A Brighter View of '22
It might be the days getting longer after the Solstice, or the winter sunshine after the storms that turned everything white at Anián HQ over the holidays.
But it’s more than that, too—as we take a glimpse back at the year that was, we can’t help but feel that things got a bit brighter in 2022.
To start, we’re proud to share that with the help of everyone who bought an Anián garment this year, we recycled around 300,000 pounds of used post-consumer textiles—five times more than we did when we started tracking our totals in 2019.
Turning trash into beautiful and durable treasure is the heart of what we do, and it’s been encouraging to see how that mission has been supported by our community. As we expanded our selection in ’22, we were able to introduce new styles like the Metchosin Coat, the Service Shirt and the Cashmino sweaters—all with recycled natural blends—and launch our collection of Circular tees, hoodies and crews made from recycled cotton, organic cotton and recycled polyester.
As restrictions relaxed and travel opened up, we also had the opportunity for some rewarding, face-to-face collaborations with our suppliers as we create more sustainable supply chains and explore new ways to rescue thrown-away clothing from the landfill. Closer to home on the West Coast, you would’ve found us knee-deep in brilliantly-coloured ripstop as we started upcycling material for a unique project that we’ll be floating your way soon. 
Looking beyond our recycling efforts, we were also proud to launch our Resell program, an online platform aimed at giving gently worn Anián garments an adventurous second life. Resell has been going even better than we’d hoped—it’s creating new connections between sellers and buyers, and since we design our clothing to last, it’s making sure those garments are staying out in the world for a good long time to come.
For all of us at Anián, however, the people were the biggest highlight of 2022.
After a few challenging years of uncertainties and shutdowns, it felt like our family started finding its optimistic spirit. Though being mindful of everyone’s comfort and safety is still an important reality for us, we were finally able to throw parties, meet new friends in our stores and connect with our real-life communities in ways we’d been truly missing.
Over the course of the year, we even had a chance to speak to students in high schools and elementary schools about what circularity means and how they can help build a more sustainable future. Those were some of the most memorable conversations we had in the last 12 months, and we might have learned more than the students did—it’s always great to have a shift in perspective, and to be reminded how important creativity and a bit of rebellion are as we all work towards positive change.
So as the calendar turns over to 2023, we wanted to take a pause and send our love and thanks to everyone who’s supported and accompanied us this year—our staff, friends and suppliers, and our incredible customers most of all. 
We couldn’t do any of this without you, and we’re excited to forge ahead into the New Year and beyond. Whether it’s in the fashion industry or in society at large, there are plenty of challenges ahead for all of us, and the solutions to them won’t be worked out overnight. But good things take time, and we’re here for the long haul.
A safe and happy New Year to all,
Anián