SUNO New York offers gorgeous womenswear collections that celebrate the textile traditions of global cultures by supporting artisan communities.

SUNO is a New York-based fashion label that designs and creates beautiful womenswear in collaboration with artisan communities of textile weavers and garment assemblers. Launched in 2009 by Max Osterweis and designer Erin Beatty, the label initially used Osterweis’ stockpile of vintage Kenyan textiles to produce the first collection, which was predominantly manufactured in Kenya. The designs, bold prints and lively colors spoke to the fashion community, and the label has since grown to become a successful designer brand. Nonetheless, the label has kept its integrity by supporting the beautiful creations of artisan communities in several countries, and by creating clothing that is impeccably tailored and responsibly made.

SUNO Autumn-Winter 2013

Since its founding, SUNO has evolved to include textile producing artisan communities in India, Peru, Kenya, as well as its home base in the New York Garment District. Kenya, a long time home to Osterweis, is where production began as the founder wanted to help save the Kenyan economy after the post-election violence of Spring 2009. After SUNO’s opening show, retailers such as Opening Ceremony, Enny di Monaco, Ikram and Maria Luisa quickly caught on to the brilliance of this fresh, new label, soon sharing the label with style and ethics savvy women. Other distributors were quick to follow, as SUNO is currently available at more than 60 retailers worldwide, with names such as Harvey Nichols, Celine and The Webster on the roster.

SUNO Autumn-Winter 2013

The use of traditional techniques renders SUNO garments of the highest quality, while and emphasis on fit and detailing makes these ethnically inspired collections accessible to the modern, urban woman. Fabric is definitely one of the main features in all SUNO collections, and although their garments often assume a tribal or folksy feel the designers say: “When we’re looking at textiles, we don’t really think about them as being ethnic or not ethnic. We see them as beautiful and interesting, or not. We’ll never abandon beautiful and interesting patterns.”

SUNO Autumn-Winter 2013

Despite the ubiquitous unwearability of several designer collections, SUNO manages to create cute ensembles and separates that can easily be paired with basics for a unique and comfortable outfit. As seen at the recent NY fashion week shows, SUNO’s ethnic and folkloric style has taken a Slavic twist for the colder months of 2013. Golden paisley prints, floral prints and embroidery, ruffled hemlines, coverall dresses and pinstriped shirtdresses evoked modern Russian dolls at SUNO’s show. Fashion crowd favorites were definitely the Swarovski crystal encrusted piece, which injected a bit of lavish glamour to the dainty collection.

SUNO Autumn-Winter 2013

Collaborations with jewelry designer Pamela Love and footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood have allowed SUNO to offer accessories that evoke the optimistic, fresh and vibrant looks of their garments. Vibrant, eye-catching and intelligently designed, these ethically produced collections are definitely an investment to flaunt and be proud of. Although Osterweis and Beatty haven’t created the label around the message of sustainability, their mission to “create a visible and sustainable brand that produces high quality clothing…while using and developing local talent” is being brought to life through their luxurious, logical and definitely lovable clothing.

Images: SUNO 

The post SUNO: Unique Modern Fashion with Respect for Tradition appeared first on EcoSalon.

Happy birthday Honest by! The Spring/Summer 2013 Honest by Bruno Pieters collection, pictured above, presents an eclectic mix of breathtaking designs.

“Everyone deserves to dream but everyone also has the right to live those dreams. No planet, no man, no woman, no child or animal should live a nightmare in order for me to live my dream.The story behind a garment needs to be as beautiful as the design. Whether our outfit costs 100 or 100.000 Euros the story needs to be one that fits with who we truly are.” – Bruno Pieters

Honest by, the world’s first transparent fashion label, reached its 1 year anniversary on Wednesday the 30th of January. EcoSalon would like to recognize the Honest by team’s significant efforts toward marrying beautiful designs, quality materials, respectful manufacturing methods and honest business practices to create a truly sustainable fashion brand. Their creations have been an inspiration and have set forth positive new paradigms for fashion and all that it involves.

Honest by Bruno Pieters Spring/Summer 2013

Demonstrating how the fashion process has the ability to be gracious and humane,  and how all parts of the process can work in harmony with each other has been a significant achievement on the part of founder Bruno Pieters and the team working with him. Bruno started the company with the aim of providing a story for every garment that he designs, making sure to provide all the information from materials sourcing, to carbon footprint and price calculation, so that fully informed and responsible purchasing decisions can be made.

                   Honest by Calla                                 Honest by Maison des Talons

Over the last year, Honest by has collaborated with several designers to launch gorgeous and responsive collections. New York based Calla Haynes, German designer Anne Pastré, Canadian Nicolas Andreas Taralis, and shoe design duo Maison des Talons have all created collections for Honest by, showcasing the range of materials, design aesthetics and garment types that can be made with integrity and awareness. The concept of timeless design is embraced in these collections, all of which are currently available at the Honest by online store.

Honest by Bruno Pieters Spring/Summer 2013

On October 10^th, 2012 Bruno launched his S/S 2013 collection on the Honest by site, which includes an array of intriguing prints, exquisite colors and striking silhouettes, all beautifully blended with the designer’s renowned tailoring skills. Bruno’s inspiration from his travels in India, Japan and France are clearly evident through the kimono profiles, paneling, jewel tones and stripes. The coveted collection is currently available on a pre-order basis through the online shop, with several styles already sold out.

Honest by Bruno Pieters Spring/Summer 2013

On Honest by’s 1 year anniversary, Bruno Pieters sent out a public note addressing the progress of the label, sincerely giving thanks for all the support, and asking his audience fundamental questions about our current way of being in the world. He stated his temporary leave as the Honest by spokesperson for 2013, as he will be traveling and working on another project for the year. Although Honest by Bruno Pieters will no longer be showing at fashion week, the label will continue to release new designs during the year.

Honest by Bruno Pieters Spring/Summer 2013

Images: Honest by

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