Based out of Los Angeles + Paris, Human Assembly offers clothing alongside vintage rugs + textiles. The curation favors timeless pieces made from natural fibers, many of which originate in Japan + France.

The shapes favored allow me to see the beauty + function already in my own wardrobe. The styling prompts appreciation for the adventures I have while wearing a piece for a long time. These long-worn pieces become imbued with story + this only enhances my relationship to them. It adds to their value + my desire to keep wearing them. This is the essence of zero-waste, so thank you Human Assembly for the beauty + inspiration. I'd totally wear those stripes for a long, long time.
 
All lovely photos via Human Assembly.

Who doesn't love soft, comfy clothing that allows for all the movement of a gym workout + feels appropriate for all day wear? Sokoi offers interesting shapes that are comfortable + functional...without being made from plastic! I'm into the hemp/linen pants that I could get onto my mat wearing + then move through my day without changing. Yes!

Sokoi's founder started her brand out of a love for yoga, but not for tight, yoga clothing. Sokoi is made from natural fibers, designed + made in California in small batches (to avoid waste), and shipped with plastic-free packaging.

All lovely photos via Sokoi. Thank you Omoriala for this one! It's so good!

Dana Lee Brown is a collection of clothing made with a mindful approach to the origins and formation of garments. In an industry that has us celebrating the mere mention of the country where a garment was sewn, it is rare to come across a brand mentioning soil as a recognized part of a garment's origins. 

Designer, Dana Lee Brown, views her garments as collaborations with farms + mills. Each piece carries a label hand-chronicling a journey that begins with soil. The brand's shop on Bowen Island, British Columbia (as well as the website) offers more detail on farms, fibers and the process behind each piece.

Organic cotton is grown on three carefully chosen farms in California, New Mexico and Texas. Wool comes from sheep raised with regenerative practices on two farms in Ontario + California. Regeneratively grown indigo + foraged plants such as walnut hulls are used as natural dyes.

It's brands like these that expose what a garment can be. Each one of these pieces really does feel like a valuable education, an enlightened journey, a storied treasure. Spending time absorbing all of this naturally brings forward the question, "How many things do I need when each one is this precious?"

All lovely photos via Dana Lee Brown.

Love,
Jane

Years ago, intimates came late in the process of moving our wardrobes toward good for our bodies, makers, farmers + the planet. It really was hard to find intimates that weren't made overseas of polyester + lycra.

These days, the layers closest to our bodies can be a good entry point to thinking about building an ethical wardrobe. We just have more options! Yay!

Lake Jane is one of those brands making this entry point both enticing + easy. Their pieces are designed + sewn in North Carolina from USA-grown cotton that is spun + dyed in California. The colors are lovely, and they are built to last.

I feel like the lighter weight of the fabric is one of the selling points of this brand, when compared with other ethical options out there. The drawback is that there are other options made with organic cotton. Just food for thought.  :)

All lovely photos via Lake Jane. Find this + other ethical brands when you need them on our ethical brands page.

I guess we've always known that brands are not forever...especially these small, fair clothing brands (+ one ceramics brand). The word sustainable is often used to describe them, but it probably feels like a misleading descriptor to their owners. The work they do does not sustain itself. Almost every business involves a lot of hard work (done by someone along the supply chain), but these involve even more intention, drive + grit. These brands are trail blazers + examples of what once felt impossible.

I've written these posts before, but it somehow feels a bit heavier this time around. It is not especially easy to finding clothing brands employing organic, natural fibers + fairly paid makers to add to our ethical brands list. This makes it especially sad to remove these stellar brands from the list.

Thank you SO much:

• ARQ
• Beaton Linen (can't wait to sew with your sewing patterns!)
• Ilana Kohn
• Humble ceramics (have so much fun with your new book collection!)
• Sugar Candy Mountain 
• Mara Hoffman 
• Vege Threads
• The Tiny Closet
• Selva Negra
• Ana + Zac

Thank you for sharing your creativity with us! You have moved the industry forward + we are so grateful!

All lovely images via links.

Love,
Jane

Indigo is one of my forever themes. I honestly didn't set out with that thread in mind. It just came together that way. It must be because I'm waiting for the sun to come out so I can do some sun prints in the garden.  :)

If I was going to get literary :: I would relish the connections in this combined tome
If I was throwing a birthday party :: I'd use these handmade, beeswax, blackberry candles
If I could pull it off :: I'd wear these upcycled jeans to an outdoor concert
If I was going to pile my couch with indigo pillows :: this organic cotton, handmade lovely would be a dream addition
If I was going to add one piece to my ceramic collection :: it might be this little, sculptural beauty

All photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Inspired by their life + work in the elements of the Pacific Northwest, Ana + Lissa make clothing that is meant to be worn. Ship Supply's sturdy, useful + beautiful pieces are made in their own shop on Lopez Island, Washington. Each piece is made from organic fibers grown, milled + sewn in the USA. 

I love the way these pieces are styled layering a canvas topper over a soft tee + cozy wool pullover sweater. It's always beautiful to see a collection in which a very specific vision comes through. I can't wait to see what Lissa + Ana do next!

All lovely photos via Ship Supply.

We were on vacation last week + when I walked into my favorite Michigan shop, deep indigo bandana fabric caught my attention (top left). Peitsie Campbell has been designing clothing for years, but I'd never had the opportunity to see or touch her clothing in person. It was instant love. Peitsie is designed + made in Los Angeles from natural fibers. These easy shapes are designed to become "a laid-back daily uniform that will become beloved staples in your wardrobe." Yes, please.

This and many other ethical brands are listed on our ethical brands page to refer to when you need something! Top left photo, mine. Other lovely photos via Pietsie.

Herself Clothing offers timeless, everyday pieces in easy shapes. These beauties are made up in thoughtfully sourced fabrics like linens from Belgium, denim from Japan or the USA, and deadstock fabrics leftover from other brands. 

Heather Stilin designs Herself Clothing in Portland, Maine alongside a local patternmaker + home sewer. Garments are sewn in small factories both locally and in San Antonio, Texas where fair wages are prioritized. Simply beautiful in every way!