Alpenhaus has the Alpine In Mind

In the realm of snow-capped mountains and conscious streetwear, a new name has entered the conversation. French-inspired outerwear label, Alpenhaus, is like a dreamy embrace met with an inhale of crisp alpine air. Born from the intelligence of Alan Pivovar, the brand offers clean tailoring and sharp silhouettes, lending a technical polish that hasn’t yet hit the market, until now. But there’s a deeper truth to the Alpenhaus story. The coats, designed with sustainable “featherless” insulation, reshape the meaning of winter clothes.

Although his fresh take on form and construction has perhaps caused a ripple effect in the growing niche of sustainable outerwear, Pivovar, former head outerwear designer at Scotch & Soda, said it’s more than just the material that makes an impact. His brand ideology is a sense of presence that is exceptionally fine-tuned with his customer base. “I want them (the customer) to instantly feel the moment: confident, comfortable, and connected to something real,” Pivovar said.

Pivovar grew up in a small French village on the border of Germany, where gatherings were intimate and gear was built to last. When temps became brisk, it was customary to reach for soft, quality layers to bundle up, which drew him toward intentionality in design. He recalls the serenity of nature and the desire to craft products by hand, a resourcefulness that carried over into adulthood.

This tactile technique led him to adopt a minimalist approach. Like others in the community, he leaned away from materialism and over-consumption. Instead, he found contentment in the tiny things — a kind of quiet infatuation with life — and it was palpable. “That environment taught me patience, precision, and an appreciation for simplicity; values that continue to shape who I am and what Alpenhaus stands for today,” he said.

With a background in engineering, Pivovar said it’s this idea of complex simplicity that defines Alpenhaus, a rich duality that alters how he thinks. His draw to intricate details coated in delicacy is the master concept behind the brand, merging fashion and science in a way that feels refreshingly different from the competition. “Every element matters, from the volume and lines to the subtle touches of color,” he remarked.

Alpenhaus fuses precision and quality through extreme attention to detail. Crafted from hyper-gloss fabric for the modern-day summit seeker, each piece is packed with sustainable Eco-Puff filling, renowned for its breathability and quick-drying performance. It’s an alternative to traditional down that maintains the same warmth and comfort and is crafted to endure temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The newest collection includes modern textures, like vegan fur and vegan leather, to appeal to an elevated crowd.

Some of the brand’s best include the Rousset puffer, accentuated with a stripe and slim silhouette, and the Malet parka, made for more intense winter stays, and fitted with vegan sherpa trim. The men’s Chambery puffer has a built-in ski guard and a coated metallic sheen for a streetwear edge. Loriant, the unisex aviator offered in warm chocolate brown and Brière in soft camel with a mix of matte and gloss, are both head-turners on the slopes or the streets.

Always staying true to an animal-free promise, the brand chooses recycled materials to support local initiatives, minimize the environmental footprint, and reduce plastics. Pivovar noted how these practices are not a trend, but rather a directive, a journey that his team is endlessly committed to. “We’ve engineered fully reusable and recyclable packaging to move away from industry conventions and create our own path toward sustainability,” he said. “The goal is simple: to bring something new and genuinely positive, without pretension.”

Pivovar regularly oversees all the main functions of Alpenhaus. He aims to implement calming practices to stay centered in his simple ideals. He believes discipline and a strong routine are key to navigating this terrain. He begins his day at 5:30 a.m. with a run or training session, and he ends his day outdoors or in the kitchen. When he’s not working, he’s also trying to limit his screentime. “Running Alpenhaus can be intense, but those simple moments keep me grounded and connected to why I started in the first place,” he confided.

Pivovar’s tattoos tell a story of their own. Currently, the business owner has two full sleeves and tattoos on both hands. “I’m already thinking about continuing onto my leg next,” he said. His left arm is a patchwork of different elements, while his right sleeve, which he really loves, tells the story of Icarus from Greek mythology and was artfully crafted by tattoo artist Gerome Moretti. “I like how it’s composed,” he said. “Each section has its own atmosphere, some calm and peaceful, others more intense.”

Inked by French artist Kato, his hand tattoos, a tribute to his friendships and his family overseas, are very personal. He also has two half-angels on each hand, one symbolizing peace and the other, war. “When my hands come together, they form a full angel — a reminder of balance, connection, and the people who ground me,” he explained.

“I just want to be happy,” Pivovar confided. He stated the importance of staying true to the things that make him feel the most like himself, whether that’s a relationship, a country, or an environment. The moment served as a reminder of his quiet upbringing and how serene it felt — when all that’s left is the breath and sounds of nature.