RESTORE Clothing Through the Years

It all started with a big designer project—five weeks to create large-scale promotional materials for department stores. We sourced and printed fabric for tablecloths and banners. The result: 15,000 sets, 60,000 yards, and, 34 miles of fabric in total, used for just two weeks and then discarded. The quick profit was tempting, but instead of seeing it as a win, we saw an opportunity for change. We began pushing mills to create fabrics with recycled content, which at the time, wasn’t the norm in the industry.

That moment sparked a shift in how we approached everything. From that point on, every project was viewed through a sustainability lens. While most of the industry saw this excess as waste, few did recycle cutting room scraps into non-wearable goods like carpets, backpacks, and upholstery. We set out to do something different. We partnered with mills to develop the first wearable, recycled nylon, which revolutionized what we thought apparel from recycled fabric could be used for. It shifted the mindset that sustainability in fashion is possible with a little extra effort. This was just the beginning of our belief that fashion could be a force for good.

RESTORE officially launched as a brand, and we quickly became known for pushing the boundaries of what was possible in sustainable fashion. Thanks to partnerships with companies like Unifi—who recycle water bottles into fiber for fabric—we were nominated for a leadership and sustainability award (and won). But beyond accolades, we were helping shape an entirely new category of clothing: activewear designed for everyday life, made with the first recycled nylon to hit the market—well ahead of every major outdoor brand. At the time, the concept was disregarded by major fashion magazines, but we knew we were onto something. That early vision laid the foundation for what became an ongoing quest to innovate and find better, more sustainable ways of creating apparel.

While the company has gone through several iterations over the decades, our founding principle has never changed:

“We believe that what we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in them. The skin is our largest organ—porous and breathable—so it's not such a leap from table to T-shirts. From food dye to fabric dye, processed food to manufacturing processes, nothing is benign.”
— Anthony Lilore, 2008

As RESTORE evolved, so did our role. What began as a brand grew into a full-service consultancy, offering design, sourcing, development, and production services that help brands rethink how things are made. Our approach has always been about moving beyond the status quo, pushing boundaries to make meaningful change. Today, we partner with brands that are looking to make a lasting impact from the ground up. Sustainability remains our foundation, but it’s the creativity, strategy, and collaboration we bring to every project that sets us apart. Yes, we make products, and we do so with regard to future impact.