Sometimes people ask me, why did I decide to jump in and start this business? What is my passion and what does it mean to me? I believe in being part of a positive change in how the fashion industry produces clothing, from the fibers to the factory. Mostly, I care about how the industry affects the people in it, wherever they are in the world. I want my children to know that exploitation does not have to be tolerated as status quo and that we don’t have to turn a deaf ear while others suffer, just so we can have something we want but don’t really need. My kids are citizens of the world. One was born in Guatemala,...
The fabrics were chosen for various qualities. First and foremost, the fabrics are chosen based on my commitment to sustainability. There are many factors to take into consideration right there. This can be its own topic! For my first line, Spring/Summer 2015, the fabrics have all been sourced from Pickering International, who specializes in supplying eco and sustainable fabrics. You can read more about them by clicking here. Another reason for choosing this supplier is a very practical one: I can purchase relatively small amounts of fabric at wholesale prices. As a small business just starting out, this is critical. The next attribute I looked for in the fabrics was their durability. I tested various fabrics by putting them in...
I have made plenty of resolutions that I didn’t keep, just like everyone else. But one resolution actually stuck, and led to one change after another. It was my 2012 resolution. I resolved to not buy any newly produced conventionally grown cotton. Why I chose that is the topic for another story. I wasn’t perfect in keeping that resolution: I bought my son canvas sneakers and I bought vitamins with cotton balls stuck in the tops. And I wasn’t even sure if the choices it led to were good ones: is silk any better? Polyester? But it sure did make me think about every purchase and led to research on other fibers. Some items were easy. Take kids clothing: lots...
I am now gearing up for production. Until now, I have been working on one prototype at a time, tweaking fit and style. Now seeing the multiples of the same garment, all in a row, really gives it the feel of going into production! After working on developing the line (for months!), the task now is creating the same garment in multiple sizes.
The EcoPetites line will be available in sizes ranging from XXS Petite to XL Petite, to cover the small-statured woman who is tiny, to curvy, to zaftig and to glorious.
Stay tuned!
I found a great blog post today from The Petite Shop on what is petite and who is petite. This is part of why I started EcoPetites: many petite women, like myself, have been frustrated with the lack of options, or struggle to make due with ill-fitting regular clothing sizes. Read on, friends!
http://thepetiteshop.com/blogs/blog/16857815-what-is-petite-anyway
