entrepreneurship – the {r}evolution apparel blog

An Update from K & S

(We figured it was time for an update! Sending thanks and love to everyone who messaged, e-mailed, and called to give support over the last months. We’re two lucky girls. Here’s what we’re up to next!)

KRISTIN

Since December, a million scenarios have played in my head about “what’s next.”

I’ve been up and down, excited and heartbroken. Full of promise, yet out of touch with desire.

From of a series of events (a meeting, a meltdown, an inspiration), that desire finally hit, and I’ve begun cooking up a new recipe for creating opportunity in this industry.

So.

This spring, I’ll be launching Seamly.co — an online storefront of fabulousness, featuring limited edition clothing made with “deadstock” fabric. The sewing will happen here, at a super-cool-but-still-secret spot in Colorado, by some talented young designers and sewers.

There will be an early launch for friends this spring to preview styles. You can sign up here for first dibs, and watch the process unfold on Instagram at @seamlyco.

Many thanks to you all, as always. I am fortunate beyond belief.

SHANNON

In the past month, I’ve been working on a few pro-bono projects with other sustainable apparel companies. In that time, I’ve noticed an energy that I haven’t felt in a while.

After lots of journaling, a few therapeutic conversations, and some added inspiration, I decided to take the knowledge I’ve accumulated through {r} and apply it in a way that helps others.

Last Thursday, I launched shannonwhitehead.com, sustainable fashion consulting for apparel companies and designers. Through branding, storytelling and creative social media, I’m excited to help ethical businesses connect with consumers in innovative ways.

Since last week’s launch, I’ve been blown away by the reception from industry-insiders, as well as family and friends — and I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep moving sustainable fashion forward.

I hope to stay connected with as many {r} readers as I can, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can find me on my blog, Twitter and Instagram or at my new email address, shann.whitehead@gmail.com.

Awesome things are unfolding, and we’re so appreciative of your support. {r}

Closing a Chapter: Life Beyond {r}evolution apparel

Two months ago, we were planning and projecting the future of our company into 2017. We had put together a board of advisors, raised funding for another production run, researched new fabric options and lined up a revised manufacturing system with a sew shop in Portland.

We fully intended to do a second run of the Versalette — with a new and improved design we created in September.

But in November, we each had a chance to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective. We had been in so deep, plugging away, racing on to the next thing that we hadn’t taken the time to look up and ask ourselves what we really wanted.

We’ve dedicated two and a half years to creating a brand and a product that exceeded our (wildest) expectations. We’ve learned more than we ever thought possible. We’ve met incredible people and made invaluable connections. We’ve discovered a passion for something we didn’t know we had.

But with all of this growth, we’ve recently realized that {r}evolution apparel is no longer something we want, or feel we need, to pursue what we were meant to do.

We want to impact the sustainable fashion industry, but feel a pull to explore other avenues to create the change we want to see. This venture was never about making money or making sales; it was always about creating freedom, passion and purpose. And somewhere along the way, we lost our hold on that.

Now that we have a firmer grasp on what our lives’ work could be, we’re excited to move forward and make an impact in other ways. We plan to pursue separate paths, while continuing to support each other in the best way we know how.

We’re thrilled that the world got to see the Versalette — and that 1,400 people were able to reduce their wardrobes because of it. Bringing a physical product to the market was the most difficult thing either of us has ever tackled. It was worth the learning experience, tenfold, and we’re excited to move forward with that knowledge.

For the remainder of the month, we’ll be tying up loose ends, selling and shipping our remaining inventory of Versalettes, and exploring future opportunities. Neither of us has a set plan of what we’ll pursue moving forward, and we’re excited about exploring new possibilities. We encourage you to get in touch if there’s an opportunity you think would resonate with either of us.

We’re also aware that the brand and product has a bit of equity behind it — we’re open to interested buyers who would like to acquire the brand or design. Please email us at hello@revolutionapparel.is to speak with us further.

While this is all pretty sudden (for both us and you!), we’re feeling good about taking a new direction. You’ll still be able to find us hanging out online for the rest of the year, keeping the store open and checking in every once in awhile.

