Springtime showers mean you must up your spring rain gear game.

We’ve all heard that April showers bring May flowers, and we’ve all most certainly experienced that phenomenon ourselves. But whether the rain comes in late winter, spring, or even summer, we’ve all got to be ready–and having those emergency rain ponchos on hand just isn’t going to cut it. From galoshes and booties to trench coats and rain hats, we’ve got a roundup of must-have rain gear to keep you from showing up to the meeting looking like a drowned kitten.

You can hide in the house cursing at the sky, or you can throw on your fabulous rain gear and take on the world–even when it’s a monsoon raining cats and dogs out there.

8 Must Have Rain Gear Accessories for Your Spring Wardrobe

1. Clima Retro Black and White Rain Bootie – We love this retro-inspired Jeffrey Campbell rain ankle bootie. It comes in white rubber and features black Chelsea inserts on the side, a black heel, and contrast stitching. It’s Also available in matte black too.

2. Spring Print Umbrella – This pretty print umbrella is perfectly appropriate for spring! It features an earthy print of leaves, ferns, and trees in a cool fractal formation growing.  After the rainy season, you can even use it a sun shade.

3. Glossy Swing Rain Coat in Rose – For those casual rainy days, we like this glossy swing raincoat to keep your dry. It features a big fleece-lined hood to keep you dry and snap pockets for your phone and other accessories.

4. Rain Bucket Hat – For those dressier times, or when hood just won’t do, consider a functional bucket rain hat to keep the rain from your tresses.

5. Kaleidoscope Umbrella – A colorful umbrella that you can stow away in your bag is a must have rain gear accessory for sudden rainstorms. We love this colorful kaleidoscope pattern!

6. Fayette Trench Coat – Who says a trench coat must be in the khaki family because we love this navy version! Navy is the color du jour for spring.

7. East Coast Trench in Grass – While trench coats aren’t quite rainproof, they can be rain-resistant–and this version in green is just so fun! Just make sure to take your umbrella along too.

8. High Heel Rain Boots – Rain boots don’t have to be boring and flat. If you are used to rocking heels, don’t let the rain stop you. These Hunter high heel boots should keep your tootsies dry and you looking fabulous.

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Image: Woman With Umbrella via Shutterstock

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Lucky for us, when we don’t know what to do with clothes or items that no longer fit (either our bodies or our style tastes), we can turn to Swapdom.com, a site dedicated to trading people’s beloved items that also specializes in the benefits of recycling!

We’ve all had what many like to call the “closet crisis.” You know, where you open your closet doors and brace yourself in fear of the rack snapping and your clothes devouring you like an angry ocean. Or the shoebox mountain that took you months to build comes down like an avalanche similar to a round in Jenga gone wrong. Some may refer to you as a hoarder (you prefer “clothing connoisseur” or just simply “collector”) because you can’t seem to let anything go. What if there was a way for you to feed your habit but also clean out your closet at the same time? That’s right, cleaning and shopping simultaneously can be done on this gem of a website called, Swapdom.

At first glance Swapdom may seem like just another e-commerce website similar to eBay or Amazon. Alas, it is like no such thing out there right now! Normally on those sorts of typical ecommerce websites, you usually have to negotiate with a seller and put bids on items (which you are then feverishly checking on the item 467 times a day, praying that no one has out-bid you). Talk about stressful shopping! It sounds just as bad as going to the mall on Black Friday …no thank you. Good thing Swapdom has taken big strides in changing the game when it comes to the benefits of recycling used and much loved items and giving them a chance at a new life while making all of the sellers and recipients super happy.

The major difference that completely sets Swapdom apart is its swapping system. Gone are the days of wanting an item, hoping the seller will like what you’re offering, resulting in what is supposed to be a successful trade that actually just ends in disappointment because the seller isn’t the least bit interested. Swapdom doesn’t allow room for letdowns. Instead, Swapdom uses a really neat method of grouping people together that are all interested in different items from each other. Basically, the whole negotiation process is eliminated. For example, Person A can give something to Person B and Person B can give something to Person C until it comes back around full circle. That means every customer is satisfied! No more disappointments, frowny faces, or feelings of despondency over a lost item! That’s something we can all celebrate.

