SOLA︱The LABEL

Crafting Purposeful, Sustainable, and Stylish Surf Hats

Two years ago, we embarked on what we now call our Sola venture. My partner, Flora—a French surfer, journalist, and mom—and I, Catherine, a Canadian surfer and surfboard shaper, never imagined ourselves starting a business, let alone a surf brand centered on sustainability and style. But sometimes, the best ideas are born from frustration and necessity—and that’s exactly how Sola The Label came to be.

The Spark That Ignited Sola The Label

Our story begins on a surf trip in Costa Rica. Imagine long, sun-drenched days spent chasing waves for hours on end. We did everything we could to protect our skin, covering up with whatever hats we could find—but nothing quite worked. We needed a hat designed specifically for surfing—one that blended functionality, style, and sustainability. And that’s when the idea for Sola The Label was born. We set out to create the first small brand dedicated to producing recycled surf hats in North America and Europe, and we couldn’t have been more excited about it.

The Quest for the Perfect Hat

Sola’s ultimate goal is simple: to help surfers and outdoor lovers spend more time in the water, worry-free. To make this a reality, we wanted to design a hat that was not only stylish but also functional, comfortable—both in and out of the water—and ethically made from recycled materials. Easy, right?

Not quite. As we began researching fabrics and manufacturers, we quickly realized that navigating the world of sustainable production as a small business was far more challenging than we expected. Going green came with high costs and plenty of headaches, but we were determined to make it happen.

Overcoming the Hurdles

Weeks turned into months as we searched for a way to produce our hats as close to home as possible. But the harsh reality was that no manufacturer in Europe or North America would allow us to produce in small quantities—and the raw materials still had to come from China. We could have taken the easy route, sourcing materials from China while assembling in Europe to market our hats as “Made in the EU.” Instead, we chose transparency.

After reaching out to over 40 manufacturers, we finally connected with Afa. Our Zoom calls with her—often filled with sign language and Google Translate—quickly became one of the highlights of our journey. She gave us virtual tours of her factory, introduced us to her colleagues, and patiently worked with us through countless samples, tweaks, and tests using recycled polyester. After months of trial and error, we finally received the perfect prototype. It was time to move forward with production!

Collaborating with Talented Creators

A huge part of our journey has been collaborating with artists and surfers who inspire us. One of the most exciting partnerships was with Natalia Sanchez, a talented student from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Natalia designed hand-dyed prints for our first collection, adding a unique and personal touch to our hats. Watching her creative process unfold was truly inspiring, and her work brought our vision to life in a way we never could have imagined.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Sola The Label, sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Our commitment extends beyond the materials we use. Every decision we make, from fabric sourcing to packaging, is guided by our dedication to minimizing our environmental impact.

We use recycled polyester to reduce waste.
Our tags are crafted from compostable, recycled paper by a small family business in Costa Rica.
We produce in small batches to avoid overproduction.
We give back 1% of our revenue to environmental causes.

And this is just the beginning—we’re continuously exploring ways to improve and make our brand even more sustainable.

Looking Ahead

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built with Sola The Label, but this is just the start. Our hats are designed to empower surfers and outdoor enthusiasts to spend more time doing what they love—without worrying about the harmful effects of the sun. We believe style, function, and sustainability should go hand in hand, and we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in eco-conscious surf wear.

To everyone who has supported us—our friends, family, customers, and the incredible creators who have helped bring our vision to life—thank you. With Sola The Label, we’re not just making hats; we’re building a community of surfers and adventurers who are passionate about protecting the planet while having fun in the sun.

We can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next.

Thanks!

Catherine & Flora

Catherine Girard & Flora Desponts

Founders of Sola The Label

Additional Information

@sola.the.label