To everyone who supported us and encouraged our progress with each step, we are eternally grateful to you. We don’t have the words to express how much it has meant to us, and we know that those several hundred initial supporters are the reason we made it so far.

{r}evolution apparel and this community have changed our lives completely, and we couldn’t be more appreciative. So until next time, quite simply — thank you. {r}

Our Final Shipping Update

It’s been almost a year since our Kickstarter campaign. For those of you who have stuck with us, you know how long the process has been with lots of highs and lows.

This month will be one of our highest highs because, drumroll please… We will officially complete the shipping of all existing Versalette orders!

For everyone who is still waiting for their charcoal Versalette, here are the dates we’re looking at:

OCT 12 – Shipping to all remaining Kickstarter backers.

OCT 19 – Shipping to everyone who ordered between January 2012 – April 2012.

OCT 26 – Sending out payment re-authorizations via e-mail to everyone who reserved a charcoal Versalette during and after May 2012. We’ll be shipping on a first-paid, first-served basis over the course of two weeks. All reservations should be shipped by November 2.

For those of you still waiting to order a Versalette, we’ll put charcoal (and a limited number of sage) on sale in November – once all existing orders are fulfilled. Those will be available for immediate shipping (with plenty of time before the holidays).

Kristin is looking forward to getting her bedroom back, which is currently covered in mailers, packing tape, handtags and Versalettes.

We can’t wait to hear everyone’s feedback, and don’t forget to share your favorite looks with us on our Tumblr page! Signing off with (hopefully) the last time we’ll thank you for your unbelievable patience : ) {r}

What do you Want?

Lately, we’ve been pushing each other to be more open in our lives. To be more in touch with what we’re really feeling, encouraging each other to express it, get feedback, and be better.

Honesty is hard. It’s hard to put out there, and it’s hard to accept. Not a lot of people in this world will be real with you.

The great thing about honesty is that regardless of how much it hurts, it serves the highest purpose. It’s real. It’s the only way we can get a sense of who we are, what we’re doing, and how it affects other people. Honesty allows for growth.

As a business, we want to grow — not necessarily in numbers (although we want that, too!) but in the value we give.

We’re aiming to begin production again in January and February, and we’re getting all of the pieces together right now.

So as we improve our product, we want your (honest) feedback, so we can be better. While a majority of charcoal Versalettes haven’t shipped yet, all of the other colors have — we hope that will give us a baseline for feedback!

We’ll be able to choose 3 – 5 colors this time around, order custom packaging, and make adjustments to the design.

What would you like to see in our next production run?

We appreciate your honesty. It’s the only way we can grow, improve, and ultimately give you better apparel that you’ll love. Our comment section is open or you can email us at hello@revolutionapparel.is.

The Versalette: On Sale at Noon EST!

For those of you who missed Monday’s post, the Versalette will be back on sale at 12pm EST for immediate shipping! To check them out, go here.

We’re only offering the colors that have been completely shipped out to Kickstarter backers, pre-sale customers and reservation holders. So new orders are only available for cherry and indigo.

The sew shop will send us the last batches of charcoal in October and November, and as soon as those are shipped to existing customers, we’ll put the remainder up for sale.

The Versalettes we’re offering now are limited quantities of cherry and indigo, so if you or your friends are looking to purchase one, this is your chance to do it! We’ll put an even smaller number of sage on sale next week.

Let your friends know that we’re officially on sale by sharing the image above on Facebook. We’re looking forward to seeing more photos of how you’re rocking it on our Tumblr page, and we’re excited to ship more Versalettes across the continent! {r}

(And if you’re curious about how our shipping process goes down — well, it’s pretty down-home. Kristin’s bedroom is full of Versalettes right now, and the people at the Boulder post office know us by name…)

Going Big, or Going Home

As Kristin mentioned last week, we have a lot going through our heads lately. There are many days when we both get lost in discussion about the future of {r} and what it looks like. We know there’s a bigger impact to be made, and we’re exploring the best way to move forward towards making it.

