Ethical, Sustainable & Ultra-Cosy Sleepwear (Win!)

We’ve really gotten used to our loungewear—like, everyday kind of used to it. So, needless to say, we’ve really started to look and ask for more from our comfy cosies. Enter Riot Theory, a Vancouver-based, women-run company that creates ethical and sustainable loungewear and sleepwear that has been thoughtfully designed with our sleep, the environment, and those who inhabit it in mind. We chatted with founder Samantha Margetson to find out what sets her super-soft and oh-so-cosy robes, nighties, pjs and sleep accessories apart from the rest. —Noa Nichol

Hi Samantha! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start?

I grew up B.C.’s Lower Mainland and currently live about an hour outside the city. After graduating high school, I enrolled in a Fashion Marketing program at a local university and then went on to complete my business degree while working full time in the industry. I gained a lot of valuable experience and learned a lot from other small business owners that allowed me to jump in and have the confidence to start my own business, Riot Theory.

When and why did you launch Riot Theory? What niche were/are you aiming to fill

I launched Riot Theory in 2017. At this time, I had just graduated University and wanted to create something that was all my own and gain some experience along the way. I started out with creating a curated collection of ready-to-wear pieces, but I later found an amazing niche in sleepwear (and everything comfy/cozy!) and decided to run with it. I officially relaunched the brand in December of 2019 and haven’t looked back!

What products do you currently offer/carry? Bestselling pieces are:

We currently offer a selection of sleep and loungewear styles manufactured using bamboo rayon and Tencel/cotton—fabrics that are like butter! Our bestselling style is the Lauren PJ’s, followed closely by the Rumer and Ella PJ’s. It was important that we offer a variety of styles because everyone likes to sleep in something different, and they’re not willing to stray from that! If you’re a hot sleeper, you don’t want full length pants and a long-sleeve top—you want an airy tank and shorts, regardless of what time of year it is!

How do you design styles that keep our sleep, the environment, and those who inhabit it in mind? / Please tell us more about your approach to sustainability and running an ethical fashion label?

One of the most important parts of our business is designing styles that are comfortable for the wearer—if it’s not comfortable, you’re not going to wear it! But the reality of the fashion industry is that it can be very harmful, both to people and the environment. There is a tremendous amount of waste that has been fueled by the “fast-fashion” aspect of the industry. It has always been extremely important to me that the brand I create not only minimizes our impact as much as we can, but also continues to innovate with our partners to reduce our impact on an on-going basis. Our materials are responsibly sourced from around the world with the lowest impact, and highest opportunity for environmental innovation. Bamboo, for example, is the fastest growing tree in the world and naturally produces a bio-agent that allows it to flourish in the wild without the use of pesticides. Our pieces are dyed in bluesign certified facilities to eliminate harmful substances from the start of the manufacturing cycle. To help preserve nature, materials and practices are introduced that prevent the use of harmful toxins, destructive pesticides, and excessive water and energy consumption at the production level. Rainwater and recycled water are harvested during the production of our pieces to help preserve the world’s clean drinking supply. Renewable wind energy is also used to power machines and conserve energy levels throughout production.

What Riot Theory styles are you currently rocking to sleep, and around the house?!

My favourite style to sleep in right now is the Ella PJ’s! They’re a three-quarter sleeve and cropped pant, perfect for the spring. During the day I’m living in our new cotton capsule collection, especially the Stella Top (it’s just so flattering!). Our new cotton styles are the perfect pieces to throw on for elevated loungewear around the house, but also works perfectly with your favourite pair of jeans.

riottheory.com

Win! A $500 Riot Theory Gift Card!

Congrats Marta C. of Mississauga, ON, who will receive a $500 Riot Theory gift card! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.