NEW PRODUCT ALERT

by Laurie Berglie

Sixteen Cypress

Inspired by the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center circa 1940 through 1970 – think show jumping, fox hunting, evening polo matches shrouded in a heavy coastal fog – Sixteen Cypress draws from the local and the natural. Trails winding through dense groves of Monterey Cypress trees, adventures on the sandy, rocky coves of the Pacific Ocean, an array of wildlife fluttering by – that is where you will find Sixteen Cypress.

COMPLEMENTING THE HORSE, RIDER & TACK

The creative vision of Emily Factor, California native from Carmel’s 16th Avenue, Sixteen Cypress is built from the highest quality materials and made here in the USA. In 2008, armed with a BA in Fashion and Textile Print from London’s Central Saint Martins, Emily worked as an independent textile and apparel designer while also maintaining freelance and collaborative projects. As her career in the fashion industry began to take shape, Emily’s love of horses remained steadfast and she continued to ride and train. It was then that she started having visions of applying her skillset in product development and design to horses.

“As a business owner, I am new to the equine industry,” notes Emily. “However, I come with a lifetime of firsthand knowledge using the products I offer. Bringing my industry experience into the horse world has aided me in offering something unique, and I am able to inject the same amount of consideration, creativity, and detail into equine products as I would if designing and tailoring a bespoke jacket.”

Emily set out to create something the market was lacking – something less utilitarian – natural products that complemented the horse, the rider, and the tack itself. She chose historic woven patterns and classic suiting fabrics of herringbone, tweed, and plaid and developed authentic and durable products for the equestrian community.

16C’S CURRENT PRODUCTS

The products available today are the quilted square pad, polo leg wraps, and protective canvas face masks. The 16C Square Quilted Pad is a simple design, constructed from 100% cotton outer layers with a soft, brushed underside for gentle grip and breathability.

Photo © Bayly Sophie

“The patterns on the pads are original and created from a range of vintage and antique textiles. I source remnants of all kinds of fabric I feel would look handsome on a horse, from traditional suiting fabrics to Japanese woven plaids. They are scanned into digital form, re-worked, and then transformed to create more versions in different color combinations. They are digitally printed directly onto the cotton, which is an ecofriendly process, and set so they won’t fade with use or washing. The pads are finished with micro suede details and are designed to coordinate with our polo wraps.”

16C polo wraps come in a set of four, and are offered in a soft, lightweight anti-pill polar fleece which makes them breathable but still protective while gently warming the tendons. They are secured with a specialized hook and loop closure that is flexible and collects little lint and debris.

“I launched Sixteen Cypress at the beginning of March of last year, alongside the devastating arrival of COVID-19. Like everyone else, when the reality sank in that life would drastically and quickly change, I knew the process of growing this new business would not go as planned. I wanted to utilize my resources to help encourage the use of mask wearing, alongside an initiative that donates 25% of sales to the EQUUS Foundation, supporting the welfare of horses all over America.”

The masks are constructed from the same durable woven cotton as the saddle pads and are lined with soft Lyocell twill. They feature a filter pocket and flexible aluminum nose pad for secure shape and to accommodate glasses. Available in solids and signature patterns, they are reusable, machine washable, and made in the USA.

CLASSIC AESTHETIC WITH MODERN ELEMENTS

Emily’s design process is about working with the natural beauty of horses, so her products subtly blend in and complement without taking away. “All products are offered in a neutral palette with highlights of brighter and contrasting colors. I personally love a classic equestrian aesthetic combined with modern sport luxe elements.”

Photo © Ryan Hull

It was also important to Emily to produce her products here in the USA. It has made the process of creating Sixteen Cypress more challenging, but she prefers to keep production onshore, to support the skilled manufacturers in America, and looks forward to launching a variety of new products this year.

“There are many products in the works right now with the goal to have limitless expansion one day. However, because I’ve been getting so much encouragement from dressage riders and requests for pads, they are currently in testing mode and will be available in the first quarter of 2021. I’m also closing in on a half pad, which will be streamlined and non-bulky with maximum benefit. It will have light wither shaping, and the cotton outer layers will be made from twill and duck canvas for added durability. This medium cushioning pad will also be extremely easy to wash. And finally, looking ahead to a COVID-free future one day, you can expect to see a Sixteen Cypress mobile Airstream store at events around the US!”

Over the years, Emily has immersed herself in just about every aspect of the horse. From hunter/jumpers to barrel racing, she constantly pulls from past experiences to build on future designs and styles. “I love horses, I’m grateful every single day for them. Having that unspoken bond, with the constant balance of trust and learning, is the greatest passion I can ever imagine in this life.”

When Emily isn’t hard at work on Sixteen Cypress, she can be found riding her mare, Willow, across the Hill Country outside of San Antonio. You can find 16C on Instagram @sixteencypress and online at sixteencypress.com.