Gaia Conceptions opened my eyes to the concept of ethical and sustainable fashion. reading about the process the designer, Andrea, takes in making the clothes really made me think about what goes into the clothes i wear everyday. all of the clothes in the Gaia Conceptions collection are made of certified organic and eco-friendly fabrics, like certified organic cotton and raw silk. each piece is hand dyed in low impact and natural dyes and each item is made just for you based on your size and color choice. love it! check out my q&a with Andrea here:
How did you get started creating clothes?
When I was a young girl my aunt taught me how to sew clothing for my dolls. Then I grew to be 6 feet tall and needed to always alter or make things for myself. I started out as a Fashion Design Major in college and learned the fundamentals of sewing and patternmaking. Then switched my major to fibers where I learned how to dye and began thinking about fibers in a more sculptural way, which led me to finally complete a degree in Sculpture. However, I continued to design and sell my clothing at festivals while I was finishing up my degree in Sculpture. Just as I was about to graduate I put my clothing on ETSY….Right about the same time I heard back from the schools I got into ETSY had me as a featured seller and I all of a sudden had a full time job doing what I love to do most.
What three words would you use to describe your current collection?
Comfortable, Multi-functional, Sustainable
What do you think makes your designs different?
My designs are simple, functional, and easy to wear. They layer well with each other and make a subtle statement. I want them to bring out the beauty in a woman without overpowering it. However, I would say it is the environmental ethos combined with the designs that really sets Gaia Conceptions apart from the rest. Continuing to make great clothes that are as sustainable as possible is the fundamental goal. We have installed water-catchment systems, a natural dye garden and studio, and are always searching for new organic and humanly cultivated fabrics.
What do you see in the future for your collection?
I definitely want to bring in more natural dyes and I’m also interested in finding a way to turn my scraps into something that I can sell for charity. I’m thinking quilts and dolls would be nice. At some point it would also be great to build a Living Machine to clean all our wastewater and solar panels to provide energy for all the sewing equipment.
Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer instead of a mass-market store?
Well the coolest thing about buying directly from the artist is it helps people like me support themselves and do what they love each day. However, there are so many other benefits to the community and perks to you as a buyer as well. Each independent designer is different, but hear are some of the things that make Gaia Conceptions good for the client and the planet:
- All garments are made to order so each piece is made specific to your size and needs and it also means there isn’t any Gaia Gear clothing sitting on a rack somewhere hoping to be loved one day. It also saves a ton of resources and energy.
- Because everything is made in-house and I’m super picky about the sustainability and human friendliness of each garment from seed to shipping. Everyone involved with the creation of your garment was paid a fair wage and had a healthy work environment.
3 Comments
June 24, 2009 at 9:50 pm
[...] HEALTHY interview: Gaia Conceptions [...]
June 25, 2009 at 7:54 am
I’ve been coveting her work for ages. I really need to order a piece or two at some point. Great job on all the eco-fashion so far!
June 25, 2009 at 12:26 pm
thanks mallory! i definitely am going to give you credit for the great green finds you have on your site. i was planning on giving you a shoutout tomorrow cause i found ecoskin through your blog.