From Penn State to Purpose-Driven Fashion: The Rise of Archer Wren
- Molly Sneddon
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
"Archer Wren was born out of a shared desire to make better basics for people and the planet. The three of us, Skye, Mallory, and Gianna, wanted to design comfortable, size-inclusive, thoughtfully made underwear and swimwear that feels as good as it looks," explained Gianna Shawley, Penn State graduate, State College resident, and Co-Founder of Archer Wren.
Archer Wren is on a mission to provide sustainable, inclusive underwear and swimwear that "feels as good as it looks". And they don't just talk the talk; their garments are crafted with organic cotton by women-owned, small-scale manufacturers.
For the month of July, State College residents could shop Archer Wren in-person at the Calder Way Pop-Up, conveniently located downtown. This experience was unique, allowing Gianna to reconnect with her Penn State roots and honor the university that helped shape her morals.
"Penn State played a huge role in shaping the values that led to Archer Wren," Gianna explained. "I graduated in 2015, and while I was there, I took courses that opened my eyes to the environmental and human cost of conventional garment production. Learning about the labor abuses and seeing the reality of events like Rana Plaza forced me to think deeply about what sustainability really means".
The Rana Plaza collapse, described by the New York Times as "the deadliest accident in the history of the garment industry", occurred on April 24, 2013, killing over 1,100 people. According to Penn State Engineering, "multiple factors led to the inadequacy of the design of the building's structure, including illegal construction, poor regulation of codes and inspections, and dangerous ignorance by the managerial staff". Just one day before the collapse, large cracks in the building were noticed, but employees were still brought in to work. This tragedy "exposed the price paid by low-wage garment workers in the global South" and brought to light the reality of the fast fashion industry (New York Times).
" To me, sustainability has to include people," Gianna concluded. "Fashion is not truly sustainable if workers aren’t being treated fairly. That core belief continues to guide everything we do at Archer Wren".
Focusing on sustainability has been a core feature of Archer Wren's success. As Gianna explains, "Sustainability is at the heart of every decision we make. From the fabrics we source, like organic cotton and recycled nylon, to our U.S.-based production model, we’ve built the brand around doing better by the planet and by people. We work with women-owned manufacturing partners and we prioritize small-batch ethical production. This deep commitment to transparency and responsibility has helped us build a loyal community that values both the product and the mission behind it".
These choices have proven both ethically and financially sound, allowing Archer Wren to differentiate itself from other underwear brands. "It’s more than just using better fabrics," notes Gianna. "We approach sustainability holistically. Our materials are made with natural and recycled fibers, our packaging is low-waste, and our garments are sewn ethically in the U.S.".
Beyond that, their inclusive sizing have allowed them to make their products more widely attainable. "Access to ethically made, comfortable essentials shouldn’t be limited. Most brands either prioritize sustainability or inclusivity but we’re determined to do both, and our customers see and appreciate that," explained Gianna.
And their customers have definitely taken notice. With over 5,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, Archer Wren has built a strong following that shares their values. The likes and follows on their social media quickly turned into real-world connections as Archer Wren began selling in-person in State College. "Being in the pop-up space at 236 E. Calder Way gave us our first opportunity to connect with people in person since we launched last November" recounts Gianna. "Customers who knew us from online were excited to finally touch and try on the products, and many ended up leaving with more than they expected! Even with slower summer foot traffic, we’ve had great conversations about fabric, fit, and values. People come in to cool off and stay to chat about sustainability and garment construction. This is exactly the kind of community we hoped to foster".
This isn't the first time that Archer Wren founders have built a successful company based around inclusivity and sustainability. Fellow Archer Wren founders, Mallory and Skye, had founded Hope&Plum, providing award-winning baby carriers built on their shared values. Hope&Plum has since been featured by media outlets such as The Bump, Babylist, and Motherly, and built a 150,000+ following across their social media platforms. Mallory and Skye brought their experience with Hope&Plum to Archer Wren, continuing their ethical commitments in a new form.
As for the future of Archer Wren, Gianna, Mallory, and Skye will not waver on their commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. "We’re building something intentionally," Gianna states. "We want to expand our offerings while continuing to explore sustainable materials without losing sight of the values we started with. We're here for the long haul, growing with purpose, listening to our community, and staying rooted in ethical, sustainable production."
Thank you to Gianna Shawley for speaking with us! To keep up to date with all things Archer Wren, visit https://archerwren.com or follow them on Instagram @archerwren and TikTok @archer_wren.
If you have a business you would like featured on the blog, please contact us at smealsustainability@gmail.com.
Comments