The Road To Fashion-Forward Sun Protection Clothing

Why I Started Heliades

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share the story behind Heliades, your new favorite fashion sun protection apparel brand.

The Problem With Sun Protective Clothing

For years, I've been on a personal mission to protect my skin from the sun's harmful rays. Like you, I realized that sun exposure doesn't just lead to premature wrinkles and spots but can also have more severe consequences.

However, the existing options for sun protection left much to be desired. The athletic and beachwear aesthetic wasn't exactly my idea of everyday fashion, and the limited color choices (white, tan and blue) hardly matched my style.

How Heliades Was Born

So, what did I do? I decided to take matters into my own hands and created Heliades. I knew I had a lot to learn about the fashion industry, manufacturing, and the science behind sun protection fabrics. It was a leap from the tech world, but my dedication to sun safety pushed me forward.

What did that leap actually look like? I spent a few years researching UPF fabric science, sourcing OEKO-TEX certified textiles, and learning garment construction from scratch. None of it came from a fashion background, I came from tech. But sun safety isn't optional for me, and I wasn't going to wait around for someone else to make the clothes I wanted to wear.

Fashion's Environmental Problem

Fashion is one of the most polluting industries on the planet — textile waste, chemical runoff, and mass overproduction all play a part. Learning this changed how I wanted to build Heliades from day one. Small-batch production wasn't just a quality decision. It was an inventory solution and a pollution decision. Working exclusively with BLUESIGN Partners, producing in small batches, and making to order all help us to manage that impact

Small-Batch, Made in California

I chose to produce our designs in small quantities right here in Northern California because it allows us to oversee every step of the process, ensuring that each piece meets our high standards. We believe in quality over quantity, and we think you'll feel the difference when you wear our creations.

Fabric With Permanent, Built-In UPF 50+ Protection

One of our key decisions was to use fabric with inherent, permanent sun protection qualities. Weaving titanium dioxide into the fabric threads ensures that your garments offer reliable protection wash after wash. No more worrying about chemicals washing out or harming the environment.

What UPF 50+ Actually Means

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how much UV radiation a fabric blocks, UPF 50+ blocks more than 98% of the sun's rays. Unlike sunscreen, it doesn't wear off, wash out, or need reapplying every two hours. You put it on once, and it works all day.

OEKO-TEX and BLUESIGN Certified, Chemical-Free

But that's not all; we're committed to 'doing no harm.' Our fabric, thread and buttons are all OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring they're safe for your skin, body, and the environment.

Sun Protection That Doesn't Sacrifice Style

My goal with Heliades is simple yet profound: to design fashionable UPF 50+ sun protection apparel in prints and fun colors that not only safeguards your skin, but also complement your personal style, allowing you to protect your skin while feeling confident and chic.

I've said goodbye to my old black running hoodie, and I invite you to embrace sun protection in style with Heliades. Together, we can pro-age gracefully and confidently!

What Daily Armor Looks Like

These days, sun protection isn't something I think about, it's just what I put on. No sunscreen reapplication, no remembering to reapply between meetings or errands. That's the whole point of Daily Armor, it's protection you don't have to manage - just put it on and put it out of your mind as you go about your day.

Join the Heliades Community

If my story resonates with you, I'd like to invite you to join our Heliades Community!

You can sign up here or use the form below. Thanks for reading!

#getheligirl #wearUPF #defendyourglow