Who we are

We’re Harini, Cafui, and Jaya — three women who met in business school and bonded over our love for the outdoors and one big question:

Why does technical gear still feel like it wasn’t made for us?

We’ve hiked in gear that didn’t fit, shopped in aisles that didn’t see us, and stood on summits that still felt gatekept. So we built the brand we were missing.

Loess was born from both love and defiance: a love for the outdoors, and a refusal to accept that women — especially women of color — should be an afterthought in the gear we rely on.

We’re not just designing better trailwear. We’re creating a platform for women to feel confident, capable, and seen — through apparel, community-driven events, and a movement of sisterhood on the trail.

So come along for the hike, we’re just getting started.

  • HARINI RAMAKRISHNAN

    THE CONSCIOUS CREATOR

    I’ve always loved fashion — but hated the guilt that came with it. Seeing tags filled with materials destined to outlive me sparked a need for change. Loess is that change: gear that reflects our values and our style. I’m driven by curiosity and a mission to do things differently. When I’m not working, you’ll find me mid-run, deep in a novel, or lost in a great film.

    Founder Superpower: Keeping us rooted in purpose and planet. 

  • CAFUI AWASU

    THE OUTDOOR INSIDER

    To me, the outdoors has always felt like home. Growing up on open land taught me that nature isn’t about performance — it’s about presence. Whether I’m running a ridge or on a paddleboard, I move with what feels natural. That same grounded instinct shapes Loess: built for the backcountry, not just what looks good on paper.

    Founder Superpower: Turning trail wisdom into better gear. 

  • JAYA YADAV

    THE STYLE DISRUPTOR

    I believe clothes should speak the truth about who we are. I love putting together looks that feel bold, playful, and expressive. But when I stepped into the outdoor world, the gear didn’t reflect me. Loess was born from that gap — to make room for those of us who want to be seen and show up fully, whether skiing greens or hiking in the Bay.

    Founder Superpower: Giving voice — and style — to every woman outdoors. 

These are the promises loess designs by.

Please hold us to them.

At Loess, we design with people, planet, and purpose at the core. Our responsibility to the outdoors is woven into every step of our work, from the materials we choose to the way our products are used and cared for. We commit to material truth, sharing fiber mixes and tradeoffs in plain language; to durability, testing every style to last through real wear; and to raw materials, prioritizing recycled and natural fibers over virgin synthetics.

  • We publish fiber mix, source, and finish for every style, and explain the tradeoffs in plain language.

  • Patterns, seams, and finishes are tested for abrasion, stretch recovery, and at least 50 wash cycles where applicable.

  • Recycled, bio-based, or certified natural fibers first when they meet performance. Virgin synthetics only when there is no better option.

APPAREL FOR YOU, BY YOU

We want every Loess piece to reflect your voice, your spirit, and your way of moving through the world. Join our community at the Trail Lab—our free, members-only design space—where we co-create together. From early prototypes to fabric tests and fit polls, this is where your input shapes what we make.

Inside the Trail Lab, you’ll get first looks at sketches and samples, direct notes from our design team, and the chance to influence every zipper, pocket, and panel.