EcoLux☆Lifestyle: Anian Modern Melton: Sustainable Wool Redesigned

Fashion

Designed out of a desire to redefine sustainable clothing and inspired by Canada’s great outdoors, Anian Modern Melton turns old wool products into durable, versatile clothing.

Outdoors person walking in river wearing Anian, Anian, Modern Melton, Recycled Wool, EcoLuxLifestyle, Paul Wong, Helen Siwak, Vancouver, BC, YVR, Vancity — *Created especially for the great outdoors | Image provided by Anian*

Founder and designer Paul Long wanted to create awareness around the wasteful textile industry. Long is a lover of the outdoors but was frustrated by the need to replace synthetic gear season after season. He looked to natural fibers as a way to reduce his footprint. His company, Anian, takes old socks, sweaters, suits, and more, and mills them through an innovative circular life cycle to become timeless, 100% Melton wool piece.

A rack of Anian wool shirts, Anian, Modern Melton, Recycled Wool, EcoLuxLifestyle, Paul Wong, Helen Siwak, Vancouver, BC, YVR, Vancity — *Wide range of natural colours | Image provided by Anian*

*Creating strong, long-lasting, and versatile garments | Image provided by Anian*

Extremely conscious of the textile waste created by our fashion-obsessed culture, Anian has taken over 60,000 lbs of post-consumer textile waste and created the Modern Melton—a shirt which harnesses waste to put a twist on a classic.

DEFINING A BRAND

Anian was the name explorers gave to a mythical passage meant to connect the West to the East. It was a search for the unknown, which is what stepping into the clothing industry felt like for the brand’s founders. The team had no idea what they were doing, but they dove in headfirst regardless!

A large spool of recycled wool, Anian, Modern Melton, Recycled Wool, EcoLuxLifestyle, Paul Wong, Helen Siwak, Vancouver, BC, YVR, Vancity — *The circle from wool to yarn to garment | Image provided by Anian*

WHAT IS MELTON?

As a textile, Melton was traditionally used in the making of peacoats worn by sailors. It has a weave so tight that it is resistant to both wind and water. Not only does this wool’s smooth, felt-like surface lend itself well to outdoor adventures, it is also elegant and luxurious. The resulting garments are well-suited for an evening on a rooftop patio, evenings by the fire, and walks with the friends.

Outdoors person wearing Anian wool shirt, Anian, Modern Melton, Recycled Wool, EcoLuxLifestyle, Paul Wong, Helen Siwak, Vancouver, BC, YVR, Vancity — *Water resistant and warm | Image provided by Anian*

THE ANIAN PROCESS

Anian uses wool that has been discarded from around the world. It is then milled in Italy into post-consumer recycled wool through an extensive process. This material is then sent to Canada to create the Anian Modern Melton. As a Canadian, Long prides himself in knowing the first name of everybody who helps ensure that the shirts meet the company’s high standards.

Benefits of Recycled Wool:

Reduced land required for sheep
Reduced air, water, and soil pollution
Reduced waste in landfills
Zero chemical dyes used

The Anian Modern Melton collection is sold online and out of Anian’s Victoria, BC flagship store at 575 Johnson Street. The Anian store opened in 2013 and is Canada’s first 100% solar-powered off-the-grid store, built out of 100% reclaimed materials.

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Learn more about Canadian textile waste with these informative links:

In Canada, the average person throws out 81lbs of textiles annually

The production of new garments uses 1/3 of the worlds freshwater resources

Landfills will consume 85% of wearable textiles