Also, Swapdom does ALL the work for you. Seriously. All you’re required to do is request what you want, show what you have to offer, then hang back in your hammock with a nice, cold drink while Swapdom creates a group of individuals looking to swap with each other. Once that’s been done, you have 10 days to approve your swap, then pack and ship the item you’ll be trading and VOILA! Bing, bang, boom, done! How easy and effortless is that?

The best part about this whole site is that so many articles of clothing and accessories (even houseware items and kid stuff!) are saved from ending up in the trash. That’s huge. All of these once-loved pieces and items are blessed with the opportunity to be loved again in a whole new way and continue to fulfill their purposes. Easy and fun with a conscious intention, Swapdom epitomizes the benefits of recycling in the coolest, most innovative way.

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Image via Swapdom

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One half of the dynamic ethical fashion label, Feral Childe’s Alice Wu, chats with EcoSalon for an inside discussion on their work as made in New York City designers.

Designing all their prints by hand, the bi-coastal team, Moriah Carlson, in Brooklyn, and Alice Wu, in Oakland, are never short of eye-catching designs, easy feminine silhouettes and intelligent ethical values. We sat down with Alice Wu of Feral Childe to talk about their carefully sourced fabrics, ethical production and why having a keen eye for practicality matters for sustainability.

Juliette Donatelli: Feral Childe is best known for its prints and fabrics. Where are the prints made and is there a story behind them?

Alice Wu: Some of the prints are done right in Los Angeles. We use a sample dye house in Marin so we work with our dye guy to create the sample palette for the season. We have our printer print one color and do different dye lots. The same fabric comes out different ways so you get a nice tonal range.

This one is actually printed in Korea. So our silks come from either Korea or India. It depends on what fabric our suppliers have on offer. Everyone has different specialties and fiber qualities. We used a silk linen which was really nice. And for a really vibrant silk, this is digitally printed on a silk cotton.

So we make the image and then we try to find the right fabric partner to do it. Then you have to wrestle with the fabric to make it into the garment. But we try to make it fun altogether.

JD: And all the clothes are made in NYC?

AW: Yes, all the clothes are made either in midtown sewing facilities or we also have started working work sewing contractors in Sunset Park.

JD: When you have a buyer, or the general public come in and see the collection or see the clothing in a store, and then find out they are made in NYC, is that a selling point?

AW: It is. I think people like it. I think it is really wonderful to know the person who made your clothes, to say hello, and thank you for cutting my fabric and putting it together. It adds a very personal touch to something you are going to be wearing for a long time. That is something that is very important to Moriah and me–to try to work with people we can interface with. Even my fabric supplier from India I have met. The first time we worked together was over email, but about a year later he came to New York on business and we met up. It was really wonderful to put a face to all the email correspondences.

JD: How important is it to you to think about where and what fabrics you are using?

AW: For us it is very important to consider materials and where they come from at all steps of the design process. It is choosing materials that have meaning.

In the beginning, whether that meant discovering Garment District castoffs or remnant fabrics, we like to have a story to go along with the fabrics we find. Even though we aren’t necessarily working with remnant fabrics right now–we are creating our own–it is still important for us to have personal connections with the fabric suppliers that we are in contact with each season and to know as much as we can about where the fabrics are coming from, whether they are durable, and are they easy to care for.

It is less important that it is specifically organic — but we try to use organic whenever possible just because it is better for everybody. But for example, even though this is not organic cotton, [this fabric] is woven in Japan working with a small mill that has restored all this vintage production equipment. So you could say it is more of an artisan fabric or made by people who really care.

For instance, take [a product] blend of modal, cotton and polyester. There was a time where I thought, ‘I am never going to make anything with polyester again, I am only going to use natural fibers.’ But if there is a little bit of poly blended with natural fibers it sometimes helps to make the garment withstand more wear and tear. You can throw it in the washing machine, or we have customers that are vegan but want to look nice. So there are lots of things to consider.  But we certainly want to make things to treasure.

