About Affine

Our Approach

With comfort and quality in mind, Affine uses natural fiber fabrics to create useful, comfortable, and ethically made clothing. To achieve this, Affine designs timeless garments and produces them locally in Canada. In addition, everything we make is produced in small runs to ensure each garment ends up in the hands of an adoring owner, rather than adding to landfill waste.

Furthermore, Affine takes back leftover fabric from production to use in smaller projects and to give away to other makers, utilizing material that would otherwise be discarded. We are fully aware of what is left behind, and we put it to use! If you are looking for small-ish pieces of fabric, give us a shout!

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Irena Kongsuwan, Founder, Designer

Irena, a visual artist who works in various mediums, and has had a lifelong passion for clothing. In her youth, no closet in the home was safe from her experimental styling (much to the family's dismay). Today, applying this passion to experiment, design and make clothes for herself and others is her aim. Furthermore proving it can be done ethically is most important to her.

Irena is actively focused on the creation of clothing that feels comfortable and looks great. When we feel great, it shows we are comfortable and confident. In this pursuit, Irena carefully selects natural fiber fabrics as the logical choice. Above all, she aims to create functional pieces that the wearer will cherish and continue to use time and again. Take a look at Irena's latest designs:

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In her free time Irena can be found in a paint-covered apron, dreaming of warm places by the sea.

See her artwork on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/irenamk/

What's in a Name?

Affine in Italian means 'descended from the same root'. This idea of inheriting values and a way of life from our ancestors is connected to traditional, proven ways of clothing people. For instance, linen has been used for thousands of years and is still one of the best, longest lasting fabrics in use today.

Irena carries on the values of her Southern European Grandmother's as the values that frame her ethically made clothing brand:

1. Respect and value all the Earth's resources. Fabric and clothing take energy and resources to make and will not be wasted.

2. Make things well, then take care of them. We will make quality, thoughtfully designed pieces to keep them in use as long as possible.

3. Every thing we do matters. We will be thoughtful in how we make clothes because actions add up and make a difference, whether good or bad.

Location

We live and work on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi  (Blackfoot Confederacy) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.

Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis”  which we now call the City of Calgary.