While there are many different avenues we’re curious about, we’re most excited to do a second production-run of the Versalette.

As we continue to ship out orders throughout the months of October and November, we’re planning to keep up momentum with another round of production in early 2013. We’ll have more details on manufacturing, design and sourcing for phase two in the coming months.

In the meantime, we’re working hard to set-up the business for continued success. Three big things are happening:

Board of Advisors. We’re excited to announce an official Advisory Board soon! We’ve reached out to professionals across all industries, whose opinions we respect and trust, and we’re looking forward to having their guidance in the next stage of {r}evolution apparel.

Investors. We were fortunate to be able to test the market with Kickstarter. Moving forward, we’re preparing to take more risk by scaling our business. We’re currently working on a pitch deck to send to angel investors in the next month. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in funding a sustainable fashion startup with proven traction and a lot of important lessons already learned, we’d love to hear from you.

Packaging. We’re working on unique packaging ideas for our next round of Versalettes. We’re researching materials and manufacturing within the USA, and have come up with some creative ideas for the Versalettes’ debut in stores. We’ll be reaching out to interested retailers in the next couple of months, but be sure to send us a note if you’re a buyer who would like the Versalette in your store.

We’re excited. We’re scared. We ~~sometimes~~ often wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into. But now, more than ever, we’re saying to ourselves, “Go big or go home.” And we’ll be the first to tell you, the view from the edge is pretty. freakin.’ awesome. {r}

Why We Do What We Do

Why?

We get asked this a lot.

How did you come up with the idea? Why did you decide to start a business in this way?

The answer usually varies — depending on who asks the question. So, this is our attempt to explain it in the best way we know how.

It’s one, single message. And it has driven us this far. The idea that everything we do has an impact. {r}

We’ve added this video to the “Why We Do What We Do” page on our site and you’ll notice some other changes on the “Tour” page, “Join the Revolution,” and “Stuff We Love” pages. We’re also now selling women’s {r} t-shirts here!

The Passionista Project: Jill Spiritus

This is the third piece in The Passionista Project series. You can read the first two here and here.

Animal-lovers, this is the girl for you. Meet Jill Spiritus, a co-founder of Compassion Couture, an online shop that carries only cruelty-free and eco-friendly accessories. Most of us don’t realize the harm forced upon animals to produce the clothing we buy. Jill has set out to change that — and to prove that awareness and fashion can go hand-in-hand. {r}

—–

I have a strong sense of style and a strong set of values. My belief is that everyone was put on this earth to make a difference, and that our own actions determine our own fate. I think it is our job to protect the rights of those who don’t have a voice – in particular, animals.

For ethical reasons, two years ago I gave up eating and wearing animal products and believe it or not, it was more difficult to find cruelty-free fashions that were up to my standards than it was to find “cruelty-free” foods.

I figured other women were having the same problem and that’s when I took the plunge to create Compassion Couture, an online retail site that carries only 100% cruelty-free and eco-friendly handbags, shoes, and accessories that are also fashionable and high-quality.

Through the creation of my e-boutique, I aim to make a difference in how the world views compassionate and ethical fashion. First, I aim to prove it is out there! Second, I aim to prove it’s just as fashionable as what anyone can find at a mainstream retail store!

Most people aren’t aware that creating the typical leather handbag or shoe requires the factory farming of animals. And, from start to finish, the amount of energy required to create a leather hide is 20 times greater than the production of a synthetic material. The ethical fashion movement is a growing revolution, and my ultimate goal is continue spreading this revolution through my business.

I aim to educate consumers on the detrimental effects of leather accessories to living things and the environment, and to encourage all types of people to make a conscious effort in switching to ethical options!

Find Compassion Couture on Twitter and Facebook!

An Update on Versalette Shipping!

Aaaaand we’re back!

After a week-long, post-tour hiatus, we are refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to roll into the next chapter of {r}evolution apparel.

With that said, we’re well aware of what’s on everyone’s mind:

WHEN AM I GOING TO GET MY VERSALETTE?!

We are continuing to send out small shipments (about 60-70 people) every week. With almost 1,400 orders placed, that’s a lot of small shipments.

