Features - These Native Goods

The Return of Filosofia

Chandra Fox — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 00:22:36 +0000

I was first introduced to Sofia Kang’s line Filosofia years ago, shortly after I launched These Native Goods. I instantly fell for her easy to wear, elegant silhouettes. She designs the type of clothing that you can throw on to feel both comfortable and put together. As a mom this is something that I always look for, I feel like I am constantly on the go, I need to be able to move freely and keep up with a four year old. I want clothing that has ease, but that I still feel presentable in. Filosofia’s pieces hit the nail on the head with their effortless style. She is a mom of two so she definitely gets it!

Sofia took some time off from Filosofia to focus on other design projects but she is back with a beautiful new Spring/Summer 2019 collection. As always her pieces are made using either natural or sustainable materials, lots of linen, organic and conventional cotton, silk and Tencel. As a proud Korean-American Sofia ethically produces the line in both the USA and South Korea (manufacturing location can be found in the product details on her site). I got to play dress up in a few of my favorite pieces from the new collection (pictured below) and they didn’t disappoint.

Her dresses are so easy, I wanted to keep each look simple and clean for Spring/Summer to show how they really are a complete outfit with just one piece of clothing. But they would work just as beautifully layered under sweaters or jackets for Fall/Winter (word is that she’s coming out with USA knit sweaters for Fall). I also tried the soon to be released Sienna Jacket and Ella Pant, I loved the two pieces together for a casual suit inspired vibe. The Jacket has a slightly oversized look, with the off the shoulder seam and longer hem. It reminded me of a minimal blazer and trench coat hybrid. The piece was great with the Ella Pant, but it is also super versatile and would look beautiful over dresses, jeans or just about anything. The Ella Pant was my favorite piece. They have the look of a tailored trouser but the comfort of drawstring pants because of the elastic at the back of the waist, and the loose fit throughout the hip and legs.

I am so thrilled to welcome Filosofia back to our directory and can not wait to see what the future holds for the brand. Thank you Sofia for letting me check out your new collection! Photos, details and links below.

Look 1 Chloe Dress in Ink, vintage slippers via Barnaby Jack and Egg Earrings by Sophie Monet (worn throughout).

Look 2 Leah Dress in Wheat, Closed Toe Clogs in Natural by Zuzii.

Look 3 Sienna Jacket (coming soon) and Ella Linen Pants in Vanilla both by Filosofia, vintage tank top similar here and Mohinders Womens City Slippers in Solid Leather.

Look 4 Sienna Jacket (coming soon) and Ella Linen Pants in Vanilla both by Filosofia, top by Lacausa and Mohinders Womens City Slippers in Solid Leather.

Shop the entire Filosofia collection www.filosofiala.com and follow along @filosofia_la.

Mien

Chandra Fox — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 23:12:18 +0000

I have been following Mien on instagram for awhile now and I’m very excited to finally include the line in our directory! Designer Lisa Hsieh started the brand while pregnant with her son, so it only makes sense that motherhood is her biggest inspiration. The pieces are meant to provide ease and comfort during our busy days, running around town, chasing our little ones and keeping up with life in general. Lisa also designed them to accommodate our changing bodies, through pregnancy, nursing and all the other changes life presents us with. The collection includes matching pieces for kids too and some adorable jersey clothing made from organic cotton.

Lisa Kindly sent me one of her Painters Button Shirt’s in Cedar Green. The top is a great versatile piece that can be worn on its own or as a light cover up over your favorite outfit. Coordinating trousers are also available if you want a casual suit look and they come in a variety of colors. I love how easy it is to throw on and instantly feel presentable. I’ve tried the top with dresses, trousers, jeans and even leggings, it works with so many different outfits making it a great core piece. Below I paired it with Jesse Kamm sailor pants, a vintage tank, Zuzii clogs and a necklace that belonged to my late uncle. Above it was worn closed with a pair of vintage Levi’s (not shown) and Sophie Monet earrings.

All Mien pieces are made locally in Los Angeles, even the jersey fabric is custom knit, then dyed within 20 minutes of Lisa’s studio. Shop the full collection at www.mienstudios.com and follow along @mienstudios.

At home facial

Chandra Fox — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 23:21:17 +0000

I try a lot of skincare products for my website. Before I add a new company to the directory I personally test out a handful of their goods. So I spend a fair amount of time as a cosmetic guinea pig. However my personal daily beauty routine had become so quick and short that it could hardly be considered a routine. A few splashes of water on my face, eye cream (mostly because if I skip it I get rashes around my eyes) and a face oil. If I was working from home I would often just spritz a few sprays of facial mist and skip the washing until I showered later.

I turned 36 this year and as I tend to do around my birthday I started over analyzing everything about my life. Work, personal life, parenting, growth (or lack of)..... and also my physical appearance. Which is when I noticed my skin was not in a good place. I have always had very dry skin, sensitive as well and with blemishes coming around on a fairly regular basis. But for the most part my skin would probably be considered pretty decent. However things had taken a turn for the worst, my skin looked like it had an extra layer of skin. Creased, dry and tired, with pores that were staring back at me. My first sad thought was “oh great this is my new face, welcome to 36.” But I reached out to my cousin at Natural Feeling Spa to see if she had any game changing ideas. Our conversation went something like this;

Adina “have you been drinking a lot of wine?” Me “yes.”

Adina “have you been drinking enough water?” Me “no.”

Adina “what type of cleanser do you use?” Me “no”......

Adina “seriously chandra!! You must cleanse!!”

Adina “do you exfoliate at least?” Me “no.”

Adina “mask?” Me “sometimes (product testing).”

Adina “ like a couple times a week? “ Me “no.”

Adina “serum?” me “nah.”

Basically I was doing everything wrong. Testing out products, but not maintaining a proper routine was leaving my skin pretty neglected. I also wasn’t using any of the strong active stuff regularly, which I now know makes a world of difference. One of the coolest things about having a natural aesthetician in the family, sleepovers/at home facials! Adina walked me through a routine that left my skin looking like I had just gone in for a spa treatment. I’ve been doing that same routine day and night since then, and although it takes more time my skin looks so much better! I had a moment the other day where I thought to myself “maybe my skin wasn’t that bad and maybe I am just imaging the improvement.” Then I got a call from my husband at work. He said “I was telling my friend how great your skin looks and he wants to know what you’re using.” Validated.

So I figured I would share the steps and the products that I have been using here too. Our skin is all different (again I’m sensitive, dry and blemishy) so products that I love might not be perfect for you. But most of the ones listed below are pretty universal and I think a big part of my improvement is due to the steps themselves. Taking the time to cleanse, exfoliate and mask regularly has been a game changer. *The Lotus Moon products were recommended by my cousin, the others were items I already had or was gifted to sample. If you live in LA I can’t recommend Adina Diaz and Natural Feeling Spa enough, her treatments are amazing and she can personally tailor a product routine for you. I swear it’s not just because she’s family.

