We recently connected with Britta Wilson and have shared our conversation below.

Britta, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

During the 1980’s. (There needs to be a comma here instead of a period) I was a model and actress in Los Angeles. My job would take me to exotic locations, one being Japan, where I discovered and fell in love with the Japanese summer yukata. It was my dream at that time to share this unique, comfortable and fashionable robe with women in the West.

I started working in the animal field after my Hollywood career, and while I was a trainer at the San Diego Zoo, I decided to go back to school to learn about fashion so I could bring my dream to reality. I decided that rather than importing the Japanese summer yukatas from Japan, I would design a robe with more of a western flair and with organic cotton rather than traditional cotton.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an eighth generation San Diegan. I grew up on the beach in the north county coastal area of San Diego between Del Mar and Leucadia. I spent my youth at the beach and have been heavily influenced by the beach, ocean and surf culture. I have also been a lover of animals since a small child, and my mother nurtured this love and passion in me as I grew older.

My childhood experiences and my passions in life have influenced my designs and my goals for my company. For instance, a portion of my proceeds are donated to charities and non-profits who are committed to protecting our oceans and wild lands and protecting animals, whether in the wild or in a domestic setting. My longer term goal is to be a philanthropist for the environment and animals.

I think what sets me apart from my competitors is that I use Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) cotton. The GOTS vision is that organic textiles will become a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people’s lives and the environment. And their mission is the development, implementation, verification, protection and promotion of GOTS. This standard stipulates requirements throughout the supply chain for both ecological and labor conditions in textile and apparel manufacturing using organically produced raw materials. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. In addition, it includes welfare standards for animal husbandry and prohibits genetically modified organisms.

And lastly, my robes are made in California. This is important to me because I want to support our local workers and economy, as well have better oversight of the robes that I create.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Sure.

In 2012 I made the difficult decision to put BrittaWear on the “back burner” so to speak. I had a personal setback that changed my life and knew I could not sustain BrittaWear, With that said, I also knew in my heart it would not be the end of BrittaWear.

Over the years, many of my former customers have contacted me wanting to purchase another robe and have expressed how much they love their robe. Some customers have purchased multiple robes. Reading their messages has always warmed my heart and solidified my desire to return to what I love… creating beautiful, unique, eco-friendly robes that are cherished for years to come. But it was not until the pandemic of 2020 and after much soul searching, as many people had during the pandemic, that I felt it was time for me to resurrect BrittaWear.

In fall of 2021, after nearly ten years, I returned to my dream and resurrected BrittaWear. Staying true to what was important to me when I first launched BrittaWear in 2005, respecting our environment, people and animals; using certified organic cotton in my designs; having my robes sewn in the USA, and donating a portion of my proceeds to nonprofit organizations which support a clean, natural environment and the compassionate treatment of animals, I am now selling my robes again!

I am hopeful that the second time around I will have the success that I desire.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

My business is self funded. I am and have considered investors,(This should say, “I have considered investors) but I am going to try it on my own for now and see how it goes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brittawear.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittawear/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittawear/

Image Credits
First image: Bindi Tantod Other images of models: Britta Wilson