Kickstarter backers are receiving their Versalettes first, then winter pre-sales customers, and then spring reservation-holders.

We have the majority of the sage shipped, almost all of the indigo (after this week), a quarter of the charcoal, and none of the cherry (the sew shop will start on those next week!)

Below are estimated dates of when we expect to ship out the remaining colors:

August 30 – September 7: INDIGO
September 14 – 28: CHERRY
October 6 – November 30: CHARCOAL

If you had told us at the end of our Kickstarter campaign that it would take almost a year to fulfill these orders, we wouldn’t have believed you. But as we’ve learned, setbacks, delays, and poor time estimation are part of the territory we entered when we set off to do something that hasn’t been done before.

We’ve been getting some incredible feedback from those customers who have already received their Versalettes, and we look forward to hearing from the rest of you in the coming months.

Signing off with our one-millionth “thank you,”

Shannon & Kristin

{The Interviews} Trailer

This post was originally published on EcoSalon.

Whew. What a journey.

Over eight weeks ago, we set out to learn more about sustainable fashion and what we could do to help push the movement forward.

We met professors, designers, farmers, CEO’s, and people on the streets. We filmed it all. And this is a tiny, small bit of what we learned from these amazing individuals.

This is just the beginning for {r}evolution apparel; as we learn, and share, and converse, we realize that our work is crucial. We are all connected. We all matter. Every decision we make — from which tank top we buy to how we recycle our clothes — makes a difference.

We’re taking time to sort through our footage, process our experience, and ultimately, create a short documentary chronicling our summer’s journey.

Until then, we’ll be saying goodbye to the summer with a short trailer by our filmmaker, Steve Celano — enjoy!

Living Life Off-Line: {r}ecuperating…

Our summer (and sustainable fashion road trip) has come to an end.

It was stressful, rewarding, exhausting, incredible, and above all, a learning experience like no other.

It’ll take time to process — in that whirlwind of work and travel, we didn’t have a whole lot of time to just think.

So we’re taking a couple of weeks to decompress, live life off-line, evaluate our journey, and make plans for the future. You won’t see us on Facebook or Twitter much, but we’ll be sharing a short trailer of our interviews here on the blog next week.

We’ll continue shipping from our new home base in Boulder, Colorado — we’ll send batches of indigo out for the next few weeks, followed by cherry and then back to charcoal, and finally we’ll finish with the last of the sage Versalettes. We’re sending out e-mails before shipping so that everyone knows when to expect theirs!

We’ll be back in September with more clarity and a renewed energy for everything we’re trying to accomplish here at {r}. We have plans for a second production-run of the Versalette and a few smaller projects in mind. For now, though, we’ll do the best we can to take a deep breath, sit back, and be grateful. {r}

{r}evolution reel: The End of the Road (Almost)

This post was originally published on EcoSalon, where we share our journey each Friday.

It’s been an insane summer. We’ve done so much, and we’ve learned so much. Last Wednesday, we finished the tour by lecturing about sustainable fashion at FIDM San Francisco.

Now, we’re headed back to our new “homebase” in Boulder, CO to continue shipping out Versalettes and to prep for the next phase of our business.

So, what’s going to happen to all of the footage and interviews we’ve accumulated over the past two months? We’re not really sure yet. We’ll be working on a long-form documentary and slowly figuring out the most effective way to share everything we’ve learned from some of the best in the industry.

Next week, we’ll debut the trailer for those interviews and you’ll get a taste of just how valuable our conversations along the road have been. From Justin Dillon of Slavery Footprint to sustainable fashion legends Kate Fletcher and Lynda Grose, we’ll share the best of what’s to come.

Until then, we’re sharing one last {r}evolution reel! {r}

{r}evolution reel: A Look Inside the Movement

This post was originally published on EcoSalon, where we share our journey each Friday.

“Why have we become a culture that wants more, faster, cheaper?”

We’ve asked this question to over 20 people in filmed interviews throughout our Sustainable Fashion Tour. Farmers, professors, writers, textile developers, CEO’s, and designers have all weighed-in on issues surrounding fashion, consumption, and the environment.