First step - the oil based cleanser, I have been using a balm style one, the C + C Cleansing Balm $35 by Lotus Moon. Massage it into dry skin to help break up dirt and makeup (while also adding moisture), rinse and pat dry. This step is also a great time to add a little facial massage which helps stimulate blood flow. Adina showed me some of her magical moves, which you can get a little peek at in her latest video (a guide for men’s facials) watch it here. She also plans to share another video focused on massage tips and I will share that when she releases it.
Second step - the gel or cream cleansers (thats right, I now do two steps of cleansing), lately I’ve been alternating between the Coconut Cream Hydrating Cleanser $34 by Lotus Moon or Matilija Canyon Cleanse Botanical All-purpose soap From $19 by Rowsie Vain. They both do a nice job of cleaning away excess oil without drying my skin. Gently pat dry leaving skin a little moist and continue to the next step.
Third step - exfoliate, I do this three times a week, either in the morning or at night. My two current favorites are Cardamom and Bamboo Polishing Creme $30 by Lotus Moon and Nourish Facial Exfoliant $46 by Ona Organics. Both do a great job of clearing away dead skin without stripping away moisture.
Fourth step - a mask, do this one twice a week after the other steps. I have been using both the Organic Honey Masque $34 by Lotus Moon and Enliven Mask $54 by Ona Organics. I also really like Raw Cacao Mask + Peel $46.00 by Lotus Moon and Bee Rosy Exfoliating Clay Mask $28 by Wildcare. Doing the first three steps before applying a mask makes a big difference. I use to just apply masks on unprepped skin and my results weren’t as good.
Fifth step - serum, this one changes for day and night, but both products contain active ingredients with anti aging benefits. For day I have been using Hyaluronic Intensive $50 and for night Firm and Refine Night Gel $46 both are by Lotus Moon.
Sixth step - moisturize, for day I use Hibiscus Flower Hydrating Lotion $34 and for night Cherry Blossom Healing Soothe $48 also both by lotus moon. I occasionally still use a face oil for this step, my favorites are Beauty Oil $78 by RMS Beauty (I know its a splurge) or Deep Serum $55 by Noto Botanics.
Seventh step - eyes, I’ve been using the same eye cream for the last 12 years, its a no fuss product from a small company in Oregon. I use to get dry eczema type patches around my eyes and they stopped when I started using this, the Wild Rose Hydrating Eye Cream by Wild Carrot Herbals is also priced really nice at $15.99 (it usually lasts me a couple months too). For night I’ve been adding the Roll-On Eye Serum $28 by Lotus Moon under my eyes as well. The rollerball has a relaxing and cooling effect when applied, which is lovely. I prefer it just at night though because it can leave my skin looking a little glossy.
I know its a lot of steps, but its actually a fairly quick process. The monetary investment is also daunting when you look at the prices all together, but you can sub in products that you already own too. Below is my face makeup free and unedited, my apologies for not having a before, I know not being able to compare is a buzzkill. But let me tell you, its a big improvement.

Botanically dyed bows by KdBird

Chandra Fox — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 18:45:26 +0000

I have a very girlie daughter, with an independent spirit. She’ll be five in March but she stopped letting me dress her almost a year ago. Our styles are typically pretty different so I guess I get it, she’s into bright colors, piling on the layers and lots of accessories (a more is more kind of girl). I like earthy tones, nuetrals and kind of a minimal California style (sometimes feminine but also very tomboy). KdBird’s accessories are the perfect balance of what we both love. Olivia’s into the fact that they are bows and something pretty for her hair, she likes the variety and different fabrics. She also enjoys hearing about how they are dyed, because she’s incredibly curious about where things come from. I love the colors, textures and homegrown vibe of the brand.

Katie Burki is a mother herself, she created the line after the birth of her daughter Gracie. The accessories are all made using natural fibers, linen, cotton and silk, then colored with plant or mineral dyes. Katie uses her experience as a horticulturalist and garden designer, plus her love of plants, to create unique and interesting pigments. Some of the ingredients are grown and some are foraged, they include things like wild mushrooms, pomegranate skin, acacia and fustic wood.

In addition to the earth friendly dyes KdBird also uses deadstock fabric when available and packages her products with the planet in mind. The bows are wrapped in a certified compostable plastic alternative and they ship in 100% recycled paper. Very excited to add KdBird to our directory and equally excited to have found another line that both Olivia and I can agree on.

Linen Maxi Bow in Rust, similar here.

Silk Velvet Mini School Girl, left to right Garden Walnut (dyed with foraged materials) and Honey (dyed with cutch/acacia).

Linen Mini School Girl in Mallard, dyed with indigo and overdyed with fustic wood.

Linen Top Knot in Winter Wheat, dyed with foraged mushrooms (dyer's polypore).

Shop all KdBird products at www.kdbird.com and follow along @kd.bird.

Getting cozy with Homestead

Chandra Fox — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 01:19:01 +0000

USA made organic cotton sheets are a hard thing to come by, maybe because domestically grown and milled organic woven fabrics are not readily available. Organic jersey (knit) fabrics are a little more accessible, the reason you can typically find a fully USA made tee-shirt much easier than say, a button up (or as mentioned, sheets). Not to say that domestically made woven’s don’t exist, but they are few and far between, with price tags to match their exclusiveness. I’ve been browsing sheets a bit lately because our last pair just gave out, in my search I either found items that were out of my budget or brands that were a bit too vague about their supply chains. My quest for domestically manufactured organic cotton sheets within my price range fell flat. Serendipitously a photographer friend enlisted me to model for an organic company she was working with. Something I don’t do often anymore, but shooting with her is always more fun than work and the line sounded pretty cool.

Homestead sheets are certified organic, fair trade and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards), their products are manufactured in Indian with care and consideration in every step of the process. The organic factor means no GMO’s, fungicides, pesticides or insecticides are used in the growing process. So less impact on the environment from the get go (organic cotton also uses less water and energy than conventional cotton farming), but Homestead continues with the thoughtful manufacturing past that. Heavy metals, synthetics and bleach are never used in the processing of the cotton, creating a safer environment for workers, less impact on the planet and a cleaner product. The sheets are dyed using low impact dyes, which require less water, less energy and create less waste. The final product is packaged without plastic, neatly folded inside a pouch made from the same material as the sheets, with no added stuffing. Just a perfect little bundle of comfy, non toxic bedding.

I loved the sheets right away when I shot for the company, nothing like spending the day in a cozy bed and calling it work. The icing on the cake was getting my very own set (now pictured in my home). I chose the Percale in White Sand (kind of a warm off white), the percale is the crisper of their two fabric options, Sateen being the other. If you like traditional cotton sheets (like I do) the Percale is perfect, if you prefer softer and less prone to wrinkles Sateen is just lovely. Its a fantastic time to try some for yourself because Homestead extended their holiday sale until the end of this week (11.30.18). Right now everything is 30% off, plus you get an additional pillow case set with code GRATITUDE30.

Shop their sheets www.yourhomestead.com and follow along @yourhomestead.

Statement Earrings

Chandra Fox — Thu, 31 May 2018 17:08:01 +0000

During my daughters baby and early toddler years I missed out on a lot of earring wearing, curious hands were just too risky. As my girl has gotten older I have fully embraced the accessory again. Partly because I couldn’t for so long, but also because there are so many beautiful options out right now. Below are several of my favorite styles from Los Angeles and NY designers (plus one traveling maker). Some of the pieces are fine jewelry with prices to match, while some are more affordably priced, all are handmade with love. As you will see I have a thing for stones or anything that mixes natural elements.

Jessica Winzelberg

I love the smooth stones next to the delicate design of the metal connectors that Jessica Winzelberg uses for her Mobile earrings. Her color combinations are just stunning and she perfectly mixes the different sizes and shapes of the stones. Shop at www.jessicawinzelberg.com.

Crescioni

The hammered metal and woven palm or stitched leather compliment each other so nicely. Palm earrings are made partly in Los Angeles and Oaxaca, Mexico, woven in collaboration with Norma Lilia Cruz Santiago. The blend of soft and hard materials is just beautiful, shop at www.crescionicollection.com.

Catzorange

I am a big fan of these playful pendulum earrings, they are made from either wood, glass, acrylic or baroque pearl beads. You can order as a pair, single or mix and match www.catzorange.com.