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images: photographed by Jonathan Hökklo for the brand

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As if it were Lego for the modern woman, fashion designers are creating more with less and spurring sustainability as a result.

Let’s face it: We can be moody, fickle, and change is inherent to our human nature, right?  So, what if we could change the clothing we already own to be something completely new, without buying more?

Engineer-minded fashion designers are anticipating sustainability needs a wearers’ want for change–not in the sense of fleeting trends–but by making single garments that can intelligently change their shape to be multi-purpose and adaptable.

Multi-purpose clothing allows us as the wearer to participate in the shape of a garment, just like the designer did in making the clothing. It’s a playful concept with immense sustainable concepts woven in. The clothing is adaptable to the seasons and our style and sustainability, ultimately saving on resources, money and our time.

Check out three amazing eco-fashion designers that are playing with clothing that can change shape.

1. DePLOY

Haute couture sustainable fashion brand DePloy will make you look twice. Each garment the brand creates is smartly tailored to embody a seamless adaptability. A single piece can change shape in multiple ways without compromising the sophisticated needs of a modern working woman. The jacket shown above can be worn with long or short sleeves. “My aim is to make the fashion process less wasteful, more sustainable and more interactive,” says DePloy’s Bernice Pan.

2. Elementum

Elementum is “a concept of sustainable principles applied to clothing.” Made ethically in Peru, the seasonless collections are beautifully innovative in the way each piece can morph into something new. All designs can change shape to be worn as a scarf, dress, top, vest, and more. “It can cover your head, your neck, down till your feet. It can be worn flat, twisted and in layers,” says designer Daniela Pais, founder of Elementum. “The construction of the pieces is based on the total use of a piece of cloth in a tubular dimension, where minimum cuts provide maximum use.” Watch this great video of the collection in action.

3. Hayley Starr

Detailed oriented Hayley Starr sharpened her own mastery of pattern-making by perfecting 5 pieces that can be literally hundreds of ways. The feminine, multifunctional collection is phenomenal in it’s ability to change shape. Dresses can be strapless, tied like a halter top, or turned into straps, and all pieces are reversible. Hayley Starr uses only soft, wrinkle-free Modal fabric for a comfortable feel on any body type. All pieces are manufactured in California.

images from the brands

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Alternatives to clothes shopping are popping up to smartly satisfy what women want.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis averages each American will spend roughly $1,700 on clothes shopping each year. And, American women will spend double the national average–putting $3,400 annually towards new clothing purchases.

There is no argument against the modern closet overflowing, overstuffed and over-cluttered with too much clothing. In fact, I’ve never heard a friend say she wants more clothing. Certainly we’ve all moaned about having “nothing to wear,” but when most women only put on 20 – 30 percent of their wardrobe, it’s hard to imagine more is what we need. The general trend is advancing towards hosting a minimal, well-curated wardrobe, and some companies are tactically giving us exactly what we want.

Check out some successful alternatives to clothes shopping new below.

Bib + Tuck

Bib + Tuck is an online swapping site where you can virtually swap clothing from a well-curated community. Inside the closets of celebrities, artists, stylists, editors, bloggers, journalist, and everything in between, you can bib (meaning to give) and tuck (meaning to take). The name comes from the old English phrase, “To wear your best Bib and Tucker.”  The site’s model is based on the user being both a bibber and a tucker, but you can also buy “bucks,” the communities currency.

“I think there is a big divide between buying new and buying at a secondhand marketplace. Bib + Tuck exists to bridge that divide.” says co-founder Sari Azout.

Bag Borrow or Steal 

Ever wanted a meticulously crafted designer bag, just for a little while? The option is out there. Bag Borrow or Steal allows you to rent, or ‘borrow,’ designer handbags at a monthly rate. You can accessorize on a month to month basis, and send it back when you are done. “This is a great way to experience high fashion at a fraction of the cost,” says Bag Borrow or Steal user Deb. The site also offers a smaller, but equally curated selection of jewelry and sunglasses.