Each person has added a piece to this complex puzzle of how we got here — a world where you can buy an H&M t-shirt for $4.95 and a pair of sunglasses for a few dollars. With their collective answers, we’re beginning to piece things together.

Our grandparents were thrifty and cautious — they grew up during the Great Depression and among their deep-seeded values was a good bargain. They spent prudently, even after WWII when people began consuming more. A good bargain was a value that they passed onto their kids — our parents.

Our parents grew up with technologies that encouraged buying more clothes — like washing machines. They were the first to have TV’s (and commercials) as youths. The world got smaller with better communication and shipping technologies. The West discovered cheap labor markets. The race to the bottom quickened pace.

As more cheap products became available to us, we became addicted. So addicted, in fact, that we started purchasing things with money we didn’t have.

We became obsessed with material things, filling our homes and closets. But we were detached from those things. Our stuff was just — stuff. There were no stories behind our purchases. The only explanation for a cheap shirt or pair of shoes was, “Made in China” with the accomplished feeling of a “deal.”

We stopped mending clothes, because a new outfit cost less than a sewing machine or repair job. Our garbage bins got bigger to make room for our discard. Wal-Mart became more powerful than our government.

With so many distractions in our lives, it’s been easy to overlook our mindless consumption. Our phones and inboxes vie for our attention, while we work stressful jobs so that we can make more money to buy more stuff. We’re stuck in a cycle, and hardly have the time to notice.

But there is change happening. We can already see it — the “slow food movement” is only the beginning. Our generation is going back to the basics, slowly but surely. We’re taking an interest in growing our own produce, supporting local microbreweries, and buying fashion with a story.

Justin Dillon, the founder of SlaveryFootprint.org, told us that while the developing world experiences a poverty of means, the Western world is experiencing a poverty of meaning. But if we know anything about the “Millenials” (and the “Globals”), it’s that we’re seeking meaning with a vengeance. We crave purpose. We crave stories.

This is where the fashion industry is headed. Yes, fast fashion is a buzzkill. So are stories like America’s Chinese-made outfits in the opening ceremony of the Olympics. But people are paying a little more attention. We see that, first-hand, with every person we talk to.

We have a long road ahead of us, but ultimately, we have no other choice than to change the direction we’re headed. Industries, of all types, will be forced to progress and make change — whether they know it now or not. They will have to reevaluate the way they make, market, and sell their products, because this new generation is going to demand more. Demand better.

The bottom line? Corporations can either move forward and change — or get left behind. {r}

The tour is ending this week, but we have a lot more to share. Check out the video from our event with Sew Love in San Francisco last week!

Coming to the End of the Road (& Moving Forward)

We’ve been on the road for two months. It has been a journey — in so many ways.

We’ve learned a ton and have met some of the most amazing people. We’ve also gained more clarity on the future of our business.

Having said that, we’re ending the tour a week early to take care of what’s most important.

Shipping.

This summer has been a great opportunity for growth — our partnership and business have changed in ways that we haven’t even realized yet. But it’s time to leave the road behind.

We’re getting small shipments of Versalettes every week and sending them out as we receive them. Kristin’s parents have been doing most of our fulfillment while we’ve been on the road, but with address updates, color changes, and more, it’s time for us to take over.

When we planned the tour, we thought that production and shipping would be long behind us. It’s a complicated process (as we learned by shipping from the road last week!) that takes a lot of time and attention.

We’re excited to set up a home-base in Boulder, Colorado and continue shipping out Versalettes, while we take steps towards a second production run.

We’ve also been getting some incredible feedback from the 120 people who have received their Versalettes and are loving the photos that they’ve been sending us. We’ll be shipping out another batch tomorrow (from San Francisco!) — charcoal is still on the line, cherry will be next, then indigo, and then another final batch of charcoal.

In the next two weeks, we’ll conclude the tour with our last {r}evolution reel and a trailer for the interviews we’ve been filming on the road. We’ve got a lot ahead of us and as always, are thrilled to have you all here for the ride. {r}

If you’re in San Francisco, we’re hosting an event tonight at the Candystore Collective (in the Mission) with Sew Love — stop by, have a glass of wine, and see our fashion show at 6pm!

