Èidean Origins
Built By Family
Èidean is shaped by the places and people who raised us. Our story began with the desire to create garments that feel familiar and are made to last, carrying meaning for years to come.
We wanted every part of the process to feel honest and intentional, from the way materials are sourced to the way each garment is made. Everyone involved is treated with care and paid fairly, because the integrity of the work matters as much as the final piece. We design with intention, choosing materials and methods that hold their value over time, honoring both where we came from and where we’re headed.
a name rooted in place
E E • D E N
Èidean (pronounced Eden) comes from the Gaelic Dùn Èidean, the name for the ancient fortified hill that would become Edinburgh, Scotland. When Scottish settlers later established Dunedin, New Zealand, they carried the same word with them.
Our family story connects both of these places. The knowledge of working with wool traveled from Scotland to New Zealand, where generations of our family lived, learned, and worked in textiles before Èidean was created.
The name reflects what matters to us: craftsmanship built over time, a respect for the land and the people who shape it, and a sense of continuity that passes from one generation to the next.
Our Tiaki Promise
Tiaki is a Māori principle meaning to care for, to protect, to conserve.
The Tiaki Promise is a New Zealand commitment to honor the land, its people, and its creatures. Because our story and our materials begin in Aotearoa, we carry this responsibility with us in how we create.
At Èidean, we are committed to honoring the land and its creatures with the utmost respect and care. We vow to give back generously to those who sustain us, nurturing a cycle of mutual respect and responsibility. By choosing Èidean, you join us in creating a more equitable and responsible relationship with the world – where every garment tells a story of care, innovation, and respect for the environment.
We are proud to uphold the values of the Tiaki Promise, which honors the care and protection of the land, its people, and its creatures.
Our Family Line
1920s
The Porteous family relocates from Galashiels, Scotland to New Zealand, carrying generations of textile knowledge and wool tradition with them.
Roots in Wool
1940s
George Porteous begins working at the Ross & Glendinning mill,continuing his family legacy in the textile industry that shaped daily life in the region.
Foundations of Care and Craft
1950s
George marries Cora Pedlar. Together, they raise their children, Stuart and Jane, in a home grounded in steady work and care for others.
Leading by Example
1980s
George manages the Bank Street Mill in Timaru, shaping a culture built on responsibility and treating people well.
New Zealand Heritage, American Home
1990s
Stuart moves to Houston, where he meets Becky. Their home becomes the next chapter of the family’s story, and they later welcome their sons, David and Travis.
Carrying Tradition Forward
2022
David begins developing a business plan grounded in ethical sourcing and responsible manufacturing while bringing his family’s heritage in the New Zealand textile industry to the United States.
Èidean begins
2024
Èidean is founded, bringing heritage, responsible production, and considered design together in modern knitwear.
The Yarn
Natural Fibers, Thoughtfully Sourced.
Our yarn is developed in New Zealand, where careful sourcing and responsible land stewardship guide every step. The blend of cotton, silk, and Koomal fiber creates a knit that is breathable, soft, and comfortable across seasons.
Each component is chosen for both performance and impact. Low-impact dyeing methods and small-batch production help reduce water use and minimize waste, ensuring the materials are handled with care from source to finished garment.
The result is a yarn that wears effortlessly, maintains its shape, and settles naturally with time.
This is the foundation of clothing made with intention.
The Garment
Designed with Intention. Crafted with Care.
We combine thoughtful design with modern 3D knitting technology to create garments with precision and minimal waste. Each piece is made to order in the United States, allowing us to stay closely connected to the people and process behind every knit.
Because each piece is knit to shape, it offers a clean, uninterrupted surface and a fit that naturally settles to the body over time. The construction supports comfort, movement, and long-term shape retention without excess weight or bulk.
Every detail reflects our belief that quality is something you feel: in comfort, in fit, and in the way a piece becomes part of your life. This is clothing created with purpose and built for everyday wear.
the design
Considered in form. Built for longevity.
Our design approach is guided by quiet consistency. We focus on fit, proportion, and feel, creating pieces that settle naturally into a wardrobe and are worn often. Rather than follow trends, we refine the essentials, prioritizing comfort, movement, and familiarity. Each garment is meant to feel at home from the start and to remain relevant across time. The kind of piece someone would have worn years ago, wears now, and will continue to reach for without thinking.
The Community
Made to be part of real life.
Èidean's garments are designed to be worn the way you actually live. Our pieces move easily from morning to evening, layering simply with what you already own. They work with denim, tailoring, everyday staples, and familiar favorites.
These garments are not seasonal statements or special-occasion pieces. They are the things you reach for without thinking. The ones that settle in quickly, feel right on the body, and continue to hold their shape and character over time.
Clothing should support your life, not ask you to change for it.
The People Behind Èidean
A small team working closely, with care.
Èidean is family-led and collaboratively built. We work in close partnership with skilled knit technicians, yarn specialists, and garment makers who share our values of care, responsibility, and thoughtful production.
We believe people should feel respected and supported in the work they do. Our relationships are ongoing, not transactional, and every piece reflects the hands, knowledge, and consideration of those who made it.
Good clothing starts with good relationships. The integrity of the process is part of what you feel when you wear it.