Kathleen Whitaker

The combination of natural stone (or shell) and fine metal is breathtaking. A beautiful juxtaposition of straight clean lines and organic angles, shop at www.kathleenwhitaker.com. *Header image is also a Kathleen Whitaker piece.

Hello zephyr

Perfect lightweight polymer clay earrings in gorgeous earthy colors and fun shapes. Designer Gabriela Maraschin hit the road with her family and will be creating her line from France for the time being. But she is still shipping to the US and working with the same suppliers as before. Follow along with her on instagram for a peek at their travels and shop at www.hellozephyr.com.

Mary MacGill

The balance between delicate metal wire and sizable polished stones is just lovely. Mary has a way with wire wrapping that is minimal and unique, giving her pieces a clean, beautiful aesthetic. Shop her collections at www.marymacgill.com.

*All photos courtesy of the designers.

A Go Gently afternoon

Chandra Fox — Thu, 10 May 2018 15:57:30 +0000

Gauze is one of my top three favorite fabrics, the texture, weight and user friendliness make it ideal (especially in LA’s climate). Go Gently Nation elevates this material by offering an organic version. Gauze isn’t their only eco friendly fabric either (I gushed about their sustainable practices in my Earth Day post if you want to check that out). Their spring collection includes 100% organic cotton pieces, plus some hemp and organic cotton blends that are just lovely! Could wear the Maxi Hemp Shirt Dress all day every day. In typical Go Gently fashion the fabric is available for both mamas and kiddos. How cute is this little Woven Shirt Dress, and of course there is one for you too. The line is currently offering 20% off their women’s collection through the weekend, as a Mothers Day gift to you. No code needed, prices are as marked www.gogentlynation.com.

Pictured on me the Gauze Caftan Dress and Hemp Maxi Shirt Dress, on Olivia the Gauze flutter Dress.

Maiyet Mothers Day picks

Chandra Fox — Tue, 08 May 2018 23:44:30 +0000

We teamed up with the evergrowing Maiyet Collective to shot some of their pieces for Mother’s Day. All the looks are currently available on their site, follow links to shop. The pictures include some ethical brands that we have featured in our Maiyet collaborations before, like Raven + Lily and Voz. Plus USA made friends where Mountains Meet and more. Pop into their SoHo store or shop online to score a last minute ethically made gift for mom.

Raven + Lily Emilia Tunic, Raven + Lily Bree Statement Necklace in Blush + Raven + Lily Mara Stitch Tote in Brown

where Mountains Meet Audrey Jumpsuit, Round + Square Girl Power Silk Bandana + Stelar Sumba Folded Clutch Bag in Rainbow.

Raven + Lily Genet Button Dress in Stripe Cotton

VOZ Stripe Edge Caftan in Ivory/Sky Blue + Maiyet Horn & Gold Link Necklace

VOZ Straw Bag

Royal Jelly Harlem Lana in Antique Rose

Eleven Six Cecilia Dress in Terracotta, Round + Square Cashmere Shawl in Olive Nights

where Mountains Meet Georgie Blouse + where Mountains Meet Calder Pant

where Mountains Meet Whitney Dress + Stelar Moyo Drum Bag in Electric Blue

Teressa Foglia Ivan Hat in Rust

Earth Loving Local Brands

Chandra Fox — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 16:46:29 +0000

In honor of Earth Day this year I wanted to highlight some of the brands in our directory who make eco friendly practices a part of their company ethos. Because the fashion industry is one of the top polluters in the world, and every effort to reduce that is appreciated and vital. Of course all the companies on our site manufacturer locally, which helps cut down on transport related emissions; as well as additional packaging used for overseas shipping. But many also use natural and/or sustainable fabric, recyclable containers (beauty and home brands) and they try to run their businesses in a conscious way (everything from dye choices, to hang tags, packaging and waste management). Additionally many of the beauty brands use organic ingredients and all of them are cruelty free/no animal testing (because animals are part of Mother Earth too).

Below is a sampling of some of the sustainable clothing brands in the directory, there are many more listed but I didn't have time to gush about them all. On the site there is an Eco tag under brands who go the extra mile, you can also enter it in our search to pull up a list of companies with the tag. Note, please bear with me I am in the processing of updating brand bios so some info isn't up to speed yet (I hope to have it finished soon).

Christy Dawn

Brand Christy Dawn

Location Los Angeles, CA

Offerings Dresses, tops, outerwear, bags and bridal.

Style feminine, vintage inspired, known for floral prints and easy to wear dresses.

Sustainability Christy Dawn's collections are all made using only deadstock fabric. I have mentioned deadstock a lot, but for those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, it is surplus material. Large fashion brands tend to over order their fabric, either intentionally or to meet minimum order requirements. They generally end up with a ton (millions of tons collectively) of surplus. An estimated 40 billion square feet of potential waste. Not only is Christy Dawn helping to save this fabric from the landfill by utilizing it in her designs, but she is cutting back on the environmental impacts associated with manufacturing new material (an area where much of the fashion industries pollution happens). Using deadstock also means that all of Christy’s dresses are small batch, creating a higher demand for the looks while further reducing the possibility of fashion waste from unsold goods. In addition to the smart fabric choices, Christy Dawn has also eliminated plastic from her packaging. Orders instead come in a reusable wooden box.

Personal favorites The Dawn Dress, Lennon Dress, Phoebe Jumper and Daisy Dress.

Additional fan mail I love that the brand openly talks about environmental issues, raising awareness with their gorgeous designs. Christy's dresses also happen to be those perfect dream pieces that you can just throw on and immediately feel put together and beautiful in.

Social @christydawn

Botanica Workshop

Brand Botanica Workshop

Location Los Angeles, CA

Offerings Underwear, swim and loungewear.

Style Minimal, fuss free, feminine but not overtly girlie, vintage inspired.

Sustainability Designer Misa Miyagawa creates her gorgeous pieces using organic cotton, silk (both biodegradable and renewable resources) and recycled nylon for her swimwear (excellent UV protection and OEKO-TEX certified for safety). Additionally fabric is dyed using low impact dyes. Eco friendly practices are a big part of Botanica Workshops ethos, she tries to implement them in every part of her business; by reducing waste, recycling/using recycled supplies and even composting lunch scraps.

Personal favorites Calla Cami, Astra Hi-Waist Brief, Kona Dress, Nami Swimsuit.

Additional fan mail I have always been a big fan of Misa's choice of colors and her ability to design pieces with a grown up and sophisticated femininity. I also love the versatility of her loungewear pieces, great at home or out in the world.

Social @botanicaworkshop

Harvest & mill

Brand Harvest & Mill

Location San Francisco, CA

Offerings Eco basics for women and men.

Style Casual, easy, comfortable.

Sustainability Harvest & Mill is truly USA made, every step from the growing of the organic cotton, the milling of the fabric, to the sewing of the garments. It all takes place domestically. Lets talk about why organic cotton is so great, it is grown without pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. Additionally organic cotton is non GMO (it is estimated that 90% of conventional cotton is GMO) and it requires less water. Conventional cotton is one of, if not the most pesticide reliant crops in the world, accounting for almost 1/4 of the planets pesticide usage. Despite the fact that less than 3% of farmland is used to grow cotton. Additionally herbicides and harsh chemicals are used in both the harvesting and processing of cotton fibers. The organic cotton used by Harvest & Mill avoids these toxins in both the growing and processing steps; and they use plant based or low impact dyes to color their fabrics. Another bonus with organic cotton, its fully compostable as are all the packaging and labels used by the company. You can read more about the benefits of this material and the environmental strain created by conventional cotton on the Harvest & Mill site.