{r}evolution reel: Life in a Van Named Zooey

This post was originally published on EcoSalon, where we share our journey each Friday.

This summer, we’ve talked a lot about sparking conversations. Our goal, when we set off on this Sustainable Fashion Tour, was to get people talking about fashion, consumption, and the environment.

We’ve met with industry insiders, people on the streets, CouchSurfing hosts, organic farmers, professors — you name it. And from each conversation, we’re learning something new about what it will take to spark change and start a movement.

With six weeks under our belts, this is what we’ve learned:

People know all about local, organic food — the ‘slow food’ movement is full speed ahead. But fashion? It’s early in the game. It’ll be awhile until we realize that a t-shirt is no different than a hamburger. You don’t hear people bragging about the 2 dollar quarter-pounder they ordered — eventually, the same will go for a 2 dollar t-shirt.

It’s important to compromise. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and compromising will get you there quicker. We can’t be perfect in the choices we make, but we can be better. And it has to be a collaborative effort of many companies, organizations and people.

We are a materialistic culture, but we are also quite detached from our material things. Our culture promotes ‘buy, buy, buy’ without much thought as to where or how something is made. But that’s changing — we can see it. Stories are becoming more important in the way we shop.

Enthusiasm is great, but action is what matters. To change an industry, we can’t just get excited about a revolution. We have to provide actionable steps for getting there. Conversation is just the first step.

This week’s video is a recap of where we’ve been and who we’ve met. We’ll be sharing more adventures in sustainable fashion next week, so stay tuned! {r}

Production Update: What Happened in North Carolina?

When we booked my flight to Charlotte on Friday we were stressed, unsure, and frustrated.

We couldn’t reason why production was taking so much longer than originally estimated, and why there were so many recurring issues. We wondered if we should start looking for a completely different manufacturer — even this late in the game.

I pulled up to our sew shop early Tuesday morning with a pit in my stomach. It wasn’t the confrontation that I was nervous about, but the feeling of this is it. We’re either going to figure this out — or the whole project is going to go up in flames. (Dramatic? Maybe.)

My anxiety grew as I waited for Ellen, the manager of the sew shop, and looked over the box of “unshippable” Versalettes we had sent back for repairs.

But as the hours went by, and as I spent time with Ellen and her team, the anxiety started to subside. They walked me through the entire line of making one Versalette and it was far more clear why production is taking so long.

This is a slow, down-home, hand-sewn process. And — it’s the South. Things just take a little more time to “cook” in these parts. Sure, we were promised a deadline (a few times, actually) but unforeseen issues have come up as the women get deeper into the sewing.

There are three main things slowing the project down.

1.) The recycled fabric. It’s a difficult material to work with. For one, it curls — making it more challenging to sew a straight seam. Second, it grows, which means it stretches and retracts in different ways when handled. They have to go slow through the sewing machine, and there’s no way to control the way the fabric “behaves.”

2.) The pockets. Because of the growing and curling of the fabric, it’s very difficult to evenly place the pockets. While I was there, we worked on creating a different template for measuring and marking, and they’re now putting the pockets on last — after the seam and hems have been sewn.

3.) The hem. Some of the Versalettes we sent back to the sew shop had messy, jagged edges. Ellen and Carol came up with a different solution to the hem — and although it will add to production cost and take a little more time — it will look a lot cleaner.

We have four people working on our line: Mr. Bobby who cuts the fabric, Beverly who sews the drawstrings into the seams, Dee who sews the hem, and Amy who measures and marks the pockets.

When I said goodbye to everyone yesterday I felt good. I had a new appreciation for the process and a better understanding of the delays.

We could have taken our business overseas and had twice as many Versalettes a long time ago — but that isn’t what this is about. We — and you — are providing jobs to Americans, who can make a living wage and go home to their kids at 4pm. That feeling sunk in even more after this trip.

