Adam Taubenfligel shares how Triarchy is working to be the most responsible denim brand ever.
[Our jeans] will biodegrade in under 2 years at their end of life, instead of 200+ years for plastic stretch.
Not to mention the elimination of micro plastics entirely.
Earlier this summer, at the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network’s Annual General Meeting held at the UN, I had the opportunity to meet Adam Taubenfligel, the co-founder and creative director of Triarchy. Adam shared how Triarchy is pioneering the future of fashion with the world’s FIRST plastic-free stretch denim.
Unlike traditional stretch fabrics that rely on petroleum-based plastics, Triarchy uses natural rubber, thus eliminating the release of harmful microplastics into the environment. And their commitment to the planet doesn’t stop there. From their product Life Cycle Assessment to their Brand Responsibility, everything is detailed on their site –and it all starts from putting the planet first. In fact, their plastic-free stretch denim biodegrades in less than two years, enriching the soil instead of polluting the earth. Once I heard this, I needed to know more about this brand and its founders.
Katya/NKM: It says on the website that Triarchy is a family venture –you and your brother and sister. Were any of you in fashion before this? How did you start?
Adam: I worked in a denim factory in Italy, that is where I started my career. After a few years of learning denim on the factory floor I came back to North America where my brother was finishing his degree in business and I asked them to start the brand with me. My sister was already fit modeling for me with the Italian brands so it felt quite natural to start the business together. A Triarchy means three people ruling, so we three are the Triarchy.
And do you have clear roles within the company?
Yes we have very clear roles, even though we all wear many hats we never step on one another’s toes. If anything we all help with whatever, whenever it is needed. We have a very close family relationship so working together has never caused any issues with us. If problems arise, we address them, and move on.
I imagine denim is a challenging market. Why denim?
I always say that denim found me. I never sought it out, an opportunity to work in Italy presented itself and I took it. It’s as simple as this, and I never looked back. Denim is for sure a challenging market but honestly which market isn’t challenging? I think with denim we have consistency in product which makes it easier in the long run. It’s durable and timeless and that counts for a lot.
We were beyond excited to learn that you’ve created a plastic free stretch denim. How did you do that?!?
We have a very strict lens on responsibility and so eliminated plastic from our materials in 2018. It was through this refusal to use plastics that one of our denim mills began to suggest possible alternatives. So, with Candiani, we brought to market the world’s first and only plastic free stretch denim. Using natural rubber in place of crude oil based plastics. This means they will biodegrade in under 2 years at their end of life, instead of 200+ years for plastic stretch. Not to mention the elimination of micro plastics entirely.
A challenge for us at No Kill sometimes is getting our community to really understand the true cost of clothing. How do you convince someone to pay $300+ for jeans or do you simply target a higher end market?
Great question. It’s unfortunate that these innovations come with such a high price tag but this is how new technologies are always introduced. With scale, the cost comes down, but until then, we market to the demographic that is used to paying that amount.
What has been the biggest challenge so far with Triarchy?
Every day there is a new biggest challenge. Right now it’s being able to keep up with the marketing efforts of the brands we sell alongside.
When a brand has no responsibility efforts at all, they have a lot more money to spend on marketing. When a brand like ours focuses on bettering the industry, we have less money to spend on marketing. So it’s a real issue but we know what is important to prioritize.
What has been most rewarding so far with Triarchy?
The most rewarding thing about Triarchy is the team who makes Triarchy a reality. I am honored to work with such a dedicated and hard working group of women. Our team makes me so proud.
If there’s a person you’d love to see wearing Triarchy, who would it be and why?
Kate Middleton. I believe she would be an exceptional champion of our work.
What keeps you hopeful about the future?
That there are always people who care about what we do. Once people understand what we are doing and how important it is, I can always see that it means something to them, that it is important. I think the next generation is thinking about sustainability more as a base than a retroactive afterthought so I have faith that things will change away from mindless consumption.
Adam’s Favorite Things
Book: The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. A delicious read.
Also, my book. Setting an Intention.
Movie/Series: Ripley on Netflix. A true retelling of the Talented Mr Ripley, shot and edited in the way of the old movie masters. An equally delicious watch that pays respect to the original book. Don’t get me wrong, the film was amazing, but it strays from the source material quite a bit. This show is a masterpiece.
Creative Inspiration: Travel. Wandering. Light.
Food: Sushi in Vancouver or Pizza in Italy.
Trend that you like, Trend that you hate: Trends are created to fuel their consumption machine, and are absolute nonsense. I loathe them. If you know your personal style and you honor it then trends will always mean nothing to you.
Quality in a human being: Putting yourself first. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Person you admire: My Mother and Father.
Quote to live by:
You will never be able to control what happens in life, but you will always be able to control your reactions, and your reactions create your reality.
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