Personal favorites The Raglan, Women's Crew and the Original Crew (unisex).

Additional fan mail Their shirts have a soft, broken in feel and are great dressed up or down. Plus I love the fact that they are an entirely USA made brand!

Social @harvestandmill

Town Clothes

Brand Town Clothes

Location Los Angeles, CA

Offerings Womenswear, dresses, pants, tops, outerwear and pantsuits!!

Style Modern, minimal and clean, with retro inspirations.

Sustainability Designer Krista Bachmeier Fox uses either deadstock fabric, organic cotton or hemp for her slow fashion label. The SS18 collection is made up of deadstock linen (dream fabric), an organic cotton poplin and a hemp/organic cotton blend. Hemp is a great sustainable fabric option because it comes from a renewable resource that doesn't require pesticides or herbicides to grow. It also returns nutrients to the soil essentially giving back to the earth.

Personal favorites Salima Dress, Market Blouse, Pontoise Pant and Williams Blouse.

Additional fan mail I am always so excited to see what Krista is going to make next, it is constantly something unexpected and beautiful. Her pieces exude a feminine strength and confidence; and they are always unique.

Social @townlothes

Pansy

Brand Pansy

Location San Leandro, CA

Offerings Undergarments and lounge.

Style Simplicity at its finest.

Sustainability Pansys undies, bras and lounge wear is all made using organic USA grown and milled cotton. The cotton is grown in Texas, milled in North Carolina, the fabric is then dyed with non toxic dyes and sewn in California. While the natural rubber and cotton elastic is from South Carolina, meaning every step of the process a domestic affair. Items are shipped in cotton bags to avoid unnecessary plastic waste.

Personal favorites Their classic Bra and Low Rise brief are closet staples for me, the newer Full Bra is great for a little more support too. Everything they make is so soft and comfy, currently coveting their Socks and Crop T-Shirt.

Additional fan mail They are a very body positive brand and always have the most beautiful images that show women of all shapes, sizes and colors. Their pieces also remind me of photos I have seen of my mom from the 1970's, they have a similar cut to vintage swimsuits she use to wear. And I love nostalgia.

Social @pansyco

Go Gently nation

Brand Go Gently Nation

Location Los Angeles, CA

Offerings Womenswear, kids and babies.

Style Easy, wearable, comfortable and minimal.

Sustainability Go Gently uses all organic cotton or hemp/organic cotton blends. They have a gorgeous light and breezy gauze fabric made from 100% organic cotton, the material is used on both kids and womenswear pieces. We love the eco friendly factor and the texture of the fabric, It is a personal favorite especially for LA's hot summers! In addition to sustainable fabrics the brand also uses recycled paper hang tags, water based inks, low impact dyes, recycled fabric remnants, eco packaging and implements eco friendly practices in every aspect of their business.

Personal favorites All of their gauze pieces (both mama and baby styles) especially fond of the Gauze Frock and Gauze Maxi Sundress. All of their kid pieces are adorable!! Really love the Sleeveless Prairie Dress (hemp/orgnaic cotton blend), Woven Snap Down Dress and the Stripe Woven Short (also a hemp blend) this season.

Additional fan mail I am always a fan of eco fabrics, but feel that they are especially great for baby and kids wear. Littles have such sensitive skin/bodies so the use of organic fabrics that avoid unnecessary chemicals and toxins is wonderful. I also love that they make mama and me dressing easy and stylish with their matching styles.

Social @gogentlynation

Jungmaven

Brand Jungmaven

Location Vancouver, WA

Offerings Jersey basics for women and men, plus woven jumpsuits, button ups, dresses, bottoms and more.

Style Great everyday pieces, wearable, comfortable and versatile.

Sustainability Founder Robert Jungmann was inspired to promote hemp as a renewable resource after witnessing the devastation caused but logging (specifically clear cutting). As mentioned before not only does hemp require no pesticides or herbicides to grow but its cultivation is actually beneficial to the environment. Through phytoremediation hemp plants can help remove toxins and heavy metals from soil and groundwater. Prized for its strong fibers and used throughout history the fabric has countless benefits.

Personal favorites Taos Top, Button front Jumper, Moab Dress, 100% Hemp Canvas Jumper and the Aspen Dress.

Additional fan mail Great neutral, earthy colors + soft fabrics.

Social @jungmaven

Galamaar

Brand Galamaar

Location Los Angeles, CA

Offerings Women’s swim.

Style Simple flattering cuts in a modern color palette.

Sustainability Not only is the nylon fabric used by designer Blakely Wickstrom recycled but it is made from discarded fish nets. Fish nets make up 10% of the oceans pollution and they are incredibly harmful to sea life, which naturally gets entangled in them. Removing the nets and recycling them is beneficial for us all, and as an added bonus it makes a strong fabric with great fit retention (prolonging the life of your swimwear). Galamaar extends their eco practices to other areas as well, with recycled hang tags and packaging. They also fulfill orders and ship form both coasts in an effort to further reduce carbo emissions.

Personal favorites Simon High Waist Two Piece and the Neeve High Waist Two piece.

Additional fan mail Can't get over the fact that they are making swimwear that actually benefits the ocean! Also love the placement of seams on Galamaars suits, they flatter the form beautifully.

Social @galamaar

As mentioned above this is just a sampling, there a lot of other sustainably minded lines in the directory. And in my opinion all of the brands are making a conscious effort to design better. In addition to Earth Day this Sunday, Fashion Revolution Week starts the 23rd, an event/organization helping to raise major awareness about the ethical and environmental issues within the fashion industry. Check them out for more info on why we need to do better and how you can help. I am forever thankful for the brands I work with who are giving people a better alternative to fast fashion, while simultaneously creating an example for other companies.

*photos all courtesy of the designers. Header photo from the Town Clothes SS18 lookbook, shot by Michelle Slater.

Gjenmi Jewelry

Chandra Fox — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 16:49:59 +0000

I was introduced to Jennifer S Pak through an amazing mom group (tribe) that I am a part of here in LA. The mama of two invited me into her studio earlier this week to check out her collection; and to talk about the ways motherhood has influenced the direction of her line. And what is that direction? Gjenmi (jhen-MEEH) strives to produce not just jewelry but keepsakes, reminders of the cherished moments and people in our lives. Jenny hopes for her creations to hold a special place in the heart of the wearer. Rather it’s a Mother’s Day gift of an engraved pendant, a re-crafted heirloom from a beloved family member (she does custom work) or a well deserved gift to yourself; the pieces are intended to be mementos. The way Jenny’s personal pieces are mementos of her own family. As a mom she strives to make jewelry that is not only symbolic and meaningful, but durable. She tests the pieces out herself and although aesthetically delicate they have survived both baby and toddler hands. Another major plus, her price points. Jenny aims to offer pricing that is accessible, with the majority of her pieces falling below the $500 price point (some even less than $200). Pretty great for locally made, plus conflict free materials and stones. Gjenmi is influenced by femininity and feminine strength, inspired to produce keepsakes and dedicated to offering fair pricing. Also, the pieces are gorgeous and made right here in Los Angeles.

Thank you for inviting us into your space Jenny. Shop the Gjenmi collections at www.gjenmi.com + follow along @gjenmi.

Meha Ceramics

Chandra Fox — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 17:20:39 +0000

I have been swooning over Meha Ceramics since first spotting them on Instagram over a year ago. The hand painted designs, earthy palette and unique shapes caught my eye. Collaborating with designer April Nickel gave me the chance to finally see her beautiful ceramics in person. They are even better in real life! The pieces are influenced by historical pottery from Native American, Mexican and East Indian cultures, among others. April’s inspirations are evident in her designs, elements like the minimal painting style seen on the Melancholy Face Dish and Faces Tumbler pictured above. As well as the neutral color palette seen throughout, and the footed details on the Ceremony Dish. To name a few.

