When birds sing
Just woke up to the sound of birds singing….
NOT!
It was only my baby girl calling me out to prepair her for our morning routine…not exactly music to my ears! But I don’t complain. I like mornings as I spent them at home with her and we are free to take our time, have breakfast and cuddle. And choose our outfits - all colourful and comfy. She enjoys that. She seems to have already acquired a sense of style. And always asks : who bought this for me mommy?
A question that creates sequence of thoughts in my mind around the significance of a piece of garment we choose to wear. Who bought it for us, what it makes us feel…how was it created. Shouldn’t it be important, to know about the way the item you use has been created?
I think I would love to be able to tell my daughter an inspiring story behind the creation of her favourite clothing. To trust that the used yarns have been dyed naturally, that the artisans who put a garment together have been treated with respect. To let her know that there are a lot of female workers out there who produce and are paid equally in healthy work environments.
We all are enough informed to know that this is not exactly the case. But there are brands who refuse to go with the no-matter-how-profit-gain norm. Birdsong is one good exaple of social responsible brand. To quote them here:
we dream up designs, and then work with expert women makers who face barriers to employment and pay them a London living wage to bring our creations to life.
Their aim is to connect women from worker to wearer and to make sure that representation of the female is following the reality of a woman. Photoshoped pictures are not an option here. Social awareness goes furthermore at Birdsong. As a response to hostility and turmoil surrounding Brexit, they collaborated with creative project ‘Still European’ and XXY Magazine and launched a super limited edition range of locally embroidered t-shirts and zine.
I am really excited to see what comes next from Birdsong. Hope to see more brands like that emerging so as to have greater stories to tell my daughter about.
Pinetree hues
First thing I felt when I met those beauties? The smell of pine tree cones…spring is just around the corner I guess. Or in my wishful thinking!
Nonna Lietta
I have a thing for knitted cardigans. People who live close to me can confirm that! Besudes spicing everything up with ginger, being cuddled by wool is my way of staying sane during cold winter months.
Wool is a wonderful material. It makes me feel cosy, warm, protected. Like being in the arms of someone who truly cares for me. Like being cuddled by my own grandmother…
I guess that is what Lietta, designer and owner of the Athens based brand Nonna Lietta had in mind. Her knitwear is purely ethical and ready to give hugs to women and kids around age 2-8 years old. Big buttons and basic, mostly soft coloured yarns from Italy assemble those knits that add instant coolness in a cold day outfit.
Photography in support of the collections is quite interesting too. Wonderful people hanging around in nature, enjoying the breeze and each other. Such a good example of stereotyped free campaign!
Reinvention
Care to know what happens when few female engineers and designers gather around to brainstorm about bra manufacturing? Innovation and comfort go hand in hand and create a bra without underwire with great support system that doesn’t hurt or discomfort the body.
The sizing system is reimagined; the team used 3D technology to scan hundrends of women’s bodies to create an algorithm that allows identification of optimal fits with only few measurements. So fit is nearly customized. Colours are also in line with different skin shades in order to make the bra invisible.
All these are brought to us by Evelyn & Bobbie. A brand created by the need of founder Bree McKeen to finally find comfort and joy in her everyday bustier. The company is female founded and female led. Their campaigns include real female figures, with curves, birth marks and variant skin colours. Healthy women whose bodies are well treated and respected in all their diversity.
I could be delighted with this bra reevaluation. But the price is forcing me to slow down my festivities. Of course I understand how prices configuration works. Nevertheless, I long for the day when great sustainable design and quality come along with affordability as these products’ traits would be the only ones out there. I know, long story sort - maybe consider to dedicate another post about it!
For now I am super glad to watch brands like Evelyn & Bobbie emerge. The first steps are being made…
Toast
You know when you see it. The photos speak to you, you can almost feel that velvety soft peice of garment touching your bare skin….Just like that Toast became one of my favorite brands. There is a certain allure around their lookbook. The landscapes, the models, the colours, the textures - they all blend in a wonderful mix of a tomboy sexiness.
Apart from the aesthetics, there is a cultural concept around this brand. On their site one can follow the magnificent history of corduroy, wander around local markets or listen to inspiring stories by creative ladies - yes, there is a podcast too! The Toast woman has a unique sense of style that expands throughout all aspects of her every day life. She creates an atmosphere both on herself and her surroundings embellished by what she reads, where she goes and who she longs to become; a person who will not compromise her core values. She is the woman one would like to be. I, for sure, would.
What about Elise?
Choosing Elise to begin with the representation of the brands that transmit the message of social awareness around feminism is not accidental. This brand has been deeply rooted in fighting for body rights since 1933…
I was so impressed when I discovered that the RFSU has created this fashion brand in order to emphasize on everyone’s right to decide over their body, sexuality and identity. The brand is named after Elise Ottesen-Jensen, the founder of RFSU. Elise - also known as Ottar - has dedicated her life in fighting for women's rights to understand and control their own body and sexuality.
Wandering around the brand’s collections one can come across t-shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags among other things. All clothing are made of organic cotton and in line with Fair Wear Foundation's code of conduct. The hues are clear and the messages on them are bold. Can’t help but wonder about the looks on my peers’ faces when wearing my mansplainer slayer t-shirt on…..:)
As simple as that : the denim jacket
As autumn leaves are starting to redecorate the streets at the northern hemispshere, can't help but need an extra something over my shoulders...what should that be? Oh every day life decisions can be tricky! And I don't need to put another one on my mind when taking off in a hurry to start the day.
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis had such a revelation when they chose the denim material to create their pants. A material so strong and versatile - literally and figuratively - that has become part of our culture.
So behold the denim jacket! Steady companion to every outfit. You can either choose to wear it as part of layering overcoats on a cold day or topping a floral dress on a warmer one. Even the denim suit idea sounds appealing if paired with matching shade pants or skirt.
I acquired my vintage version of it from my husband’s closet. Classic blue denim shade and rather spacy - it even tops over my fluffier woolen sweater! I encourage you to search for your version at vintage and thrift stores which are full of denim gems. Maybe I should do a little investigation on that matter? If you have any suggestions, please drop them below!
