Local businesses, talented makers, and specialized products offer new ways to support our economy and sustainable fashion. Presented by Style Queue, Clothing Notes provides some noteworthy updates on shopping in the Seacoast.
Flowfold crossbody bag
Flowfold, an adventure gear company based in Maine, is now offering a crossbody bag for women called Muse. Flowfold products are generally geared toward outdoor enthusiasts, but “everyday adventures don’t necessarily need to be at the top of a mountain or on a lakeside,” said James Morin, COO and president of sales. The new bag is targeted at a growing customer base that is looking for something versatile enough for a city stroll or a hike to the local brewery. Flowfold products are designed and made in the USA.
MyBodyModel’s Kickstarter success
Erica Schmitz, founder of MyBodyModel, has reason to celebrate. She recently ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for her small Portland, Maine-based company. The company provides fashion sketch templates (croquis) to match actual body measurements. This allows sewers to sketch designs on a body shape that matches their own. The original Kickstarter goal was $20,000, but the Maine Technology Institute offered to match up to $25,000. In 23 days, the campaign raised $26,867. It’s a big step forward for the body-positive movement and sustainable style.
Waddy Toots clothing
Keep your eyes on Waddy Toots, a new online business operated out of Dover by Seacoast native Hallie Thompson. Waddy Toots offers quality and stylish clothing for women and children. “It can be hard for moms to shop for clothing with kids in tow,” Thompson said. “I want to offer women an easy online shopping and returns experience.” Thompson is choosy in her offerings, focusing on clothing made by independent designers (often moms) or by women’s cooperatives from places as far flung as Guadalajara and Romania.
RE/DONE jeans
L.A.-based company RE/DONE collects a warehouse full of vintage jeans, takes them apart at the seams, and then reconstructs them into modern styles, like High Rise and Relaxed Fit. According to their website, the production of one pair of RE/DONE jeans uses only about 50 gallons of water. “This stands in stark contrast to the 2,500 gallons of water it takes to produce a brand new pair of jeans,” the company says. Although the pants are designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, they are sold in shops all over the world — including at Onyx Boutique in downtown Portsmouth. The success of this brand has potential to inspire more designers to think secondhand first.
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