did you ever know that you’re my hero?
Bit of nostalgia there, eh? I’m dating myself to an 80’s childhood with that title and THAT’S OK! I’m not young, nor hip (in a mainstream way at least) and I’m not here to pretend to be anything other than who I am. That’s partly what I’ve been wrestling with over these many delayed months (maybe years?) of launching this website. So here we are, 5 months past my desired deadline with a much clearer purpose. It’s happening!
WHY?
I miss you. I miss my work… my life’s passion… my “why” for those of you familiar with Simon Sinek. I’m going to try my absolute best to create the magic here, virtually, that used to happen in my crazy creative little studio and shop in San Francisco.
I am here to serve as a catalyst for discovery, celebration and expression of your own most empowered best self.
Individual Self-Expression
There have been times over the years in which I question the integrity of making clothing. Glamour is a problem, and a growing one in our visual society. After becoming a mom, getting older & moving to the burbs, I definitely feel this pressure on a personal level. It sucks. I do not want to participate in the falsehoods of “glamour” whatsoever. But ignoring problems only gives them sneaky little ways of rearing their ugly heads while your back is turned.
The reality is, it feels good to feel like you fit in somewhere…to feel like you belong. How we present ourselves visually to the world affects our sense of belonging both for ourselves and how others receive us. The discord occurs when you’re trying to belong to a facade of someone you think you’re supposed to be vs who you are deep down in your gut. Finding clothing, your skin, that helps bring forth your own inner superhero and makes you feel fantastically YOU is key not only to get in touch with yourself but to show that in full force to the rest of the world. You are an inspiration!
Dancer Esther Wrobel with Flyaway Productions
Photo by Austin Forbord
realistic body image
Back when I saw clients regularly in my old studio, many told me that they love clothes but hate to shop. I relate. Typically we are unable to find things we like or things that fit and the experience all in all is a disappointing chore.
I believe that clothes should fit a person, not the other way around. Why contort our bodies to fit a false image of what someone else thinks we should look like? We are built by nature in all different shapes and sizes and that’s what makes us interesting. Certainly we’ve all got parts of our bodies that we want to show, or not show, or show in ways that we’re comfortable with both emotionally and physically. I love making that happen for people. There’s a moment of empowerment in announcing “This is who I am and this is what I want!”
So tell me about your needs and ideas. Teach me. Because it’s not YOU who doesn’t fit… it’s the retail fast fashion outfit that doesn’t fit your fabulous self.
SUSTAINABILITY
Unless you’re living under a rock, you’re well aware of our overflowing landfills polluting the earth, water and our precious ocean ecosystem. For me there’s an additional philosophical impact.
diminishing waste
I have an obsessive need to diminish waste in all areas of my life… not just in my clothes-making practice. It’s been a consistent thread, whether re-using packaging or making new artworks with found objects. Tossing things into the trash is hard for me. If something isn’t perfect, does that mean it’s useless? Could that mean that it has experience, a story, and can evolve into something even more beautiful. As in humans, flaws can be a source of inspiration rather than a stain, literally, that deems the item unworthy.
SLOW FASHION
Do you know where your clothes come from? Who makes them? Someone’s hands were involved in the construction of that textile, the cutting of the cloth, the stitching of the sleeve and the packaging of the final product. Who is that person? Are they getting paid a living wage? What kind of mill made that textile? Does the company care about its impact on the earth? Do they take care of their people? Are you paying for people’s craft, or for the marketing and advertising of it? Is there balance?
Just like slow food, it’s important that we make conscious choices about what we put in and on our bodies.
Way back in 2009, I was featured in an article about Slow Fashion before I even realized that’s what I was doing. For me, it was a struggle of there being no ecologically ideal textile to work with … while there was a plethora of offcut, deadstock and discarded garments in the world. I figure that anything I am keeping out of the landfill is better than the production of new textile. It also makes creating fresh for me, with novel challenges in every piece.
supporting local community
If you know me, you’ve heard my schpiel on buying local. I ran both of my stores with strict “made local” policies with very rare exceptions. I made a point to have a personal connection with the businesses that I purchased supplies from, and was happy to spend more money to support local community. We need to take care of each other, even if it cuts into our profits as a business. Value comes in many more forms than simple cash money.
It is this core value that has sprung the concept of Patron it Forward. This is my version of a “VIP club,” a term I’ve never been a fan of. I want to show my gratitude to devoted friends/clients, but it’s more than getting first dibs on new items (for those of you who used to show up early to my shows :). It’s about a sense of community… a sense of mutual friendship and support. Patron it Forward is our way of helping members of our community. Read more to participate!