Our team is working hard. They’re outputting 15 Versalettes a day with the goal of 30 as they get more practice. And they’re being patient with the difficult task we’ve given them.

We’ll try to be patient, too. {r}

The sew shop is sending another batch of sage Versalettes today. Kristin’s parents will ship them out next week, and we’ll be sending an email to the remaining customers of that batch!

{A special thanks to my dad for the moral support, and to Kristin for holding down Portland with the interns.}

From PDX to CLT: Shannon’s Impromptu Visit to the Sew Shop

There are things we haven’t talked about.

Two weeks ago, we wrote about our “unorthodox” shipping methods (my parents basement, some OCD organization, and a thousand labeled biodegradable mailers).

Soon after, we got our first small shipment of sage Versalettes from the sew shop. It was FREAKING EXCITING and my parents sent us photos as they opened the boxes. For the most part, we were thrilled.

But as they started putting Versalettes into envelopes and looking over each one, they noticed a few looked a little too hand-sewn. So we pulled those out and shipped the rest.

We figured that each batch would be a little more consistent. But then the second shipment came in, and last week the third.

On Friday morning, my mom called and said, “I don’t know what’s normal for a sew shop in North Carolina versus a factory in China, but I don’t think these are being inspected properly…” She sent a few pictures. We had a minor panic attack.

For the past six months, we’ve been hounding our sew shop for timelines and pricing; e-mailing, calling, or texting almost every day. We did everything we could to stick to the plan.

But on Friday, we decided it was time to take the next step. We called a few mentors and within hours, booked Shannon a flight to Charlotte.

I drove her to the Portland airport yesterday, and she’s spending all of today in the shop to figure out where the weak spots are and to make sure that we’re getting the quality control, inspection, and service that we (and you) deserve.

We want the best. If even one Versalette isn’t up-to-par, then we aren’t going to send it to you. It’s been so long in the making — and, you all know, we’ve encountered setbacks at every turn.

But there’s a bottom line. It’s not about time, and it’s never been about money — it’s about producing the best garment possible. Shannon will be writing about her visit on Thursday, and we’ll know more about what’s going on and how we’re going to move forward.

On a much more awesome note, we’re starting to get feedback from our backers who did receive Versalettes, and we’re hearing good things. There is nothing (nothing!) like reading a comment like this, and we’re looking forward to feedback from everyone as we work out these final kinks. {r}

Also, if you’re in Portland this week, come say hi at this Thursday’s happy hour with EcoVibe Apparel and EcoSalon!

{r}evolution reel: What Does Sustainable Fashion Mean to You?

This post was originally published on EcoSalon, where we share part of our journey each Friday.

It’s a tough question to answer. Sustainable fashion can mean so many things — and be described in so many different ways.

But last week, while on tour, we took the opportunity to ask the people of Seattle this question: What is sustainable fashion?

We got a mix of answers — and not one of the same. So today, we’re sharing what it means to us.

—–

Sustainable fashion is clothing that’s created with the whole life-cycle of the garment in mind. From design to sale, two questions are asked:

Where did that piece of clothing come from?

And…

What’s going to happen to it when it’s no longer worn?

Sustainability means a system of longevity that considers everyone and everything that’s involved, from the cotton farmer to the factory worker to the seamstress. It means using responsible (and low-impact) fabrics, ethically-sourced materials, and smart design that doesn’t deteriorate as quickly as the trends.

People often ask us where they can find sustainable clothing, so below is a list to get you started:

Buffalo Exchange, Good Will, Savers, Value Village. We always prefer buying used to buying new. Recycling, repurposing and reusing are the fastest way to get textiles out our landfills. Remember, one (wo)man’s trash is another (wo)man’s treasure…

Horny Toad and NAU. These two labels partnered up, and you can find a combination of outdoor activewear and casual wear all sustainably-sourced.

The Autonomie Project. Great basic tees, sneakers and pet products. Everything is organic, sweat-shop free, and vegan.

People Tree. Based in the UK, founder Safia Minney has pioneered the environmentally-friendly and fair trade fashion industry.

PACT. 100% organic-cotton underwear. Remember, the stuff underneath your clothes matters, too!

