L.A. Baby - Where It Happens

L.A. is where the magic happens they say, (I think - or is that Hollywood?) and for our business, Born on Earth, this is the truth. Jodi and I made an important visit to Los Angeles last week to visit our manufacturing contractors, get a close up look behind the scenes while our organic tees are in production, and to take pics and video (more to come) of where 'the magic' happens. Jode with Danny, owner of the print and dye house

Zoila at work on our girls tees, at her sewing shop

Zoila, hand-crafting our tees

Jodi with Zoila at the sew shop...so exciting to see OUR shirts being sewn!

Jules with Danny - proudly holding up our finished product

While there is a glitzier side to the fashion industry, the behind-the-scenes, of where it gets made, stands in bare-boned, stark contrast. There is nothing glamin' up these manufacturing businesses, like the lovely specialty shops where the finished product gets sold...and its not needed either, its just people at work 'gettin it done.' There is a lot that goes into the making of a tee - many people hard at work before it gets to that specialty clerk, and many stops on their journey to completion. Sharing this journey seems important and of interest, because in a world of mass consumption, where cheap and disposable fashion is desired, it is often lost upon the consumer what all goes into the making of a single clothing item. And let me tell you people, there is a lot! We hope to share more of what goes into the making of our tees, their journey, and to share as well the people behind that journey, because what they do has a lot of value, and they are the ones hard at work making it happen.

Green Girl-Power in LA

Jules and I spent a few super productive days in LA recently working on Born on Earth our organic, sustainable, fashion-forward kids line.

Jules the Diner Queen during our trip to LA

We met with two pioneering eco-fashion leaders who are going to help us with our line - Kelly and James from Kelly B Couture - a gorgeous eco-fashion line. They are not only super talented but are also very cool people - we are excited to work with them!
Later we met with Kiira, our brilliant designer. Check out her portfolio, she rocks. We also met with a hot new designer - Nathanial from Deeper Shade of Soul - who is starting a new line, and saw his factory floor - so much positive creative energy!

on the factory floor in LA

Later that night we had drinks with my lovely cousin Nancy and her close friend Laurie, who is the owner and designer of Pine IV jeans. They were in LA for Market - a fashion trade show. It was extraordinary to be surrounded by so much sustainable, Eco-passionate female inspiration, wisdom and skill. WOW!

Laurie (from Pine IV Jeans), Nancy & Jodi

At the end of our trip, we went to one of Kiira's clients to see her work in action - Fashionology LA. This place rocks! It is aimed at girls (tweens) and they can actually design and create their own clothes. Jules and I each made our daughters their own styles. Too bad it doesn't seem to be sustainable, but it is very fashionable and a lot of fun.