After having her second daughter April was inspired to take a wheel throwing class, she dabbled with clay in both high school and college (Art Institute of Chicago) but never learned the wheel. Having children encouraged her to explore a creative field again, something that could be done from home, allowing April to spend more time with her family. Clay was the perfect medium and after taking the wheel class she never looked back. Meha was always used as a term of endearment by April and her closest friends, so she chose the name for her line.

Many of Aprils designs are one of a kind, all are small batch. One of my favorite things about handmade items is the possibility of singularity, knowing the piece is a limited work of art makes it so special. Her creations are also functional, like the adorable Resist Boob Ring Dishes or the Ceremony Dish (perfect for burning sage or palo santo). We are incredibly excited to welcome Meha Ceramics into the directory (and our home). Pictured are the Faces Tumbler, Melancholy Face dish, Resist Boob Ring Dish and Ceremony Dish.

*Meha Ceramic's entire site is currently on sale so its a great time to snag something special.

Shop Meha Ceramics here, all handmade in Chicago and follow along at @mehaceramics. Some additional styles also available at 48 & Sea.

Vapour Beauty

Chandra Fox — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 20:55:47 +0000

Green beauty was one of the first areas that I started exploring in my quest for a healthier lifestyle. Things that were important to me included non toxic and preferably organic ingredients, cruelty free (no animal testing), and of course products that performed well. Major additional pluses for anything packaged and produced in a sustainable manner. As with the entire directory the beauty section is ever growing, whenever we come across a brand with quality ingredients and cruelty free practices we give them a trial run. Although Vapour Beauty has been on our radar for some time, we just recently sampled a selection of their goods. They check all the boxes.

Vapour beauty is made in Taos, New Meixco, produced in the companies own USDA approved organic facility. They use solar power in their lab, offices and warehouse, plus a flood fill system to reduce waste. Additionally product boxes are made from post-consumer recycled paper printed with soy ink. None of their raw ingredients are irradiated and there is no animal testing on these or their finished products. Plus they avoid ingredients like toxic chemicals, parabens, preservatives, nanoparticles and fillers. I spent over a week sampling a range of their products, applying them daily and below I discuss my favorites. Click photos to shop.

favorites

Essence Restorative Night Treatment

I love face oils, but many of them only work for me during the day. My skin gets super dry at night and I tend to wake up feeling parched, unless I use a heavy cream moisturizer. However this restorative treatment is rich enough that it kept my skin hydrated, but was neither heavy or pore clogging. Ingredients include camellia seed, olive, jojoba, pomegranate, sea buckthorn and myrrh oils, along with a list of other natural extracts. Designed to help with cell renewal, to brighten skin tone and nourish stressed skin.

Halo Illuminator

Light and dewy, use it to highlight your cheekbones, brows or cupids bow. I tried some in the photo of the Aura Multi-Use Stain (scroll down to view), it brightens up the face a bit without being too shiny or glossy. Ingredients like tulsi, vitamin E, lotus and frankincense help to nourish the skin, encouraging a natural glow. One of the best things about natural beauty products is the potential for ingredients that actually benefit your skin, Vapour uses many of these in their makeup and skincare line.

AER Next Level Deodorant |Palo Santo Blood Orange

I just recently got my drivers license, up until a few months ago I could count on one hand the amount of times that I had driven. Aside from extreme heat, stress is one of the major factors that makes me sweat. Getting comfortable behind the wheel has had its fair share of stress to say the least. Add to that the 80+ degree weather that we've been having and the AER Deodorant has truly been put to the test. Happy to say that I love the results, I thought for sure all the running (driving) around town in this heat would have had me smelling pretty funky. But this deodorant saved me! I tried the Palo Santo Blood Orange scent but it also comes in Lavender Myrrh and Ginger Grapefruit. A sampling of all three is available on their site, if you're looking for a natural deodorant I highly recommend giving it a try.

Lux Organic Lip Conditioner

One of my absolute favorites, so smooth and moisturizing. The lip conditioner uses ingredients like coconut and jojoba oils, plus calendula to help nourish and hydrate. I love using this before bed as an overnight treatment, but its perfect for anytime. My daughter says it smells like strawberries and loves trying it on, which is fine by me because of the all natural ingredients!

Replenish Organic Nail & Cuticle Oil

Another one that I've been using at night, I keep it by my bed and apply the oil to my hands and nails before sleep. As it sets in the oil has kind of a soft matte feel, light and non greasy. Its not a heavy moisturizer and is aimed more at healing nails and conditioning the skin; with ingredients like reishi mushroom, horsetail herb and tulsi. I haven't been using this long enough to notice a major difference in my nails, but I like the way it makes my hands feel, also a big fan of the gentle citrus scent.

Aura Multi Use Stain | Enchant 211

Multi use stains are one of my favorite makeup items. I'm typically fairly low maintenance, a touch of concealer to hide my dark under eye circles, mascara and a dust of powder to combat shine. But when I'm feeling fancy I love a stain that works on both the lips and cheeks. Not only do I like the look of a stain over a powder blush or lipstick, but it keeps the makeup bag clutter free. I tried Enchant, a warm red with brown undertones and loved the way the color worked on both my lips and cheeks. It glides on smoothly and blends in easily, natural oils help to hydrate and protect. Click the slideshow arrows to see a shot of the color in action. Aside from my mascara, I used only Vapour Beauty products for this look. A light layer of the stain on my lips and cheeks, the Illusionist concealer in 030 and the Halo Illuminator. I really like the Illusionist concealer as well, it blends in smoothly and didn't crease even after a full day of wear, check out the product here.

Shop Vapour Beauty's full line at www.vapourbeauty.com and follow along @vapourbeauty.

The Maiyet Collective | Photo Story

Chandra Fox — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 17:08:14 +0000

A couple of months back we did a feature on Maiyet's new collective, a growing community of ethical and sustainable brands. Although These Native Goods is mostly focused on USA made companies, working with the collective allows me the opportunity to highlight thoughtfully created pieces from around the world. These include Maiyets own label, Kopal, Voz, Eleven Six, Olga Kapustina, Sandrine, Lola Fenhirst, Raven + Lily and more. Some of the designers manufacture their lines domestically, some ethically overseas and some do a combination of the two. Like Voz and Raven + Lily, who work with artisans globally to find the manufacturers and regions best suited for each design.

We shot a series of pieces from the collective including a handful of beautiful luxury knits from Maiyet and Eleven Six, some colorful artisan dresses from Kopal, lovely silks from Olga Kapustina, Voz and Raven + Lily. As well as a couple of Maiyets handbags, and jewels from Sandrine and Lola Fenhirst. Scroll through the slide shows below to see how we styled the looks. Which can be shopped at Maiyets SoHo location, with select pieces available online www.maiyet.com.

*Captions detailing the make and style of each look are only visible on a computer or tablet, my apologies for the inconvenience.

Knits + silk

Maiyet Asymmetric Midi Slip Dress in Silver + Maiyet Wrap Cardigan in Grey.

Maiyet Crewneck Sweater in Light Blue + Voz Palazzo pant in Navy.

Maiyet Crewneck Sweater in Light Blue + Voz Palazzo pant in Navy + Maiyet Como Large Satchel in Grey.

Maiyet Turtleneck in Ivory + Maiyet Fil Coupe Panel Skirt in Black.

Maiyet Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater in Grey + Raven & Lily Nurul Full Silk Maxi Skirt in Black.