Rent The Runway

Rent a high fashion dress for that extraordinary occasion through Rent The Runway. They offer an enormous selection of evening, party, and designer dresses which you can rent on a four- or eight-day basis. Rent The Runway also encourages users to upload a photo of themselves wearing the dress. So each gown is packed with special stories from their nights-out.

featured image from Bag Borrow or Steal, images from the companies

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All right ladies, let’s talk form and figure. I am not talking about weight or height—forget about dwelling on that—I’m talking shape. Fashion is all about proportions, so what shape are you—and what silhouettes flatter your form? Once you know, you can make the best choices to play up your individual strengths. 

Everyone’s beautiful body is uniquely different and one-of-a-kind (what a wonderful thing!). Generally speaking, we can boil it down to four distinct body types. Knowing our body shape and dressing to your form can accentuate individual attributes by wearing silhouettes that fit us best. Celebrities and starlets pay big bucks to personal stylists to get the tips on what to wear, but all you really need is a measuring tape, pen, and paper to start taking notes!

Measure in the following four places: Hips, waist, bust and shoulders (across). Double your shoulder measurement. Now, with your set of four numbers, determine what shape you are—if shoulders and hips are within an inch or less of each other, but your waist is at least four inches (or likely more) smaller, you are an hourglass. If all four measurements are roughly the same, you are a rectangle. If your hips are the largest number, you are  a triangle or pear, and if your bust, hips, and waist measurements are close, but your shoulders are biggest, you are an apple.

For All Body Types

A great tip for all forms, no matter what category you fall into is: skin-tone shoes (black is no longer your classic shoe color—trust me). Go shoe shopping with bare legs and find a simple, comfortable heeled shoe that’s as close to your skin tone as possible. This will give the appearance of longer legs and whether you find cream, beige, or dark brown shoes, they will work with most outfits. And who wouldn’t want to add a little length to their legs?

Another great tip for all body types is color. Don’t be afraid of it! Wearing a brightly colored garment that flatters your skin tone will immediately draw attention to that area. So whatever your best feature (cleavage, legs, great shoulders, or waist), bring color there, and don’t forget to smile if you feel great.

Here is a general explanation of the four different body types, and what fits best on each.

Hourglass

If your hips and shoulders are about equal size and your waist is defined, then you are considered an hourglass. For the hourglass shape it is always about drawing attention to your curves. Silhouettes that flatter your form are: wrap dresses, and especially any thin or lightweight fabrics. A pair of stretchy skinny or straight-leg jeans are great to pair with slim-cut cardigans and tunics. Don’t wear baggy clothes or layer too much, just hug what you’ve got and love your body!

Rectangle

For rectangles, it’s about the trompe l’oeil (trick of the eye) to create the illusion of curves. Long jackets and strapless dresses with cinched waists are extremely flattering for this body type. Another great silhouette for rectangles are tops with collars to highlight your chest and bring the eye upwards. Avoid boxy tops and skinny jeans.

Triangle or Pear

If your hips are wider than shoulders you are a triangle or pear body shape and you’ll want to show off your shoulders by leaving them bare or adding a bit of volume to your chest (ruffles or decorative fabric above your bust can be lovely). Strapless dresses or defined shoulders in blouses will bring volume to your upper half. A jacket that hits just above the waist also really flatters your form without adding bulk down below. Stay away from cargo pants or printed skirts (unless it’s a small print) as they can draw attention the to hips and thighs.

Inverted Triangle or Apple

If your shoulders or bust are wider than your hips then your body is defined as an inverted triangle or apple shape. High-waisted pants are great for this body type (plus, they are trendy right now)! Also, wearing belts at the smallest part of your waist will highlight your form. Another good tip for this body type is wearing bell bottoms because they balance out the wider shoulders. V-neck tops are great, but stay away from spaghetti straps.

Have fun! Know your shape and embrace it, because it is uniquely yours!

Now what? Take some time for a deep closet clean and donate those pieces that might not flatter your figure (you know which ones they are—or ask an honest friend for help).

