Anna Birkás founder of ChickFly Credit: West Business Development Center
Meet Anna Birkás, an eco-feminist entrepreneur, hydrologist, and general engineering contractor based in Northern California.
Raised off-the-grid in Mendocino County among artist intellectuals who valued self-sufficiency and a close relationship with nature, Anna was inspired to study the natural sciences.
In 2009, Anna founded Village Ecosystems, focusing on ecological restoration and watershed management. Her experiences in the generally male-dominated field often meant inadequate bathroom access and that led Anna to develop Chickfly — an innovative line of women’s fashion featuring a patented, zipperless fly.
Chickfly pants have lots of pockets and a patented, zipperless fly Credit: Chickfly website
Chickfly designs shorts, pants, leggings and onesies with unique, patented flys that allow women to relieve themselves without removing their clothing. The design features two overlapping stretch fabric panels that pull apart and snap back into place, providing easy and discreet access. Check out Anna’s how to video here.
Chickfly’s patented zipperless fly feature Credit: Chickfly website
Made from sustainable materials like bamboo and merino wool, Chickfly pants are perfect for hiking, biking, kayaking, pregnancy and everyday wear. The brand emphasizes functionality, comfort, and environmental responsibility through the use of biodegradable fabrics and a circular economy.
Chickfly customer rock climbing Credit: Chickfly website
Find out what inspired Anna to create her “slow fashion” products that have a Canadian connection through Oratex’s Eco-tech fabrics. And, how Chickfly offsets its ecological footprint by offering, among other things, special sales where one tree is planted for every order sold. Tree plantings are done in collaboration with the environmental nonprofit, One Tree Planted, who also have restoration projects in Canada, Mexico, and countries around the world. So, far Chickfly has planted 576 trees!
Farmer wearing Chickfly pants runs a family farm in Vermont with her daughter who is wearing matching Chickfly pants Credit: Chickfly website
Chickfly is also in the process of expanding its offerings with really adorable underwear as well as styles for men and gender-neutral folk.
This interview goes beyond fashion trends crossing over into a sustainable way of designing, producing and selling fashion with a mission that goes beyond the ubiquitous red carpet and fashion icon runways. Anna uses a credit union; the shipping label company she uses employs blind workers; and she boycotts Amazon.
We also discuss what it means to be an ecofeminist in a patriarchal system and how we can move towards an egalitarian society.
Make time to listen to my intriguing conversation with Anna Birkás who views everything she does through a holistic, sustainable, ethical, inclusive, egalitarian and ecofeminist lens.
Chickfly Grandma lives on the land, takes van trips to Baja, hikes the Sierras, and watches her grandsons Credit: Chickfly website
Thanks to everyone who read today’s article and listened to my podcast. With your continued support, a little Nicoll can make a lot of change.
Music: Real Estate by UNIVERSFIELD is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. freemusicarchive.org.
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