ADVENTURER AND DRYROBE ATHLETE: Ross Edgley (Image: NC)
Annual sales have soared 30 percent to over £2 million for the north Devon-based company’s lightweight, wind and waterproof chill slayers, designed to be like shelters slipping easily over whole outfits. Renowned as a staple among surfers, dryrobe’s power to ward off exposure to the elements has seen it break through beyond the beach and taken up by athletes and spectators in other sports from triathlon to mountain biking. Activity-wise dog walkers, campers and explorers have also come on board, and most recently TV and film production companies keen to keep their stars and their expensive costumes toasty and in perfect condition between takes.
Poldark’s Aidan Turner and Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington have both been spotted on set snuggled in the brand’s latest Advance design (from £110).
dryrobe began in classic start-up fashion eight years ago when surfer Gideon Bright started developing a prototype in his garden shed, inspired by a post-waves cape his mum had run up for him years before.
Today the business, backed by private investment, employs around 20 full and part time here, makes in China and now sells directly online to Europe and the US and through retailers.
Critical to its success are the robe’s versatile design and structure, while healthier and more active lifestyles have helped
