by L'Exception, on December 19, 2022
ECO X CEPTION leather goods brand committed to an ethical and more environmentally friendly approach, Thyrs revolves around a range of bags that revisit our daily essentials in a colorful palette. L'Exception was able to interview the brand's founder, Delphine Labordes, who introduced us to Thyrs' philosophy.
Delphine: The name Thyrs is inspired by "Thyrse". In Greek mythology, it is a large stick surrounded by ivy, ending in a pine cone. It evokes our committed approach, our "march" towards a more responsible fashion.
Delphine: I have held positions directing collections for various fashion houses and brands. For a few years and more particularly since the period of the first confinement, I was experiencing more and more badly the frantic rhythms of the collections, the overproduction, a certain waste of resources,...
This was no longer in phase with my personal values. I then wanted to work on a project that proposes a more sustainable fashion and respectful of the environment and people. I also wanted to express my creativity, which I couldn't do until now. And I wanted to change my approach to collections: making fewer models and small series to avoid overproduction. Finally, I had a desire for autonomy and entrepreneurship. The project to create the Thyrs brand started in February 2020 with the help of my husband, and the website opened in November 2020.
Delphine: The Thyrs brand revisits our everyday essentials and offers a colorful palette: besaces, messenger bags, tote bags, backpacks... I'm looking for a sleek, fairly timeless design with a high level of quality and a strong visual identity. Designs that are made to last, sustainable in the true sense of the word. Inspiration comes from 90's colored canvas satchels, vintage designs, saddlery details...Everyday bags, lightweight, easy to wear, casual yet chic, that move away from sportswear.
Delphine: We work with materials with an eco-responsible approach, certified and sourced as locally as possible.
The double-twill of our main line is made of 60% coton GOTS and Fairtrade certified organic and 40% recycled polyester. Recycled polyester requires 35% 'less energy and gives off 59% less CO² emissions than conventional polyester.
In addition, we have selected a vegan hemp-based fur. This fur is knitted in the Vosges region of France from hemp and recycled polyester, unlike most faux furs that are made entirely from synthetic materials made from petroleum. Hemp is one of the most ecological materials available. It requires very little water and no pesticides.
We also offer a model made from Piñatex®. This is an alternative material to leather, made from fibers extracted from pineapple leaves. This allows for the reuse of pineapple plant leaves that are traditionally discarded or burned. Piñatex® is therefore made from a natural waste product, using low water consumption and without using any harmful chemicals.
Delphine: Our designs are made of eco-responsible fabric with vegetable tanned leather details. This is a natural leather whose tanning is made from vegetable oils and tannins, in the case of our leather, based on extracts of chestnut and quebracho. Vegetable tanning guarantees quality, durability and a remarkable appearance while considerably limiting the ecological balance of our leather: it does not involve toxic substances for humans or the environment.
Our leather is even Ecotan certified (label certifying vegetable tanning), using dyes such that it is recyclable, it then meets the criteria of the Cradle to Cradle label (label guaranteeing the reuse of products).
Delphine: Indeed, we strive to offer materials and treatments (spinning, dyeing, laminating...) that are certified: GOTS, Fairtrade, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, GRS, Reach... It is a strong constraint, but it allows us to be sure of the origin and traceability of the elements that make up our bags and of the ethical conditions of production.outside guarantee that assures them of the validity of our eco-responsible approach. This issue is as much for accessories brands as for ready-to-wear brands.
And furthermore, since December 2021 we have joined the leather goods program of La Caserne, the responsible fashion gas pedal dedicated to the fashion and luxury sector.
Delphine: Our bags are handcrafted in France, respecting the leather-working know-how. We work with two partner workshops, one in Ile de France, the other in Normandy. They are small structures of 10-15 people, one of which is in a development phase. One of the two workshops employs a few people with mild disabilities. We have "grown up" together in our respective development.
In addition to a control of environmental and social production conditions, we seek to produce as close as possible for a minimal carbon impact. We therefore favor materials sourced in France or in Europe (Italy, Belgium, Spain), from suppliers such as Charvet, Telatex, Peltex,...
In a desire for transparency, our bag lines are named by their manufacturing radius: 272KM, 404KM,...And we display on our website the locations of all the manufacturing stages from the fiber used. Our approach aims to raise awareness among customers, that they are more vigilant when making a purchase, that we all move towards a more responsible fashion.
Where did you get the inspiration for the name "Thyrs"?
