, with her family, surrounded by the raw, wild beauty of the BC coast. There, her business plans took shape, and the world of ALTHYREA became a reality.
IT’S NOT SUSTAINABLE TO BE UNSUSTAINABLE
Environmental Responsibility
Design Ethics
Where environmental responsibility meets high quality and timeless style lies ALTHYREA’s design philosophy.
We acknowledge women who share a deep connection with nature who refuse to ignore the current environmental and social issues our planet faces. They know that buying less is a smarter choice.
Marrying the practical and the beautiful, we design essentials with our go-with-anything key wardrobe staples.
Circularity is the driving force behind our creative process – we want our products to receive a new lease of life at the end of their journey and never end up in a landfill.
Material Sourcing
Every outstanding product starts with exceptional fabrics, and ALTHYREA’S collection is a case in point. The sourcing process is guided by prioritizing natural, durable fabrics and using less natural resources.
Most large apparel companies use petroleum-based fabrics like polyester and nylon – we never will. They are cheaper and sold as “packable”. Our natural fibers are biodegradable.
Our aim is that of our materials come with relevant critical certifications, including Responsible Wool Standard, OEKO-TEX®, Global Organic Textile Standard, ZQ Merino, BlueSign, and traceable cashmere and more.
Our commitment to the exclusive use of these high-quality fabrics allows us to create made-to-last pieces with high animal welfare and environmental standards in mind that you can trust and enjoy for countless seasons to come.
Manufacturing Standards
Respect is at the core of any fruitful partnership – that’s why we extend the respect we have for the environment to our local manufacturers and craftspeople as well.
Believing that any revolutionary change is a joint effort, we seek out like-minded professionals and companies who share our values.
All our products are made in Canada and the USA in ethical, clean, safe working conditions, where the employees are fairly compensated.
Circular Philosophy
We know you want better, not more waste, so we offer to repair and repurpose your gently used clothing. Simply send back to us or donate. Find a local online reduce, repair, reuse organization or bring to your local thrift store.
We are just beginning our circular business model but we know that this transparent and accountable approach keeps us firmly on track towards a sustainable future.
As the brand goes through it’s official launch early next year and gains following, we look forward to launching Althyrea’s philanthropic give back program focused on conservation efforts in BC. Stay tuned early February for more information!
Information and images courtesy of Althyrea and provided by Britney Wilson, Tenacra.
