Oregon, the state known for its gorgeous natural landscape, micro-breweries and awesome alternative culture (mostly located in Portland), has some pretty cool sustainable and organic fashion to offer. From the heritage Navajo prints and soft organic materials to sustainable outerwear and hand-sewn garments, there are some lovely fashion labels made in Oregon for the consciously style savvy type.
1. Brady Lange
Brady Lange may be best known for his appearance on the “Project Runway” spinoff “Under the Gunn,” and continues making the colorful, chic and street savvy clothes seen on the screen. Lange says the rain of the Pacific Northwest is one of his biggest inspirations, causing him to design bright and fun clothing to battle the long, grey days.
2. Briana Jacobs
Briana Jacobs is a fresh, new Portland-based designer currently completing a degree in Apparel Design at the Art Institute of Portland. Her designs are feminine and alluring, and all are made in Oregon–custom crafted by hand in her personal studio and sewing room.
3. Imperial Collection by Anna Cohen
Anna Cohen is a Portland-based fashion designer who teamed up with Imperial Stock Ranch in Maupin to create a completely sustainable collection of American knitwear. All of the wool is sustainably farmed at the ranch, and then processed, spun and knit in the USA. The result is a gorgeous set of shawls, sweaters, capes and accessories that will be available this fall.
4. Moulagerie
Moulagerie designer Karen Davis took on the task of creating tailored, feminine and sustainable fashion when she realized that the combination of the three was the only sensible way for her to make clothes. She has thus developed a collection of sophisticated and elegant dresses that are locally and responsibly manufactured from natural fibers, with a part of proceeds shared with various charities.
5. Nau
Nau is the Oregonian response to the need for sustainable and ethical outdoor apparel. All of Nau’s collections are made with sustainably sourced high performance textiles and ethically manufactured in monitored factories with high quality standards. The perfect clothes for a hike in the Cascades!
6. Pendleton Portland Collection
The Pendleton Portland Collections defines the sophisticated and chic but youthful and relaxed Portland style. Native American prints, gorgeous hand crafted textiles and quirky, old school cuts make up this hip and wearable collection, all of which is made at Pendleton Woollen Mills in Pendleton, OR.
7. Sweet Skins
Sweet Skins is a Eugene-based collection of simple basics and classic wearables made from eco friendly fabrics like eco-fleece, hemp, organic cotton and wool. All Sweet Skins garments are hand made in Eugene where this ethically run label continues to maintain strong roots in the community and pave the way for sustainably made fashion.
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Images: Brady Lange, Briana Jacobs, Imperial Collection by Anna Cohen, Moulagerie, Nau, Pendleton Portland Collection, Sweet Skins