Delphine: The name Thyrs is inspired by "Thyrse". In Greek mythology, it is a large stick surrounded by ivy, ending in a pine cone. It evokes our committed approach, our "march" towards a more responsible fashion.
Could you describe the beginning of the Thyrs adventure? What was the trigger?
Delphine: I have held positions directing collections for various fashion houses and brands. For a few years and more particularly since the period of the first confinement, I was experiencing more and more badly the frantic rhythms of the collections, the overproduction, a certain waste of resources,...
This was no longer in phase with my personal values. I then wanted to work on a project that proposes a more sustainable fashion and respectful of the environment and people. I also wanted to express my creativity, which I couldn't do until now. And I wanted to change my approach to collections: making fewer models and small series to avoid overproduction. Finally, I had a desire for autonomy and entrepreneurship. The project to create the Thyrs brand started in February 2020 with the help of my husband, and the website opened in November 2020.
What is your inspiration for Thyrs bags? How would you define the brand in terms of style?
Delphine: The Thyrs brand revisits our everyday essentials and offers a colorful palette: besaces, messenger bags, tote bags, backpacks... I'm looking for a sleek, fairly timeless design with a high level of quality and a strong visual identity. Designs that are made to last, sustainable in the true sense of the word. Inspiration comes from 90's colored canvas satchels, vintage designs, saddlery details...Everyday bags, lightweight, easy to wear, casual yet chic, that move away from sportswear.
Can you introduce us to some of the eco-responsible and/or more ethical materials you use to make your bags?
Delphine: We work with materials with an eco-responsible approach, certified and sourced as locally as possible.
The double-twill of our main line is made of 60% coton GOTS and Fairtrade certified organic and 40% recycled polyester. Recycled polyester requires 35% 'less energy and gives off 59% less CO² emissions than conventional polyester.
In addition, we have selected a vegan hemp-based fur. This fur is knitted in the Vosges region of France from hemp and recycled polyester, unlike most faux furs that are made entirely from synthetic materials made from petroleum. Hemp is one of the most ecological materials available. It requires very little water and no pesticides.
We also offer a model made from Piñatex®. This is an alternative material to leather, made from fibers extracted from pineapple leaves. This allows for the reuse of pineapple plant leaves that are traditionally discarded or burned. Piñatex® is therefore made from a natural waste product, using low water consumption and without using any harmful chemicals.
Your leathers are vegetable tanned, can you tell us more about this process?
Delphine: Our designs are made of eco-responsible fabric with vegetable tanned leather details. This is a natural leather whose tanning is made from vegetable oils and tannins, in the case of our leather, based on extracts of chestnut and quebracho. Vegetable tanning guarantees quality, durability and a remarkable appearance while considerably limiting the ecological balance of our leather: it does not involve toxic substances for humans or the environment.
Our leather is even Ecotan certified (label certifying vegetable tanning), using dyes such that it is recyclable, it then meets the criteria of the Cradle to Cradle label (label guaranteeing the reuse of products).
Your materials and processes benefit from many certifications guaranteeing quality, ethics and eco-responsibility. You also make sure to have a great traceability and to be transparent with your customers on these aspects. Can you explain to us why it seems important to you to ensure this traceability as well as to benefit from these labels?
Delphine: Indeed, we strive to offer materials and treatments (spinning, dyeing, laminating...) that are certified: GOTS, Fairtrade, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, GRS, Reach... It is a strong constraint, but it allows us to be sure of the origin and traceability of the elements that make up our bags and of the ethical conditions of production.
And furthermore, since December 2021 we have joined the leather goods program of La Caserne, the responsible fashion gas pedal dedicated to the fashion and luxury sector.
You produce locally in France. Can you tell us more about your French workshops? Regarding the sourcing of materials, is it important for you to get closer to more local partners?
Delphine: Our bags are handcrafted in France, respecting the leather-working know-how. We work with two partner workshops, one in Ile de France, the other in Normandy. They are small structures of 10-15 people, one of which is in a development phase. One of the two workshops employs a few people with mild disabilities. We have "grown up" together in our respective development.
In addition to a control of environmental and social production conditions, we seek to produce as close as possible for a minimal carbon impact. We therefore favor materials sourced in France or in Europe (Italy, Belgium, Spain), from suppliers such as Charvet, Telatex, Peltex,...
In a desire for transparency, our bag lines are named by their manufacturing radius: 272KM, 404KM,...And we display on our website the locations of all the manufacturing stages from the fiber used. Our approach aims to raise awareness among customers, that they are more vigilant when making a purchase, that we all move towards a more responsible fashion.
