The Footprint of a Bra

Ever wondered what it would be? The Knitting Industry News Blog has an answer for you. Apparently, Marks and Spencer has come out with a carbon neutral bra. I like that companies are adopting environmentally and socially ethical practices in the production of their wares. It's good business. What I wonder about are the convoluted, marketing-driven formulas that beg and borrow credits to make their products and manufacturing processes appear environmentally benign.

If I were to reverse-spin the carbon credit logic and take out the green-wash, it might look as if some companies are granting themselves permission to pollute and then making it a selling point. Are you buying it?

Embellishment

Really, this post is more of a meandering treasure hunt. I'll post a video or two and a few links and you can take it from there -just follow the bread crumbs if you're hoping to learn more. 

First, I will channel the most famous, French Master of Embroidery, Jean Francois Lesage, via Youtube :

Next, to the Jean Francois Lesage website for a lesson on the History of Embroidery. See also the Lesage Embroidery School where one may enroll in full or part-time Embroidery programs.

What. Can't get to Paris? How about a DIY tambour beading video or a couple of internet pages with hand stitching diagrams:

-Victorian Embroidery and Crafts
-reference chart for hand stitching


Finally, for those in need of a refreshingly different take on embellishment, Alabama Chanin will not disappoint. This link will take you to a video about the designer and company (scroll half way down the page).

Good hunting.

How Much Polyester Would a Pop Bottle Make?

According to the video below on "Recycling Plastic Water Bottles", it takes 19 bottles to make enough polyester for an extra-large t-shirt and the same to make 1 square foot of carpet, 63 bottles to make enough for a sweater and 114 bottles to make enough fiber fill for a single sleeping bag.

I've often wondered what the reclaiming process for bottles is like and how difficult it is to make usable fabric from the remains. The following video is informative -if you have ever been curious about the process check this out:

Aha!

I look forward to reading this someday: Making Sustainable Fashion:Changing the Way We Make and Use Clothes, edited by Allison Gwilt and Timo Rissanen.

Making Things Interesting

There are so many companies making jeans. I like discovering those who inhabit interesting workspaces, use clever machinery and have a well-considered process. Enter Roy and Tender Co.  I'll let the video below speak to the amazingness of Roy's set-up and Tender Co.'s website is worth clicking around to learn more about how they add local value to their product.

(Mind your ears, delicate flowers, this is real life.)

There's another video on Roy's website that shows off the vintage machinery a little better but I can't seem to upload it so just click *here* to see it instead.

Internships

How about an internship?  Here's one at Zac Posen. I'm not in New York but I like reading through the job descriptions and daydreaming. Ahh, for a bigger city and for that city in particular...

Inspiration

If you have 15 minutes, watch this video. It tells the story of Imogene + Willie: how a couple of 'grandkids' grew a denim company in Nashville. They have an amazing workshop and store and produce in-house with 11 employees.  All that awesome and their jeans look fantastic -they custom tailor their finished jeans to fit each customer.


(Thanks for the link, Sarah and Ben. You send such great inspiration!)