First Principles is a brand started by Christopher Burke as an effort to get back to the heart of what makes fashion so special.
Each piece is built from the ground up with five core principles in mind: care for our people, care for our ecosystems, care for our stories, care for our bodies, and care for our planet. The result is a collection of garments that push back on the commodification of the modern fashion industry by telling the stories of the regional textile ecosystems that brought the fabrics to life and the dedicated craftspeople that created each piece.
On each care label you will find a simple question: "Are you ready to start a relationship with this garment?" Because the most critical aspect of each piece is you: how you style it, how you care for it, how you love and grow with it over time.
The result is a collection that feels a little bit more human, and we can't wait to grow in our relationship with you.
ABOUT US:
Our Partners:
American Woolen Company
AWC is a story of resilience and perseverance, and just so happens to make some of the finest woven and worsted woolen fabrics in the world. Based in Stafford Springs, CT, AWC was formerly owned by Italian luxury fabric manufacturer Loro Piana, before Jacob Long purchased the factory in 2014 in an attempt to revive domestic manufacturing.
AWC is a fully vertically integrated mill, meaning that once the raw wool fiber arrives in CT, it is processed entirely in house before making the 140 mile trip to our cut-and-sew partners in New York City. They are a key partner in making our dream of local luxury a reality!
Goldrush Stardust
Goldrush Stardust is the textile studio run by textile savant James Kimura-Green. When GS says “100% Good Taste,” they mean it, as evidenced by their incredible Made in the USA collection of fabrics.
You can see their work in our Stationery Shirt and Overjacket, and can be assured that we will feature many more of their fabrics in collections to come.
Emmelle Manufacturing
Located in the heart of the Garment District in New York City, Emmelle Manufacturing was founded by Mi Jong Lee, a designer with over 40 years experience in manufacturing apparel in New York.
Lee one the David Prize in 2024 for her investment in New York’s garment industry, and is a cheerleader for the talent and quality of our domestic workforce.
