Blog Archives - fairdare

organic cotton activewear

1/30/2021

I'm always on the lookout for yoga-worthy, non-polyester workout wear...and this new offering is an exciting possibility! Mate is committed to organic cotton + made in Los Angeles manufacturing. Now they've added activewear in an extended range of sizes to their collection of covetable basics. These leggings, shorts + bras are made with 92% organic cotton + 8% spandex. Add a 100% organic cotton tank or tee + leave plastic microfibers in the past.

All lovely photos by Mate the label.

enfleshing

1/29/2021

What is it that grasps + impels these men + women
to push beyond conventional boundaries
+ so delight us, ultimately, with new creative spaces?
Wisdom is at work,
ever delighting in birthing new possibilities
+ inviting open hearts to rise up
+ respond to visions + dreams
by enfleshing them.
~Edwina Gateley (via)

fair brand :: merna maita

1/26/2021

"Merna Maita, a lounge-anywhere clothing line by Tessa Braun, is named after Tessa's grandmother who entertains with brisket, always in a caftan." The picture that creates in my mind is right in line with the pictures above that present clothing as a perfect compliment to the vibrant, creative, storied lives people are living moment by moment. These small-batch beauties are made from deadstock fabrics in Los Angeles.

All lovely photos + quote via Merna Maita. This + many other fair brands can be found on our ethical brands page when useful.

weekend reads + such

1/24/2021

Latest library finds:
Beyond the Visible: Hilma AF Klint sheds a well-deserved spotlight on a shockingly long- ignored innovator of art
The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce proved gentle accompaniment to a quiet, winter weekend
The Power of Ritual by Casper Ter Kuile has me write pages + pages of notes
My Creative Space by Donald M. Rattner on the psychology of work spaces

These shapes.
Things are not meant to be thrown away.
Better for the planet + the budget.
Just to live + enjoy simply...life.

Love,
Jane

better

1/21/2021

seventh generation

nick olsen + lilah horwitz

"We'll have to see recycled as better than new."
~Brad Weiners (via)

Just a few ways I'm seeing "recycled" as beautiful + better than new:

appreciating the lovely layering of patches that evolves with time
making a useful pad of paper from one sided papers + a binder clip
building gorgeous things with secondhand materials
searching for lovely old furniture with worn surfaces
making new candles out of the remains of spent ones
squeezing a cute new top out of his loved-to-bits shirt
finding recycled options for necessities
mending it again + again

A couple of further thoughts:

Reusing materials in their original form is preferable to what most of us think of as recycling...which involves breaking materials down, washing them + reconstituting them into new materials. That process is preferable to extracting new materials, but does take a lot of energy + water.
For many of us, our proclivity for novelty is a barrier to fully using our things up.
Let's be intentional about thinking through ways we can change our preferences toward reuse. :)

Labelled photos via links. Unlinked photos, mine.

Love,
Jane

blooms

1/20/2021

The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light
If only we are brave enough to see it
If only we are brave enough to be it.
~Amanda Gorman, from The Hill We Climb

separates or jumpsuits

1/19/2021

These lovely pieces from Rachel Pally have me considering two approaches to a pared down wardrobe:

One piece dressing :: A dress or a jumpsuit offers a complete outfit with just one piece. These pieces make it super simple to get dressed each day. Looks can go from casual to dressy with a change of footwear. A small collection of dresses +/or jumpsuits along with a few versatile layers + a few well-chosen footwear options could be a complete wardrobe.
Coordinating separates :: A few well-chosen separates can be mixed + matched for a variety of options. The choice of tennies, sandals, boots or flats adds even more variety.

A combination of separates + one-piece options works too, but I do like considering boundaries + formulas from time to time. I love that there are so many lovely ways to have enough...with less. :)

All lovely photos featuring pieces designed + made from rayon/linen in Los Angeles, California via Rachel Pally.

Love,
Jane

fair brand :: object apparel

1/18/2021

Object Apparel offers clothing + intimates made with ethically sourced, organic fibers + natural dyes. These beautiful pieces come in a variety of sizes, and their packaging is plastic free. Mike + Mollie design + make all the pieces in Detroit, Michigan. Loving these natural hues + versatile shapes.

All lovely images via Object Apparel. Object Apparel can be found on our ethical brands page when you need it.

complexity

1/16/2021

Questions for Marfa by Karl Haendel :: photo via

Is one big idea enough?
Is variation really pleasurable?
Is this too much? Is this enough?
Are dreams a limitation?
I anger useful?
Does thinking about happiness prevent it?
Is repetition OK?
Does novelty matter?
Is growth desirable?
Is calm an illusion?
Does fear drive us?
Is there always more?
Is choice possible?
Are feelings independent of place?
Does getting drunk help?
Is experience repeatable?
Do thoughts follow actions?
Is change necessary?
Are expectations a problem?
Can purity be created?
Are we born innocent?
Is this progress?
Is austerity an illusion?
Can complexity be simple?

fair/make :: bags

1/14/2021

industry of all nations x mafia bags

all well workshop

A few fair options for sweet bags that could come in handy for that weekly grocery store expedition or maybe just on a walk. The ready-made bag on the left is a collaboration between Industry of All Nations + Mafia Bags. It is made in California from upcycled boating sails + salvaged climbing rope.

The bag on the right was made from a vintage quilt with All Well Workshop's Full Moon Bag pattern. Amy generously offers this pattern free with her newsletter sign-up.

museo studio via vestige

Whether worn across the body, around the waist or slung over the shoulder these bags are like the pocket every outfit needs. Museo Studio makes a generously sized beauty out of vintage quilt pieces. Sara Kirsten's sewing pattern would look as fantastic made out of leftover scraps or found textiles as it does made from sturdy canvas. This kit from Little House Seamstress is another great option.

I always appreciate that there are so many ways to choose fair! Supporting thoughtful makers is a wonderful pleasure. Making our own simultaneously offers clarifying insight into what it takes to create useful things + affirming satisfaction. It's great to support independent pattern makers as well. :)

Vive les créateurs!

fair/make :: dresses
fair/make :: jumpsuits

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane