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the {r}evolution apparel blog

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    • How We Made $2,000 in 8 Hours

      February 22, 2011

    • HELP US CHOOSE COLORS FOR THE VERSALETTE!

      January 4, 2012

    • What do you Want?

      October 3, 2012

    • See it First: The {r}evolution apparel Website

      July 19, 2011

    • The Last Post from All of Us Revolution

      November 15, 2011

    • An Update from K & S

      January 30, 2013

    • Closing a Chapter: Life Beyond {r}evolution apparel

      December 12, 2012

    • Congrats to our One Week Versalette Challenge Winner, Michelle!

      December 6, 2012

    • The Versa-Letters: Austria

      November 28, 2012

    • Where Can I Feel Good About Shopping?

      November 28, 2012

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    • Gemma: OH NO!!!! I'm totally gutted that I never got a Versalette ...

    • Ariel: Y'all are movers and shakers, I'm excited for your new adventures! rock ...

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  • HOW DID WE GET HERE?

    We've been writing on this blog since September, 2010. Check out the condensed version.

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Category: Sustainable Fashion Tour

K&S-Bio-Coloring

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}

  • January 30, 2013
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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}

  • December 12, 2012
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{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!

  • August 28, 2012
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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}

  • August 16, 2012
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{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}

  • August 8, 2012
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{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!

  • August 6, 2012
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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!

  • August 2, 2012
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{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}

  • July 31, 2012
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A Photoshoot: Portland, Coffee, and a Versalette

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One morning in Portland, we met up with Heather — a friend of a friend. Over coffee at Stumptown and a stroll around Portland’s Southeast neighborhoods, she agreed to let us photograph a day in the life.

The jewelry seen here is from {made} community, a community of artists using upcycled goods in their crafts. And then, of course, Heather is wearing a charcoal Versalette.

  • July 26, 2012
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{r}evolution reel: Spark Something Sustainable

This post was originally published on EcoSalon, where we post each Friday about our journey on the road. 

On a random Thursday night in Portland, 30 people packed into a dining room at Oba Restaurant.

We had a drink. We swapped eco-tips. We took photos. We talked about sustainable fashion. We played dress-up.

It was a small gathering with a big goal: to “Spark Something Sustainable.”

Nothing earth-shattering happened that night — no petitions were signed, or commitments made, or fast-fashion CEO’s burned at the stake. It was just about the conversation.

That’s how change starts — with 30 people in a small room on a weeknight, who care enough to show up and inspire each other to live, design, and work more sustainably. It’s change on a small, yet crucial, level.

And we believe that’s what a fashion movement looks like. Working together towards something bigger than each of us individually. It’s about people and small businesses simply sparking something, no matter how big or small. It’s a slow revolution — and it all makes a difference.

A huge thanks to EcoVibe Apparel for partnering with us on this great event, and of course, to our media sponsor here at EcoSalon!

  • July 23, 2012
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From a Different Perspective: The Evolution of {r}

This is a post written by our fashion + events coordinator, Alice Ely. She’s been on the road with us for over a month now, and we wanted to share her perspective on fashion, consumption, and the environment.

The other day, on my morning run, I was listening to NPR’s Morning Edition. It started with a complete reading of the Declaration of Independence — something I haven’t thought about since 11th-grade history class and, admittedly, have never read in its entirety. I was surprised by how many grievances our founding fathers listed against the King of England, and I ended the podcast thinking that the Declaration of Independence sounded more like a teen chronicling unfair parents than the start of a revolution.

Throughout my journey at {r}evolution apparel, I’ve witnessed or heard about many of the obstacles one faces when trying to change the fashion industry. I’ve seen people respond so passionately to the idea of change that I’ve almost expected to find them sleeping in our van the next morning. Of course, I’ve also seen just how emotionally draining it is to face repeated setbacks while attempting to produce clothing that both reflects your ideals and satisfies your high-quality standards.

One of the first questions I asked when I took this position was why the logo has curly brackets around the “r.” Shannon said that the brackets served to highlight the “evolution” in revolution. I can’t help but wonder if, like our founding fathers’ revolution, the fashion industry’s change will forgo an overnight uprising. Instead, I think, a slow evolution will ensue, and one by one our grievances with the current industry will add up until we finally band together and declare that this isn’t working.

Revolutions are exciting and energizing. While evolutions are long, tumultuous processes that speed up and slow down variously over time. Often, it’s impossible to recognize an evolution until it’s over. With that in mind, I think it’s essential that even as {r} grows into a strong, durable company, we remember that changing the fashion industry will still be a long, laborious process — and one we need to continuously pursue.

Consumption habits won’t change overnight. No matter how hard we work, we still live in a world that is framed by a throw-away mindset. Likewise, we ourselves will never be perfect, and we will never make perfect consumption choices everyday. That’s okay.

What’s more important is that we are constantly aware and working towards a better world. That every choice we do make, we consider what we can do differently. If we dedicate ourselves to these small changes, we can be sure that the world’s mindset will evolve — even if slowly — toward an idea that consumption should help, not hinder, the planet.

After all, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness depend upon it.
{r}

  • July 16, 2012
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{r}evolution reel: Where Does the Money Go?

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

Money. It’s what makes the world go round.