Maiyet V-Neck in Ivory + Raven & Lily Nurul Full Silk Maxi Skirt in Black.

Maiyet Stripe Hem Poncho in Ivory + Raven & Lily Fiza Dress in Navy + Zuzii Close Toe Clogs in Natural.

Raven & Lily Ana Silk Pleat Maxi Dress in Black.

KOPal + Maiyet knitwear

Kopal Kuku Dress in Mustard Strip + Maiyet Stripe Hem Poncho in Ivory + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Kopal Riya Dress in Indigo Stripe + Maiyet Double Knit Cape in Navy + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Kopal Riya Dress in Indigo Stripe + Maiyet Como Large Satchel in Grey + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Kopal Kuku Dress in Block Polka + Maiyet Wrap Cardigan in Grey + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Sweater Dresses

Maiyet Knit Stripe V Neck in Ivory + Eleven Six Rib Tube Skirt in Nude + Maiyet Sia East/West in Cognac + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Maiyet L/S Long Fitted Sheath Dress in Maroon + Maiyet Sia East/West in Cognac + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Eleven Six Off Shoulder Sweater Dress in Multi + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Maiyet Knit Stripe Sheath Dress in Blk/Ch + Maiyet Sia East/West in Cognac + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Voz Cable Boatneck in Black/Opal + Eleven Six Rib Tube Skirt in Nude + Maiyet Sia East/West in Cognac.

Olga kapustina

Olga Kapustina Silk Georgette Blouse in Print + Maiyet Sia East/West in Cognac.

Olga Kapustina Silk Georgette Wrap Dress in Black + Doen Mary Jane Slipper.

Olga Kapustina Silk Georgette Wrap Dress in Black + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Olga Kapustina Silk Georgette Blouse in Print + Maiyet Como Large Satchel in Grey + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Olga Kapustina Silk Georgette Slip dress in Print + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

Olga Kapustina Silk Georgette Slip dress in Print + Maiyet Wrap Cardigan in Grey + Zuzii Closed Toe Clogs in Natural.

The accessories

Sandrine Xing Pendant + Maiyet Stripe Hem Poncho in Ivory.

Sandrine Cuff Bracelet.

Lola Fenhirst Sybil Rings + Maiyet Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater in Grey + Maiyet Sia East/West in Cognac.

Please check out our previous post for more info on the Maiyet Collective.

* As a note footwear is not yet part of the collective so each look is styled with pieces of my own, including a pair locally made in LA by Zuzii.

Grammar | the white shirt

Chandra Fox — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 16:08:15 +0000

I Have always had a thing for white shirts, they have been a wardrobe staple since my teen years. I love pairing them with blue jeans, trousers or even open over a dress. I love Buttoning every button all the way up to the collar or only a few for an undone look. I love wearing them tucked in with a blazer and tie, or tying them at the waist with high rise pants. Finding them in unique cuts can be a little tricky, especially in ethical and sustainable versions.

Althea Simons started her line Grammar (via a successful kickstarter) with the purpose of designing the perfect white shirt. By perfect I mean that it checked all the boxes, beautiful design, quality construction and conscious manufacturing. The line isn't just limited to the classic silhouette, although she does have that covered as well with the aptly named Verb. Althea branched out to create tops with volume, neck ties, waist ties, split collars, gathering and even a shirt dress with unique side slits. All sewn in New York using 100% organic cotton, ethically and sustainably sourced from India. We recently had the honor of giving The Split Infinitive a try and got to ask Althea a few questions about Grammar.

What is it about the white button up, in your words? What additional styles do you hope to add to the line in the future?

I love a white shirt. It is so iconic and classic, and I believe it truly looks good on everyone. The idea of Grammar is to offer wardrobe staples that every woman needs and make them better – high quality and accessible prices, ethical and sustainable. The white shirt is one of those pieces, yet they are really hard to find in the marketplace. It’s such a staple and yet so many brands get it wrong. It’s hard to find white shirts that are thoughtfully designed and fit well – it’s a real gap in the market.

The next pieces we are adding are pants, and then blazers. After that I will follow my community’s needs and requests. I want to do everything – even home – but I like adding categories one by one so I can really focus and study them.

You have a degree in neuroscience, yet you were raised around design, both your parents being architects. How do these different elements come into play in your line?

It’s funny, usually people ask “how did you go from neuroscience to fashion?” but when you look at my family and the way I was raised it really should be “how did you end up studying neuroscience?” My path has not been linear (at all!), but the thread that ties everything together is a fascination with human perception and behavior. Being observant and understanding peoples’ underlying desires and motivations is key to being a good designer, and also key to being a good marketer and a good behavioral neuroscientist. Getting my science degree taught me how to do research, and to approach problems with a certain amount of detached objectivism. I’m able to go back and forth between that type of perspective and a more empathetic, subjective perspective, which comes more naturally to me.

I have a strong sense of space, and the ability to manipulate objects in my mind. This definitely comes from my family genetics and upbringing (my brother is also a 3D artist, getting his MFA in Ceramics at RISD). I usually design on the form, draping rather than sketching.

Your collection is very detail oriented, can you talk a little about some of the design elements and what inspired them? Namely I would love hear more about The Split Infinitive that we are featuring.

I’m always collecting ideas for shapes and details. Sometimes I’m not sure what piece they will work with, and they may try to work on several pieces before they find their home. I wanted to do a billowy sleeve on one of the shirts, and it took me a while to figure out which silhouette it worked best with. I also love a dropped shoulder and armhole because I sweat a lot when I’m running around the city, so it’s nice to have some air! So I wanted to get that in the collection.

The collar detail was inspired by a vintage Romeo Gigli shirt I used to have. It had a similar overlapping two-piece collar that I just loved. I lost that shirt in a fire at my apartment two years ago, so I wanted to recreate it a little bit from memory.

I think about different body types when designing the silhouettes. This one is a little boxier so it works with rounder bodies and for those with very broad shoulders. It looks great with the front tucked in to slim or flared jeans or trousers, and even with baggier jeans cinched with a belt at the waist.

What drew you to local production and what have been some positives (or negatives) that you have experienced in starting a domestically manufactured and sustainable line?

I believe in using local resources as much as possible. Less travel is always better for the environment, and it’s so important to support our local community of artisans and craftspeople. There is so much talent here, and if we don’t support it we will lose it. That would be a tragedy. Manufacturing jobs are crucial to maintaining a middle class and, really, the American Dream.

I wish I could source more of my materials from the US but unfortunately the materials I want to use don’t exist here anymore. There is no long staple organic cotton grown here right now, and the machinery for spinning and weaving fine woven fabrics doesn’t exist either. It’s very sad!

I love knowing the people who make our clothes. I love being able to go into the factory and talk with the women and men working on them. It’s very rewarding. The turn around is much faster, so I can be more nimble in responding to demand. The main drawback is that it’s more expensive. However, for a brand producing small batches like we are, it would be almost as expensive to produce overseas and in most cases overseas factories won’t produce the kinds of numbers we do.

A big thank you to Althea Simmons for taking the time to answer our questions, and welcome to the directory Grammar!

Pictured above is The Split Infinitive Shirt, shop this and the rest of the collection www.grammarnyc.com and follow along @grammarnyc.

Milk and Honey Goods | Bliss Kit

Chandra Fox — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 01:08:42 +0000

Portland based company, Milk and Honey Goods has come up with a clever and attractive solution for zero waste dining on the go. Their Bliss Kit includes a wooden bowl, bamboo utensils, a natural dyed linen napkin and a canvas carrying tote. The tote has a small pocket inside to stow the napkin and utensils neatly away when not in use. A great little kit to keep in the car for road trips or lunch breaks, also a wonderful camping companion. The amount of throw away items that we use daily causes a huge environmental impact, I love seeing simple yet thoughtful solutions like this.

