Henry Schwab of Kate Organic, Synergy Organic and son

There are lots of men thriving in some way or another in the eco-fashion world. We’ve decided to give them a plug as it’s often their female counterparts getting the buzz on EcoSalon.

In fact, we’re going to do a weekly mini-series celebrating their work. We’ll call October “Men In Eco-Fashion” month.

First up is Henry Schwab, co-president of Kate Organic (Kate’s his wife) and sister company Synergy Organic. In addition to recently becoming a dad to a second child and balancing his firstborn on his hand, Henry is busy with all that makes a business go round successfully.

I caught up with him recently amidst the bustle of his daily life in California.

What challenges you more in the fashion world, the design or the business end of things?

I work more on the business end, but help with colors and styles. Challenges come up everyday in so many ways. We all have the same problem as everyone in the non-eco world: shipments late, wrong fabrics, kids getting sick, price points”¦

I asked the question on Twitter “Do you know of any men involved in the eco-fashion industry?” and all said they didn’t know of one. Does that surprise you?

No. If you asked men if they knew women involved in professional sports you would hear the same thing. At least we are seeing more male nurses.

How challenging is it to either design or work with the designer creating for the opposite sex?

Both men and women like to see a woman look good so I don’t find it hard. My main problem is the women on our staff (my wife), liking for me to be well-groomed and as a Santa Cruz, California hippie, my look is for 1969. But I try to keep up with the modern eco-fashion. I’m just waiting for the cycle to come back to my look.

What do you think is the hardest part of being a sustainable designer?

Survival!

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