theth3rdlevel blog

Tokyo 2020 is the first time the sport of skateboarding is being included at the Olympics. It's obvious that Skateboarding is on the up and never before has there been so much interest in it from young people all over the world.

And we at Th3rdlevel are taking it as a sign. You see, when we started out just over a year ago... we knew we wanted to start an ethical clothing brand but starting up a new business is a steep learning curve. It has taken us a while to establish exactly who our audience was. Only recently have we taken a step back, looked at who was supporting us, who was buying our gear and who we felt most comfortable amongst.

Our customers tend to be younger people, or the young at heart, with a strong moral compass, who want to wear ethically produced streetwear that will last. They're not into fast fashion but they are into loving the clothes they wear and they want to really wear them. They're into comfort and wearing the clothes they love whilst doing the things that they love doing. (It shouldn't be a choice between the two) They're supporters of inclusion and are proud of our ethos of mentoring young adults with disabilities, they know that our inclusive and diverse team is one of the most creative possible because of how we work and support our mentored young people. And they're active. Amongst our squad, we have gymnasts, we have bonafide ninjas, we have runners, we have scooter boys and girls, we have BMXers, we have work-from-home-kitchen-dancers... and we have our ever growing crew of skaters... supporting us and proud to be wearing our th3rdlevel brand. 

So. Here's to the future, here to the success of skating. Here's to the positive attitude that surrounds the sport. Here's to the camaraderie and the encouragement and the friendship and the feeling of being a part of something. 

 Here's to the future of th3rdlevel. Bring it.

Our garments will last. We want you to wash them and wear them again and again knowing that they will only get softer and more comfortable over time. We want you to be safe in the knowledge that they are created from high quality, organic, sustainable materials. Many recycled. Most importantly we want you to LOVE your Th3rdlevel clothes, so much that If they ever should need repair, we want you to be familiar with a service that can easily do that for you. And thats why we love the concept of Sojo.

Th3rdlevel clothes do not belong in landfill. Th3rdlevel customers are planet friendly customers. 

Buy well. Live well. Support planet friendly endeavours.

Read more

Check US out! We're getting good at photoshoots! (Are we allowed to say that?) In the year that Th3rdlevel has been going, we have learnt pretty much EVERYTHING in our ethical business model from scratch. To do that we have picked the brains of our hugely talented team and also have surrounded ourselves with a truly wonderful support network of friends, helpers and advisors who have held our hands and worked with us along the way. And for them we are TRULY grateful. Very soon we will be launching our Dog doodle themed #summerrange and it's going to be pretty special thanks to everyone's support so far :-)

For the first time, we were able to host the most amazing photoshoot - Finally one where we didn't have a soaring heat wave and not enough fans, a global pandemic so not enough available models, or a freezing warehouse with all the doors open for ventilation... and you know what? It was an absolute JOY! And we think you'll be able to see it on our models faces when we launch next week.

So THAT'S the blog. That feeling right there. Thats us.

What we do here is ethical fashion, the quality of the products and the message that we do not need to destroy our planet to achieve crazy cool Streetwear is massively important to us.... but MOST important to us is the people in our team, the inclusion of everyone regardless of their disabilities, mentoring young people who we can watch gain confidence in front of our eyes, is what it's all about.

Watch out for our models in our summer range and you'll see it too.

You may have noticed that here at Th3rdlevel we tend to do things a little differently. And this month has been no different. When most businesses are reeling from the shock of the lockdown and the economic implications it brought with it, and taking steps to move their experience online and away from the High Street. Our path, as always, leads us somewhat sideways and in another direction.

Starting up our business during the pandemic was unexpected and of course,  challenging in so many ways. We wouldn't recommend it. BUT - on the other hand it did give us opportunities to take our time, to think things through, to begin our journey online where all the other established businesses were suddenly finding themselves suddenly having to switch anyway... and so we find ourselves quite comfortable with our online offering after a year of trading and inspired now to tentatively spread our wings.

Opportunity dropped into our laps with the offer from Printybanana to take on a share, under their - very supportive - umbrella, at the newly opened AltonEmporium. ( A Town Council lead initiative to breathe life back into the high Street by supporting small local business with rolling and shared rental agreements) 

And so we find ourselves, one short month later, with our spring range sat nestled into the shelves and rails of the gloriously brilliant Alton Emporium and the next stage of our adventure begins! The young adults with disabilities we work with will now have even more  opportunities to experience working within a retail environment and we are delighted to now have the potential to be able to safely offer this as part of our mentoring program.

You can find Th3rdLevel at The PrintyBanana. Part of the Alton Emporium on the Market Square in Alton, Hampshire and will be welcomed by huge grins should you happen to pop in and say hello. 

With a brand new #Skatepark recently finished in Alton and a team of dedicated and enthusiastic people encouraging us all the way - we think our latest ranges of #ethical #Streetwear and #Skatewear will fit very nicely in the town and will help to breathe life and vigour  back into a depleted area of retail. 

As ever, we massively appreciate your custom and your support! 

Read more