MARBLE DYE MOOD

Here we are again- as always, looking to extend the life of the pieces we have and make them into something we love. We wanted to create a way to give a new life to stained garments, and clothes that just needed an update, period. We experimented with Abstract Over Dyeing in the form of an ancient Japanese technique dating back to the 12th century. We took inspiration from the ancient art of Suminagashi aka "floating ink" and some of our favorite abstract runway prints. Our runway inspiration for this colorful process comes from iconic prints by Stella McCartney Spring 2020, Mugler SS 2019, Mugler Spring 2020, Off White Spring 2020, Acne Studios Spring 2021, David Koma Pre Fall 2022, Dries Van Noten SS2021, Christopher Esber Pre Fall 2020 and more. We are hosting our first IRL workshop in LA this month and can't wait to teach you how to recreate these prints, by hand! Join Us!

Mugler SS 2019

Mugler Spring 2020

Off White Spring 2020

Acne Studios Spring 2021

David Koma Pre Fall 2022

Dries Van Noten SS2021

Christopher Esber Pre Fall 2020

Charlotte Knowles SS2021

Louis Vuitton Spring 2019

Stella McCartney Spring 2020

Issey Miyake Spring 1995

Good news daily

There is no shortage of terrible news, but good news can be hard to find. That's why we wanted to highlight a handful of recent laws, initiatives, and innovations that give us hope for the future. As the impending reality of a climate changed by global warming has set in, a long overdue sense of urgency has propelled lawmakers, businesses, and scientists to address the causes of overproduction, pollution, and emissions.

The landmark New York Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability bill, currently in committee and expected to go to a vote this spring, is the first of its kind in the US to place sustainability requirements on large companies. The bill requires companies with over 100 million in annual that do business in New York to disclose the environmental impacts of 50% of their supply chains, from greenhouse gases to water and chemicals use. Reduction targets for these impacts would be required, although it hasn't been determined what the reduction thresholds will be. The bill also addresses the social impact of the fashion industry by requiring disclosure of median wages and compliance mechanisms. State senator Alessandra Biaggi sponsored the bill, with support from industry activists including the New Standard Institute, NRDC, and Uprose. The potential impact this bill can have is enormous, because it does what the for-profit auditing industry isn't capable of: creates a set of requirements and a legal framework to fine those who do not comply.

PS: Do you want to get involved? Join the citizen action group The Fashion Policy Initiative by emailing fashionpolicyinitiative@gmail.com

The FABRIC Act aims to enact legislation at the federal level to protect worker's rights and end the practice piece rate pay. Thanks to the success of California bill SB62, the nationwide adoption of such legislation seems possible. The act also aims to address offshoring by providing reshoring credits and a grant program for domestic manufacturers.

LA's own Ambercycle just raised $21.6 million in funding from a group including H&M CO: LAB and Zalando. This will allow the textile recycler to develop infrastructure and materials for circularity in the fashion industry. We are heartened by the investment from companies like H&M into innovative upstarts to promote their mission towards circularity.

Nanollose creates cellulose from waste (!!), making it the the first tree-free viscose.

Stella McCartney introduced the Mylo leather Frayme bag on her SS'22 runway. Mylo, from the innovators at Bolt Threads, is at the forefront of bio-based leather innovation, providing a super supple, subtly textured leather alternative made from mycelium.

These developments are encouraging, and we hope to see increasing commitment to sustainability goals in the future. We we will continue to share positive developments in the world of sustainability and business as it breaks. Subscribe to our newsletter now so you don't miss a thing!

Resizing workshop: entry one

For us, nothing feels worse than a too-tight waistband. Right? Especially on a pair of jeans or high waisted anything, a tight waistband is like living in a soul sucking nightmare. So intense!

Anyway, we wanted to explore interesting ways to resize pants and skirts so that the fit was finally right. And beyond just taking something in or letting it out, what are some ways to turn a boring piece into something exciting to wear?

Our first experiment involved adding fabric panels to trousers (see our IG post here) to make a pair of pants ACTUALLY comfortable to wear. And on the flip side, sizing down a too-big pair of khakis a la Margiela was a super interesting experiment that actually made the pants wearable.

This post will explore another concept: the double waistband trouser! It's popped up on runways from Y/Project to Dion Lee to Marc Jacobs. We are so inspired by the sweatpant / denim hybrids from DIYbypanida - seriously, check her out! See more below, and follow along as we try our own version!

Marc Jacobs SS20

MSTR of Disguise in DIYbyPanida

R13 double denim

Y/Project SS21

Margiela double waistband pants at PFW

Margiela AW19

Dion Lee

Dion Lee S21 RTW

Dion Lee F20 RTW

Markoo SS21