The napkin and tote are handmade in Portland, OR. Milk and Honey sources the bowls and utensils from trusted partners who sustainably manufacture overseas. Along with the Bliss Kit the line offers other home goods including pillows, macrame plant hangers and shibori dyed napkins, all made in Portland.

Milk and Honey Goods is hosting an Instagram giveaway for one of their awesome Bliss kits today. So be sure to check them out, Instagram link at the bottom of the page.

Shop the collection www.milkandhoneygoods.com and follow along @milkandhoneygoods.

USA Made Gifting Ideas

Chandra Fox — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 19:02:16 +0000

This year my gift guide is more like a collection of items I love, than a traditional guide. An uplifting spray from Poppy and Someday, a local tea brand that’s helping me combat the chilly fall weather, the softest handmade napkins, my favorite soaps (now in travel sizes), the scented oils I can’t get enough of and more. Each of the companies listed produce a whole range of other fantastic items as well, so give their sites a browse. In addition to the brands I'm including some great small shops that carry unique selections of local and artisans goods. Everything from smaller stocking stuffer type items, to beautiful treats to pamper yourself or that someone special.

Pictured above

Poppy and Someday - Marfa Moon Mist, a beautiful body + room spray to uplift the spirit. Notes of Frankicense, Petitgrain, Ylang Ylang, Lavander and Pinon Pine.

Sage & Stone - Dream, I love every one of these locally made teas, the collection includes 5 delicious blends + the attractive Eco friendly packaging makes them perfect for gifting.

Flora Poste - Flour Sack Shibori Napkins, these are the are the softest napkins and an absolute favorite of mine. They are a generous size so they get used for more than just napkins around here.

Bright Star & Buffalo - M is for Moon Wall Hanging and Wall Hook, great on their own as wall art or for hanging anything from keys or jewelry to hand towels.

Pictured above

Parks Project - Yosemite shirt, give while giving back, to our national parks (maybe more important right now than ever before). A percentage from each purchase goes towards the preservation of this precious land. *this particular style is no longer available, but plenty of other rad ones are.

Juniper Ridge, White Sage and Cascade Forest body wash, if you have been following along with us than you know I’m obsessed with these soaps, 100% natural and scented by nature. The travel sizes are perfect for stuffing stockings. Also worth noting that 10% of their profits are donated to the Western Wilderness Defense.

Milk and Honey Goods - Bliss Kit, perfect little Eco travel kit, contains one wooden bowl, bamboo utensils, a Naturally dyed napkin (available in three color ways) + a canvas carrying bag. Great for camping or travel. * bag + napkin are USA made, bowl and utensils are ethically/sustainably made overseas.

Pictured above

Wildcare - Purple Majesty Lavender Hydrosol, this all natural skincare line makes some of my favorite masks and Hydrosols. Hydrosols or floral waters are a great way to refresh the skin and give it a little burst of nutrients + healing benefits straight from the plant. The line includes the lavender pictured, palo santo, lemon light, empress cypress, rosemary + bay and Ojai white sage.

Rowsie Vain - Rise/Shine and Cactus Flower No7 Body Oils, I love every product that I’ve tried from this skincare line but I’m especially fond of her body oils. They are super moisturizing and her blending of essential oils gives them unique and delicious scents. The pretty little bottles would make great stocking stuffers.

Dani Kenney - Orange Grove 1977, I love this rich Little body butter, the line also makes a great selection of natural home products and skincare dedicated to mamas + babies.

B Joi - pictured is the Moon & Star ring which I adore, also check out these gorgeous studs and these beautiful mama and me necklaces. I love the unique textures of her pieces.

Tiffany Kunz - Light Balance ring, I love the simplicity of this ring, the feel of it on and the tampered band. The ring comes with and without stones, both versions are stunning (tip she also does custom pieces, but it’s getting close to the holidays so inquire with her directly about lead times).

Shops to browse

Merci Milo (for the kiddos)

Midland

Myrtle (currently having a huge moving sale)

Sankat (not a full store, but beautiful leather goods)

The Radder

Wild Poppy Goods

(For more ideas visit our directory)

Gift Boxes

Earth + Element (they also have a brick & mortar in Topanga Canyon, below image is of their ceramics)

Matriarch LA

Morning light gift studio

Other

Natural Feeling Spa (pampering, for LA area residents)

*Note some of the companies listed have been affected by the Southern California fires and are in evacuation zones, mainly those located in the Ventura County area. We know of one temporary shop closure so far, for Rowsie Vain (sending prayers your way Whitney) *shop reopened. In the mean time you can find her products in gift boxes from both Matriarch LA and Morning Light Gift Studio, as well as in store at Earth + Element. These markers could really use our support now more than ever, as everything is up in the air for them. I will notify of any further shop closures (or hopefully re-openings) and feel free to check the brands stockist pages to purchase through their vendors.

Hello Zephyr

Chandra Fox — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:46:54 +0000

Brazilian designer Gabriela Maraschin crafts her polymer clay jewelry as an ode to the places she’s seen. Each collection is inspired by her travels and after 8 years of roaming with her family she has a lot to be inspired by. A move to France with her husband and baby awoke a travel bug that lead the once journalist to start her own travel blog. After relocating to the USA in 2015 Gabriela felt the urge to create something with her hands, an outlet to express her experiences. Working with clay gave her a way to communicate the memories she was carrying with her; the people, places, food, a conversation.

Her current collections are all inspired by a road trip through California. Earthy colors mimic the light in the desert, the sand on the beach, the tones of the foliage and even a deep red aptly named Wine. Each piece is hand crafted using locally sourced materials in Upstate, New York. The polymer clay comes from an independent art shop near Gabriela’s home, the bags from an artisan in Illinois and the leather cord from an American company that uses non toxic dyes.

Hello Zephyr is a modern and minimal approach to statement jewelry. The pieces are lightweight, comfortable to wear, but unique and attention grabbing. The palette and clean lines compliment each other so beautifully; and I love seeing the story of her travels conveyed through her designs. The Route 66 earrings pictured are part of Gabriela’s Open Road collection. They remind me of gritty desert sand meeting a bright sky on the horizon. The Wine Choker, well you can’t come to California and not have wine. The color is a perfect Cabernet, balanced against the nude leather cord and grey bead. See our images of the pieces below and view the rest of her collection here.

Shop the collection www.hellozephyr.com + follow along @hello.zephyr. Pictured with vintage Levis, find similar here + vintage tank alternative option here.

Maiyet | the new collective

Chandra Fox — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 17:08:18 +0000

These Native Goods has always been focused on promoting a more conscious approach to consumerism. Our mission is to raise awareness about manufacturing issues while providing ethical and sustainable alternatives to mass production. While the site is based around goods made within the USA, my own shopping choices also include a wider range of ethical companies, as well as second hand or vintage pieces. I have been interested in featuring some of my favorite global companies for awhile now and the release of Maiyets new collective proved a great opportunity to do just that. Maiyet is an ethical luxury label based in Manhattan, they partner with artisans worldwide in an effort to preserve local craft and provide job opportunities for the makers. The nonprofit Nest, has been an integral part of their operation; the organization establishes artisan businesses all over the world, working with the local people to create jobs. Nests efforts are helping to keep cultural traditions alive, providing safe work environments and skill training, while creating transparency in the industry.