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Image of Hourglass: GiuliagasImage of Rectangle: Mathias Liebing; Image of Pear: www.fotoARION.ch Image of Yield Sign: jacco de boer

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Clothes that last for a good long time mean less wear and tear on the environment and serious budget savings. Taking care of good-quality clothes from responsible manufacturers means that you will be able to get maximum value from them over time and use much less energy for washing and drying. Whether its a new dress you want to keep forever, or your vintage or special pieces, the laundry ideas below are key. When it comes to fashion, one of the smartest moves—for your style and your impact—is making it last. Here’s how. 

1. Cold treatment

Being a bit of a germaphobe myself, I always held the notion that we needed to wash clothes in hot water, just like we do our dishes or our hands.  But this is a bit of an urban legend; in countries like Japan and throughout Europe, it is standard practice to wash clothes in cold or room temperature water. Not only is cold wash gentler on your clothing, it consumes much less energy.

image: rwkvisual

2. Hanging ’em out

You know how you habitually have to clean out the lint drawer of your washer machine? Those extras are not a sign of happy clothes. It’s pure evidence that the dryer is taking a piece of your garment for keeps. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor space, line drying your clothes will make your clothes last (almost) forever. Plus, there’s the added bonus of a natural “drier sheet”: The scent of clean, fresh air that beats any laboratory fragrance. If you don’t have an outdoor space to line dry, you can pick up a clothes-drying rack and do it in your bathroom, or DIY your bamboo sticks.

image: Rob Gallop

3. The handy job

Hand washing clothing takes out the machine pressures, replacing the process of washing with the delicate and thoughtful hands of good old human labor. Rather than the aimless whipping around of a washing machine, you can focus of specific areas that might need extra attention. Hand washing your clothing, especially our delicates makes them last significantly longer. If you make it a habit, it won’t add up or be overwhelming and this part of your laundry could even be an enjoyable, meditative routine (try using a bit of lavender oil in your wash and enjoy the aromatherapy).

image: aesop

4. Freeze your jeans

Yes, that’s right—freeze those baby blues because in this case, washing is optional. Some denim experts say it’s the only way to go with a great pair of jeans (that is if you aren’t using them as work-jeans). How to? Fold the jeans nicely, place them in a gallon-sized ziplock bag (or paper bag will work too) and leave them in the freezer for about a week. The freezing temperature kills off any bacteria or living microbes on the jeans (which is what can make them smell). Defrost, hang out in the sun, and voila, fresh jeans! And no washing means you can keep them perfectly broken in.

5. Vodka spray

Avoid washing your clothes by spraying them with one part vodka, two parts water. Don’t worry, your clothes won’t smell like a college bar. The alcohol disinfects the clothing, and vodka’s crystal clear properties won’t stain your garments.

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featured image: batintherain

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Synthetic fabrics, made from chemically manipulated petrochemicals, are some of the most toxic fabrications on Earth.

Last week we discussed the pros and cons of biobased synthetic textiles like Tencel, Modal and other cellulose-based fabrics. The production process of these materials is similar to the production oil-based or petrochemical textiles such as nylon, polyester, acrylic and spandex, which are made from natural gas or oil. Developed during the second half of the last century, these synthetic materials have revolutionized several industries, and been widely adopted in the fashion industry as a low-cost material that allows brands to churn out a variety of colorful apparel at low prices. Petrochemical textiles are a heavily invested area of research, allowing companies to produce highly engineered fabrics that perform better than their natural counterparts. But at what cost?

Petrochemical textile materials are immensely toxic and pollutive to the environment, as they require significant energy, water and chemicals to produce. If the numerous oil spills, waterway contaminations and fracking dangers aren’t making the risks and damage of using these raw materials obvious, I’m not sure what will. Not only does the production of these materials leach waste and toxic substances into our waterways, soil beds, groundwater and landfills, they also (surprised?) can possibly leach into our skin when we wear them. So why do we use them?

Our demand for synthetic textiles has grown by 30 percent in the last 13 years; retailers that feed the fast fashion phenomenon use these low-cost fabrics. As it stands, it is also far less costly to make a shirt from polyester than it is out of cotton, not to mention organic cotton. These fabrics are also easy to manipulate on a microscopic level, resulting in engineered textiles that we have become so accustomed to as consumers. The development of microfibers has allowed textile producers to spin very fine fibers into soft fabrics with engineered moisture-wicking properties. But how can an antibacterial workout top be a good thing if over 100 toxic chemicals were used during the production of that top?