We think about money a lot. We used to be bargain-bin, after-Christmas-sale kind of girls. But then, during our crazy journey from college grads to nomadic travelers to clothing designers, we started tracking the money trail of fashion.

It changed our perspective completely. Now, after two years of living and breathing sustainable fashion, we can hardly remember what it’s like to buy something new, or make purchases without hemming and hawing.

But we wanted to know how other people shop. What’s important to them? How often do they think about the money trail of their purchase?

According to the US Census Bureau, the average American family spent $144 per month on clothing in 2009. But where does all of that money go? We created a diagram to trace the hands that touch a garment.

That’s a lot of hands, a lot of shipping, and a lot of activity for one t-shirt or one pair of jeans. And when we look closely at all of those steps, it’s hard not to ask,

“How can clothes possibly be so cheap?”

The average pair of jeans in America costs $34. But if we accounted for all of the environmental damage done along the way — emissions, processing, GMO seeds, pesticide-use — what would the cost really be?

How much would you pay to breathe clean air? Or drink clean water?

How much would you pay so that the people who make your clothes could breathe clean air and drink clean water?

A dollar extra? Two? Three?

We don’t have all the answers and we’re learning more about true cost and the trickle-down effect every day. What we do know, though, is that shopping isn’t some frivolous activity. Shopping is an investment in the world — and your investment represents the kind of world you want to live in. {r}

  • July 16, 2012
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{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.

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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!

  • July 8, 2012
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{r}evolution reel: The Trailer

This post was originally published on EcoSalon. If you’re new to our journey (or even if you’re not!) we’ve created a video to introduce ourselves, our tour, and our mission. We’ll be posting on EcoSalon each Friday with videos and thoughts from the road, so we hope you’ll join the conversation.

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The road always surprises us. We see things that we’ve seen a million times before, but somehow, on the road, it all looks brand new.

On a rainy Seattle Sunday, we found ourselves exploring downtown. The first thing we saw was H&M, and above the building, a billboard. Featuring an attractive but relatable couple, it said:

TEES: $4.50

TOPS: $9.50

We made some snarky comments about H&M, expressed our sadness, and kept walking.

After a few minutes, our impromptu tour guide (an old friend) tepidly ventured to ask,

“What’s so bad about a cheap t-shirt?”

This friend — a super-smart, worldly, and generally aware person — had never thought about where his clothes come from. He had never thought about the story behind his purchases. And he certainly wasn’t repulsed by that attractive H&M billboard like we were.

It was such a small moment — with such a big lesson. We explained to him in a few minutes about how clothes are made, who makes most of them, and why disposable fashion is destructive to the planet. Afterwards, he said,

“Oh, I had really never thought about that before.”

That moment is what our summer is all about. It’s about seeing things for the first time, even if you see them every day. It’s about bringing “the road” to everyday life, and taking a moment to think deeper about the things we rush past while we’re caught up in our busy day-to-day.

It’s about sparking one thought — one person at a time. {r}

We’ve been in Seattle for the past two weeks! Check out the photos from the tour here, and keep up with us as we continue the adventure in Portland.

A NOTE ABOUT PRODUCTION: The first batch of Sage Versalettes are being shipped out today! If you ordered Sage, keep an eye out for an email detailing the arrival of your Versalette. Charcoal should be arriving from the sew shop at the end of next week!

  • July 1, 2012
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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.

  • June 22, 2012
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Sustainable Fashion Tour: Vancouver

We finally made it!

After a week and a half on the road, driving from Missouri to Vancouver, our Sustainable Fashion Tour has officially kicked off!

Our time on the road thus far has been amazing. We hiked around the Flatirons in Boulder. Drove across Wyoming with no cell service. Tested out sleeping in the van. Met the wonderful Courtney Carver. Stayed in a Twitter friend’s beautiful home in Boise. And just barely squeaked through Canadian customs (really).

Now we’re officially getting the tour started. We’ve spent the past couple of days in Vancouver and have had a better start to the summer than we could have hoped for.

On Wednesday night, Vancouver’s Young Women in Business chapter hosted us and local designer, Malene Grotrian for a night of versatile fashion. As soon as we walked into Calabash Bistro there was a moment of, “Okay, this is it. We’re really doing this.”

About 50 young women filtered in, and we spoke for 30 minutes, sharing the story of how we started, as well as the highs and lows of all that we’ve gone through while starting a business. We were thrilled by everyone’s enthusiasm to see the Versalette, and by the end of the night, the photo booth was running high with girls creating new ways to wear the sample Versalette we brought.

We woke up on Thursday morning to interview the “poster girl of sustainable fashion” Melissa Ferreira, for our documentary. She showed us around her studio and the behind-the-scenes of her workshop, and we shared a common feeling of change, kindness and impact.

Today, we had lunch with the founder of Eco Fashion Week, Myriam Laroche, and captured some of her thoughts on film. We feel fortunate to be meeting such high-impact, knowledgeable change-makers — there really couldn’t be a better start to this journey.

We leave for Seattle on Saturday with a lot to look forward to: meeting our interns for the first time, opening our mobile pop-up shop for a few days, interviewing a front-runner in the sustainable fashion industry, taking a field trip to a landfill, and sharing our story on NW Focus! {r}

  • June 15, 2012
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{r} photos: Boulder to Boise

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  • June 10, 2012
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{r} Photos: Kansas City to Boulder

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  • June 8, 2012
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