Culture On the Rise

Puff Piece

A new, ethically focused outerwear brand brings the heat.

by Stacey McLachlan

Adhere To Studios is at once a brand name and a mission statement: a reminder to Vancouver-based designer Alexandra Dean to stick with her values through each and every step of the manufacturing process. “I’ve got an ethical and environmental responsibility,” says Dean. “I can’t produce garments without factoring in how that’s affecting the world.”

A trinity of sustainability, functionality and aesthetic is a tricky one to balance, but the former Lululemon designer is giving her all to this solo project. “This is my opportunity to define a supply chain, to be sustainable and low-impact,” says Dean. “A small corporation has the ability to be nimble.” And so, recycled-synthetic materials are selected with longevity and durability in mind and processes are designed to be as eco-conscious as possible, while the designs themselves are intended to be both stylish and timeless.

Case in point: Adhere To’s first collection. The functional and breathable 3L waterproof blazers (from $495) bring trench-coat vibes and high-tech performance, while two diligently crafted puffer jackets are poised to be instant fashion-cult classics: the

The Re:Down crop puffer is an on-trend take on a classic winter style, but one intended to stand the test of time with hard-wearing, sustainable materials.

Re:Down puffer and crop puffer (starting from $560) come in classic black and icy blue, made from three-layer fabric and filled with recycled 700FP down. Thoughtful details like inner straps (allowing the wearer to sling the puffer like a backpack when things heat up), thumbholes in the ribbed cuffs and fleece-lined pockets create an unbeatably cozy experience.

It’s an intentionally small collection, and future seasonal collections will follow suit. “I want every item to have purpose and function,” says Dean. “I don’t want to just create filler.”