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. Exception was able to interview the brand's founder, Delphine Labordes, who introduced us to Thyrs' philosophy.

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L'Exception: Where did the inspiration for the name "Thyrs" come from?
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 of creating 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 the 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: satchels, 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...Bags for everyday, lightweight, easy to wear, casual yet chic, moving 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 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 fur made from hemp. 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 us to reuse the leaves of the pineapple plant that are traditionally thrown away 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 from eco-friendly 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 chestnut and quebracho extracts. 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 component elements of our bags and the ethical conditions of production.
To our customers, who can sometimes be lost with the notions of eco-responsibility, it is an external guarantee that assures them of the validity of our eco-responsible approach. This issue is as much for accessories brands as it is for ready-to-wear brands.Also, since December 2021 we have joined the leather goods program of LA CASERNE, the responsible fashion incubator dedicated to the fashion and luxury industry.


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 know-how of leatherwork. 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 steps from the fiber used. Our approach aims to raise customer awareness, that they are more vigilant when making a purchase, that we all move towards a more responsible fashion.