We’ve outlined some of the applications for and problems with the oil-based textiles that we still (because of that bizarre concept of profit over planet) continue to use.

Nylon

Nylon is water repellent, and so ideal for swimsuits, hosiery and lightweight, weatherproof jackets. Nylon is extremely resilient and multi-purpose, as it can be found in anything from underwear to rock climbing rope. However, the production of nylon creates nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas 310 times more polluting than carbon dioxide.

Polyester

Polyester has a bad reputation, although it has long term success in the fabric industry (think 70s leisure suits). The ethylene based material is very strong, resists stretching and shrinking, and dries within a matter of minutes. It’s also wrinkle and abrasion resistant, retains pleats and creases, and repels water. But polyester manufacturing uses plenty of water and energy, and a highly toxic substance called antimony (which most countries other than the US and China have outlawed) as a catalyst.

Acrylic

Acrylic has a similar texture as wool, and so boomed onto the market in the 1960s as it takes dyes beautifully, is colorfast, and unlike wool, resists shrinking. However, this ‘fake wool’ doesn’t provide the same warmth as the real thing, and is essentially a polycrylonitrile, which may be carcinogenic.

Spandex

Spandex was invented in 1959 to give fabric a stretch quality unlike anything that had been seen before in textiles. The production of spandex is rather costly as it is a time consuming and energy intensive process that involves “cracking” petroleum molecules into propylene and ethylene gases before actually creating the fiber. Spandex is often blended with other fibers such as wool and cotton, but tends to break down over time.

The substances used to manipulate and characterize these textiles are highly toxic, which is also an issue with biobased synthetics. Anti-cling, wrinkle-free, waterproof and fire-retardant materials have all been treated with highly toxic chemicals, most often formaldehyde. Even several natural fibers like cotton and wool are treated with these substances, meaning that the textile industry is saturated with them. A major drawback to petrochemical textiles is their non-biodegradibility, meaning that their negative effects continue to affect the Earth even after they have been discarded.

Although finding clean clothing, home textiles and accessories might seem impossible, the labels on products can tell us a lot. Unfortunately the textile supply chain is currently so disjointed that it is often hard to know exactly how a fabric was produced. Look for labels on clothing and home textiles and check for different certification labels to find out how clean the fabric is. Better yet, look for locally produced fabrics when you can. The Fibershed Project in Marin County, CA is a wonderful example and resource for learning how a textile is made from plant or animal to wearable product.

Photo Credit: www.rowenawaack.com

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As Oscar Wilde once wrote, “One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.” Liz Collins’ capsule collection of knitwear is now available for those who choose the latter option.

“The Void” is a new exhibit by acclaimed artist, knitwear designer and educator, Liz Collins. Designed to challenge viewers to rethink their fashion consumption habits, large-scale knitted wall hangings cover the brick interior of the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan, and a pile of machine-knitted pieces are heaped on the floor generating questions about the true scale of our culture’s addiction to purchasing ever more clothing.

The antidote, says the designer, is to create truly unique clothing. “There’s a certain timelessness to interesting designs,” says Collins. Launched in tandem with the opening of the exhibit, her collection of limited-edition unisex designs are as bold and thought-provoking as her latest installation.

We caught up with Liz as she was preparing for the opening of the exhibit, here’s what she had to say:

Rowena Ritchie: Why did you decide to launch a collection alongside the exhibit?

Liz Collins: People are always telling me how much they love the pieces of mine they have. They come up to me and say they’ve been wearing their sweaters for years and cherish them because they’re such special pieces. After devoting more than 10 years to my art and performance project, KNITTING NATION. I thought it was time to get going on some new wearable design ideas that have been percolating in my imagination for some time.

RR: What is the collection comprised of?

LC: There are 4 different sweater styles: HOLE, BUBBLE, FRINGE and HALF FRINGE. They are all the same basic design, featuring a drop sleeve and oversized, sweatshirt-style shape. It looks great on so many different people. They are hand loomed in Peru with baby alpaca and silk yarns with a basic neutral and bright palette. I work with a women-owned enterprise in Lima, Innovative Knitwear, which I’m really excited about. They employ some amazing craftspeople that are able to do more specialized work.