Sites we love. Fashioning Change is a great resource for finding responsible fashion at the same price points as mainstream brands. Enjoy! {r}

What does sustainable fashion mean to you? Leave a note in the comments below, and check back next week when we post about money, our shopping habits, and true cost!

Sage Versalettes are on the Way!

Today, everyone who ordered a sage Versalette received an email from us saying that they’re officially on the way!

The first batch will arrive to 66 Kickstarter backers at the beginning of next week. The rest of the order — remaining backers and pre-sales customers — will be sent shortly after, arriving in mailboxes the following week.

A small batch of charcoal Versalettes will be shipped next, followed by cherry and indigo. We’ll be getting shipments each Thursday and will shoot out updates on when the next colors are shipping.

For our U.S. supporters, we hope everyone had a great holiday celebrating America! We appreciate everyone’s patience and enthusiasm as we begin making shipments! You all rock. {r}

If you haven’t heard, we’re on the road! Take a look at our tour trailer to see what we’ve been up to, and check up on EcoSalon tomorrow with our second video in the {r}evolution reel.

Getting by with a Little Help: Shipping the Versalette

I spent a month sleeping on Shannon’s couch in April, anticipating Versalette shipments. We watched movies and taped every single address onto several hundred biodegradable mailers (with plant-based tape) and sorted them by color. We laughed at the absurdity and promised each other never to do the shipping again.

Fast forward a few months. With a van in our possession and an entire summer tour ahead, we were chomping at the bit to hit the road. But with our Versalette shipment up in the air, we weren’t sure how to pull everything off.

We thought about shipping 1,000 Versalettes from the west coast. It sounded like a nightmare, but when options are limited, it’s all about making do.

And that’s when my parents stepped in and offered a “favor” — to add to the vast list of generosities they’ve provided me (and us) over the years.

The Versalettes will be shipping from their basement, where we’ve got everything color-sorted, stamped, and ready to be stuffed and shipped as soon as the boxes arrive at the doorstep. So for everyone wondering how we’re pulling this all off — well, we don’t do much without the help and support of those closest to us.

I’ll admit, it’s weird to be 26, starting a business, and asking for help from your parents. But then again, life is pretty weird and we are both fortunate to have parents who are such supportive participants in this crazy business we’ve started. They haven’t funded or financed this start-up, but they’ve facilitated our successes in ways we probably can’t even comprehend.

The first batch of Versalettes are slated to arrive in Missouri next week, and the madness will begin. We’ll be getting about 150 sage Versalettes first, and then charcoal will arrive the following week. Every week, we’ll get a batch of a new color until everything has been shipped.

They’ll come in boxes by color and my parents will do their best to get them to the post office as quickly as possible. We’ll be sure to let everyone know as soon as the first color arrives.

In the meantime, we have a lot of exciting things going on in Seattle next week. Check out our schedule of events if you’re in the area! {r}

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Come say hi while we’re in Seattle! We’ll be having coffee at Victrola Coffee & Art in Capitol Hill on Sunday, June 24, and drinks at Urban Family Brewing Company on Wednesday, June 26.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

{the blog}

Category: entrepreneurship

An Update from K & S

KRISTIN

SHANNON

Closing a Chapter: Life Beyond {r}evolution apparel

Our Final Shipping Update

What do you Want?

The Versalette: On Sale at Noon EST!

Going Big, or Going Home

Why We Do What We Do

The Passionista Project: Jill Spiritus

An Update on Versalette Shipping!

{The Interviews} Trailer

Living Life Off-Line: {r}ecuperating…

{r}evolution reel: The End of the Road (Almost)

{r}evolution reel: A Look Inside the Movement

Coming to the End of the Road (& Moving Forward)

{r}evolution reel: Life in a Van Named Zooey

Production Update: What Happened in North Carolina?

From PDX to CLT: Shannon’s Impromptu Visit to the Sew Shop

{r}evolution reel: What Does Sustainable Fashion Mean to You?

Sage Versalettes are on the Way!

Getting by with a Little Help: Shipping the Versalette