I am Robert Barron, Founder and CEO of Honest Apparel. My company is rich with history so let me tell you how it began.
In 1985, I was a senior executive at a Fortune 100 company, but my true passion was sailboat racing on the world’s most respected Grand Prix boats in the US, Caribbean, and Europe. I was asked by Patagonia to be a Technical Tester for their new garment line targeting sailboat racers. My education in high-performance fabrics and reliable multi-purpose apparel had begun.
In 2004 after leaving AC Nielsen as vice-president of Global Business Development I founded BluWave Solutions at the urging of fellow Grand pix sailboat racing friends needing a new approach to semi-custom banded crew uniforms. I developed an approach focusing on performance, comfort, reliable and durable garments and accessories from the world's best brands. I dealt with each boat and their unique needs by understanding the crew and anticipated racing conditions. Regardless of anticipated racing conditions all boats required maintaining body temperature and moisture management. The last step in the approach to analyze and to develop a Branding Guide provide each with a unique identify including fabric color pallets and logo locations and sizes. I also analyzed the boats desired brand image. The end result was a on-demand semi-custom branded crew kit for each boat and their global events.
Clients included Volvo Around the World Race boats, winners of the Transpac, Sydney Hobart, Maxi Worlds, Farr 40 Worlds, TP 52 Series and many others.
In 2019, I modified the Bluwave approach and set about producing semi-custom, sustainable high-performance garments for boats and consumers. I believed boat crews and a growing number of consumers wanted 1 garment for racing, active lifestyle, social activities and long-distance travel. Each wanted to "Buy Less, Wear longer and Throw fewer garments into landfills". In order deliver high performance reliable and durable everyday apparel support this market I developed a new set of global suppliers, fabrics, trim and manufacturing each meeting elements of the HIGG Index.
In 2021 I launched Honest Apparel after completing round after round of garment design, and construction, fabric analysis, prototyping and wear testing. These sustainable high performance semi-custom garments are for ready for boats and consumers. Another long-term goal to develop one of the smallest carbon footprints among Apparel companies and delivering certified Sustainability in terms economic, social and environmental areas.
I have been asked why I chose the name “Honest Apparel”. It is simple – it is who I am, and what I do. I sell garments of the highest quality at fair prices in a fully vetted and transparent manner. While other apparel brands manufacture in countries offering sweatshop salaries and materials requiring the use of vast natural resources, I knew mine had to be different; honestly.
By the end of 2021 Honest Apparel will be meet a 70% threshold of the HIGG Index and work to a 80% threshold in 2022. Offering Limited Editions will reduce the pollution and waste associated with the Apparel industry as well as continuing to operate a virtual and vertical business approach.
Honest Apparel is not for everyone. We won’t be the largest in sales volume or expand our assortment just to gain a larger market share. The company will focus on use of leading edge yet proven sustainable high-performance fabrics and trims. We will produce in the USA. The company’s style, comfort, sustainable, long-wearing, reliable clothing will be sold at a Fair Price. If these values speak to you, then it is safe to suggest we are a match. Welcome to Honest Apparel.
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