Maiyet recently reopened the doors of their Crosby Street store, after a month of renovations. The makeover was in preparation for the release of their new collective. A hand picked selection of ethically and sustainably minded brands from around the world. The Collective includes Raven + Lily, Voz, Article 22, Catzorange, Lois London, Koja, Yosuzi and a selection of natural beauty brands curated by Stae Natural. Some highlights, Raven + Lily provide fair wage jobs for 1,500 marginalized women, helping to them to break the cycle of poverty. Voz is dedicated to protecting the livelihoods, well-being and culture of rural indigenous women. Catzorange hand makes beautiful woven bags in their Brooklyn studio, paying special attention to detail and sourcing. Article 22 has a mission to transform negative into positive, their current jewelry collection Peacebomb is made using Vietnam War shrapnel in Laos. With each purchase Article 22 donates money to help clear unexploded ordnance in the area, additionally they have created a central development fund to help support the local community. You can read more about each brand and the collective as a whole on the Maiyet site.

The collective is aimed at not only providing a wider range of items, but also promoting a lifestyle. The SoHo store has begun hosting talks and workshops focused on conscious and healthy living. They hope to create a community based around support and empowerment, while raising awareness about ethical and environmental issues. I had the wonderful opportunity to play dress up in some of the key pieces from the collective and I can say first hand that they are simply gorgeous. While the other brands from the collective are only available in store (address below), Maiyets own collection will be available for purchase online soon. Each piece tells a story of change, a mission to create while giving back and treading lightly. It is inspiring to see a luxury label operating in this way, I can not wait to see how the collective grows.

Shop the collective at Maiyet 16 Crosby St, SoHo, NYC 10013 or call (212)343-9999. Visit their site at www.maiyet.com and follow along for info on new additions, workshops and more @maiyet.

Row 1 Cashmere Knit Trench in Amber, Arc Tank and Crop Pant by Maiyet, Safi Tassel Earrings by Lois London + Valentina hat by Yosuzi

Row 2 Cashmere Knit Trench in Amber, Arc Tank and Crop Pant by Maiyet, Short Tote in Dusty Rose by Catzorange + Trench by Maiyet

Row 3 Trench by Maiyet, Safi Tassel Earring by Lois London, Classic Button Down and Draped Short in Batik by Maiyet, Como Large Satchel in Navy by Maiyet + Traveler Backpack in Black by Raven + Lily

Row 4 Classic Button Down in Batik, Crop Pant and Como Large Satchel in Black by Maiyet, Safi Tassel Earrings by Lois London, Cashmere Long Cardigan by Maiyet, Liquid Silk Slip in Ivory by Voz +Yami Backpack in Brown by Raven + Lily

Row 5 Cashmere Long Cardigan by Maiyet, Liquid Silk Slip in Ivory by Voz, Flower of Life Necklace by Article 22, Fiza Shibori Caftan by Raven + Lily + Safi Tassel Earrings by Lois London

*Shoes are my own and not a part of the collective

Sundara Holistic

Chandra Fox — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 18:24:00 +0000

Every year when the seasons shift from summers heat to falls chill, my body starts feeling so dried out. Not just my skin but my whole body, like it has been zapped of all its moisture. Kiera Kent of Sundara Holistic laid it out for me in a way that made perfect sense. She is a New York based Ayurvedic practitioner with her own beauty line (the above mentioned). As a kid My parents took me to an Ayurvedic doctor for digestive issues, he said my Dosha or mind body type was Vata. Kiera informed me that fall through early winter is Vata season and that “feeling dried out and dehydrated right now is absolutely connected to the onset of Vata season. During this time of year (through approximately mid-February) we want to focus on qualities of moisture, warmth, heaviness and grounding - in both diet and skincare. Increase intake of fluids (broths, teas, warm water), healthy fats, and spices. You'll naturally want to decrease raw foods and other cold foods too.” I have been following her advice, plus using the Sundara Holistic Vata Face Serum and Body Oil. As well as her Brahmi Hair Oil and I have noticed a huge difference!

I asked Kiera to tell me a bit more about how the oils work and why they benefit Vata.

“ The Vata Face Serum and Vata Body Oil are the most grounding, warming, nourishing oils of the whole collection. Since “like increases like,” you always want to counteract a dosha with opposite qualities. Vata skin naturally has the least amount of moisture in it, and is the most prone to dryness, and early aging. This is why Vata-dominant types need more hydration in food and in skincare. Their skin would just drink up the Vata Face Serum, while that serum may be too heavy for another skin type (a skin type that naturally has more moisture in it). For example, Kapha skin is the opposite of Vata skin – it is dominated by earth and water, has the most moisture naturally in the skin, and only needs a very light oil on the face. Vata represents the elements of air and space, and is characterized by dryness, irregularity, motion, and restlessness. The key qualities to pacify Vata are warm, heavy, moistening, nourishing, and grounding. So, every ingredient (both the base oils and the essential oils) in the vata-balancing products was chosen for its warming, grounding, nourishing properties.”

Sundara Holistic includes a full line of skincare for each specific dosha as well as combination products that benefit all three. Check out her site to learn more about Ayurveda and shop her goods. You can also arrange an in person consultation if you are in Manhattan or a Skype consultation for those located elsewhere.

Shop the full collection at www.sundaraholistic.com and follow along @sundaraholisticbeauty.

HfS Collective

Chandra Fox — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 20:41:01 +0000

HfS or Hipsters For Sisters was founded by mother and daughter, Debra and Rachel Denniston; with the goal of liberating women from their excess baggage, while providing a sustainable option for their essentials. Debra (mother) came up with the idea for petite, hands free bags after years of dealing with the shoulder pain associated with heavy totes. She figured that if men could make it through their day with only the items they could fit in their pockets, women could too. Fanny packs provided just the right amount of storage for the essentials, unfortunately they were lacking in style. Debra decided to create a design of her own, not only did her daughters approve, but they wanted to join her in creating a company.

HfS designs and manufactures all of their bags in Los Angeles. While their focus is hands free they also create several convertible styles that can be worn at the hip or crossbody; as well as a commuter tote (perfect for your laptop or as an overnight bag). Their materials are one of my favorite aspects of the line, a combination of earth and animal friendly fabrics. Like the Pinatex Collection, the fabric is a vegan leather alternative made from pineapple leaves. The leaves are a by-product of the pineapple industry, a resource that might otherwise go to waste. Additionally, because they are a by-product they don't require extra land, water or other resources to grow. The Pocket Belt Bag featured in this article is part of the Pinatex Collection, the piece also includes an Eco-suede made from recycled plastic bottles. Check out their Materials page for a full list of fabrics used by HfS; they include recycled, deadstock, upcycled and other Eco-friendly options like hemp, organic cotton and cork.

HfS is one of those brands that ticks all the boxes, animal and planet friendly; local, ethical production and a commitment to giving back. 2% of the purchase price of every bag sold is donated to organizations that work to empower women and help preserve our planet. Check out their Community page to learn more about the organizations they support. Below are some shots of how I have been styling The Pocket Belt Bag In Pinatex.

Shop the full collection www.hfscollective.com and follow along @thehfscollective.

Look 1 Pocket Belt Bag in Piñatex by HfS Collective, The Nico in Camel Linen by Sugar Candy Mountain, Orbit Studs in Red Jasper by I Like It Here Club. Look 2 Pocket Belt Bag in Piñatex by HfS Collective, Steven Alan dress purchased second hand alternative option here, Shu Studs in Malachite by I Like It Here Club, Alternative footwear option here. Look 3 Pocket Belt Bag in Piñatex by HfS Collective, Vintage top from Barnaby Jack, 70's Rigid Flare by Doen, Mary Jane Slipper by Doen.