Happy Birthday!!!

Alright everyone. Half of Fair JAKE is turning __(insert age here)____ years old! I was trying to figure out what to write today, and I thought it should probably be something about Miss Smolen. Fair JAKE is really just an extension of both our identities, and if you know either of us pretty well its easy to see where the inspiration comes from. The creativity comes across in our product, but there is a lot of individuality, perspective and philosophy that goes into our company. A lot of quirkiness and character that makes it tick. So I was thinking, what better day than Alex's birthday to give you a crash course in 50% (or more) of Fair JAKE's personality and help you understand why she is the best business partner ever!

1. Her dance moves are unparalleled. I tried to find a picture. A movie would be more appropriate but I'm either laughing too hard to get a steady picture or she's moving to fast so all you get is a blur across your picture. This is the best example I can find. You'll just have to go dancing with her yourself - make sure you bring your best moves!

2. She is a snazzy dresser. And she often brings along Francis. Who is also a snazzy dresser. Hmmm wait a moment. Something is going on here...

3. She approves of staying hydrated while working.

4. And she will stand up to anything. New York City wind, Fair JAKE competitors, unnamed business partners...

5. She always has your back and 6. will never let you drink alone.

7. She is a twin. So that is twice as awesome. 

(HUGE Happy Birthday to our #1 fan and supporter Sami!!!)

8. She's a goof and thought that this was a totally appropriate professional photograph. 

High five my friend. 

You are awesome. 

Happy Birthday!

Is Rayon Sustainable?

RAYON

Kim and I have been debating whether or not rayon is an acceptable and suitable fabric for us as environmentally and socially conscious fashion designers. We want to stay within our personal and professional guidelines but it can be difficult as new designers, taking the next leap and creating a collection. With all the beautiful silks and cottons and silk/cotton blends taunting us, they are not always the right fit. Our experience has been that they are not only expensive but many of them (especially linen) are super wrinkly, and when we are creating a women's wear collection for summer that needs to be work appropriate they do not always "work" (wrinkly clothes look straight up sloppy). We also want to keep our price points down which means finding amazing fabrics that work within our needs. This is where the debate of RAYON comes in. 

Rayon is made from cellulose fibres, such as wood (usually pine, spruce, or hemlock trees) or cotton pulp; however it is created, making it synthetic. Rayon is usually classified as a manufactured fiber and considered to be “regenerated cellulose”. Therefore, the question is, how manufactured is it?  Does the fact that it is based from natural fibres weigh out all the chemicals that go into forming it?

When rayon was first created it was known as the "artificial silk" and today it is used in multiple textiles. We like it because it has a great drape that is hard to find in cottons and linens, and it is cheaper than silk or other draping fabrics such as tencel. Plus, with all our dyeing we like to do rayon is an absorbent fabric that takes well to dyes. Finding a fabric that has the right feel and drape is important and as an eco-designer, straight up challenging, so rayon is an amazing alternative, in that respect.  

We don't like it because, like bamboo (which is another article for another day), it needs the help of chemicals to form it into the soft drape of a fabric it is. The below diagram gives you a brief run down on the processes used to manufacture rayon.

These processes use harmful chemicals that make this a challenging dilemma. Perhaps the answer is to find re-purposed rayon but when it comes to creating clothes instead of accessories the yardage is hard to come by. We have not yet solved our fabric issues, but we are always up for a challenge!

What do you think? Is rayon an acceptable sustainable fabric?

-Alex

Workin' It This Summer

It is hot out!
Kim covered what to do for date nights but what about work days. I work in an office during the day and it is tough coming up with summer appropriate attire. I feel like I am going through early menopause with the air conditioning in our old building! I am hot then cold, hot then cold.

I know a lot of my friends also work in offices or just plane indoors. So if you are like us here are some tips to staying comfortable in these hot months.

1. Short sleeves are amazing but sleeveless is better! We can't wear tops showing off our bra straps... because dress codes were apparently made by Amish men so I went out and bought:

A. New bras! Check out this one from Victoria Secret, it is great for those racer back tanks.

and

B. Wider strapped tank tops like this one from Top Shop.

Wear it with a camisole underneath and you are ready to go.

2. Skirts are amazing. Not only are they easy to wear they are breezy and feminine.

I like long skirts that are a bit more appropriate, especially if you have to bend over lots or walk around all day like I do, check out this beautifully printed skirt from Anthropologie.

3. And if Skirts aren't your thing then try out a pair of cropped pants, and if you feel like joining the trends get a colour instead of plain old black. This pair from Banana Republic is only cropped at the ankle but it cools you down and switches things up a bit. 

4. Don't forget your Cardigan! When that air conditioning is on, it gets cold. J Crew has quite the selection as does Banana Republic. I cannot tell you how many times keeping a cozy sweater, like this one, at work has saved me... I suppose taking a 15 minute break outside in the sun would help too.

5. And finally, for number 5, a comfortable, classy pair of sandals.

I love this pair of Fluevog Sandals and he is a Canadian designer so even better!...I actually might have to go buy these today after work. hahaha


I hope these tips help you out, or at least tempt you to go spruce up your summer wardrobe...right in time for FALL.


-Alex