RR: What do you see as the ‘The Void’ in today’s fashion consumption?

LC: There are just way too many products on the low to mass-market level. It’s at an extreme and totally overwhelming level. No one needs all the options that are out there now. Where does all that stuff go once no one buys it? It’s so depressing. Closing down all the factories that are making all this low-grade apparel and laying everyone off certainly isn’t going to help. The whole infrastructure of countries and communities would have to change in order to support people and allow them to sustain their lives with alternatives to those jobs. I fear we’ve gone down a path that is perhaps irreversible.

RR: What was the concept behind your critically received installation project, KNITTING NATION?

LC: Knitting Nation is a performance and site-specific installation project. It reconfigures textile fabrication and apparel manufacturing in relation to the human labor behind it, with performance and collectivity as mediating forces. The project functions as a commentary on how humans interact with machines, global manufacturing, trade and labor, brand iconography, and fashion. The concept emerged in a series of conversations I had beginning in 2002 with friend, fashion designer Gary Graham. As independent and emerging designers working in the fashion industry, we felt the need to create a platform to reveal the emotions – the raw creative energy and labor-intensive processes that were part of our work. The project has been extremely well received and has been going now for almost 8 years, with 10 different phases.

RR: Your sweater designs are as relevant today as when they were first released, what do you think are the qualities of a design that makes it timeless?

LC: Design concepts that are based on simple phenomena and experiences, high quality materials use a straightforward color palette work best. A pared-down silhouette that is easy to wear, comfortable, versatile and accessible for various body shapes helps. A playful sense of joy is ultimately what I want to express in my designs. A garment that has a fun quality is enduring because it makes a person feel special, happy, and unique.

RR: What is it about knitwear that you find so inspiring?

LC: I love making things with knitting machines because this is where I have found a language. I’ve been able to create material and visual experiences I could not find and make anywhere else in any other way.

Images: Liz Collins

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Style never goes out of style…and it can be a lot easier than you think with some of these tips in your fashion arsenal.

If you’re like me, I like savvy style tips that I can implement today that won’t break my budget. Yes, we all know we should own a great LBD (little black dress), a classic cotton white t-shirt, a fitted blazer and a pointy closed-toe heel. These are all good but what about the other stuff that we come across on a daily basis like “how do I wear all white?” or “does this purse go with my outfit?”

We want simple solutions, am I right ladies? Below I’ve put together my top 10 style tips based on questions I’ve received from my clients and girlfriends.

1. Own at least one seamless nude bra and a Spanx slip in nude. These two items will solve a lot of undergarment see-through issues. Be sure to match the nude color as close to your skin tone as possible.
2. You’re handbag doesn’t have to match your shoes! Tie in your handbag or shoe colors with other accessories instead, like a belt, hat, bracelets, etc.

3. Wearing all white is a statement, try mixing different materials and textures and layering pieces when going for this monochromatic look.
4. Save a trip to the tailors for those jeans that are too long. Instead use a few strips of fashion tape and fold the amount you want inward (reverse outside cuff).
5. If you’re bustier, go for a higher neckline as oppose to a plunging or low v-neck. This will actually flatter your figure more.
6. Muffin top can be hidden by purchasing pants or jeans that hit right at your waistline instead of below it.

7. Make a blazer, jacket, sweater or button shirt feel new again by changing out the buttons with some detail.
8. Thinly shaped belts (1/2 inch to an inch wide) are classic and chic, use one to cinch a cardigan or sweater right at the waistline to give your body shape.
9. Scarves are great accessories, don’t be afraid to try one’s with bold patterns and color. It will brighten up your face without having to use bronzer.
10. Jewelry pairing is tricky, so here are my savvy rules: If you’re wearing big earrings go for a dainty necklace or go without and instead pair with a chunky ring or layered bangles. If you’re wearing a statement necklace pair with small stud earrings or no earrings.

Images: Vincent Boiteau, PacificCoastNews, Scrapbook.com

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