Artisans Preserving Tradition
Around the globe, female artisans are preserving ancient techniques that have been passed down for generations. One such craftswoman is Eppie Archuleta, a fourth-generation master weaver and textile artisan from New Mexico. Eppie is world-renowned for carrying on the centuries-old tradition of weaving with a loom in the southwestern Hispanic style. She employed traditional techniques to prepare the wool and then used natural materials to dye the yarn. In 1989, Eppie opened her own wool mill. Her initiative helped improve her area’s struggling economy by employing locals to work there.
Eppie’s efforts to improve her community and pass down traditional weaving techniques have been recognized and exhibited around the world. Women like Eppie not only create beautiful textiles; they also sustain cultural heritage and empower their communities. Passion Lilie’s partners in India hire women like Eppie to craft beautiful handmade garments. They use ancient techniques to weave scarves and clothing, passing down age-old art forms that tell stories of a different time and place.Designers Redefining Fashion
Innovative designers are redefining fashion by prioritizing sustainability and ethical practices. Eileen Fisher, founder of her eponymous brand, is a leader of the sustainable fashion movement. Her brand focuses on simplicity, sustainability, and timeless design, using organic fabrics and supporting fair labor practices.
Eileen Fisher selects fabrics that are regenerative, renewable, and recyclable, ensuring that her clothes contribute to a circular economy rather than a linear one. The brand uses production processes that require less water and energy and fewer chemicals. They also have a takeback and resale program to give more life to their garments. Eileen Fisher is committed to creating a sustainable fashion industry with less waste. Her designs not only inspire fashion enthusiasts but also set new standards for environmental responsibility in the industry.Leaders Driving Change
Women leaders are driving change by advocating for transparency, fair wages, and ethical production practices. Livia Giuggioli Firth, an environmental activist and co-founder of Eco-Age, is a prominent figure in this space, championing a more sustainable fashion industry. Her company is a consultancy that helps businesses adopt sustainable practices. She is also the creator of the Green Carpet Challenge, a movement that promotes sustainable fashion on the red carpet, and the producer of the award-winning documentary The True Cost. Her tireless efforts have not only raised awareness but also inspired countless individuals and businesses to take action, propelling the movement towards a greener future.Orsola de Castro is the co-founder and creative director of Fashion Revolution, a global movement calling for greater transparency, sustainability, and ethics in the fashion industry. She is a vocal advocate for sustainable fashion and ethical production practices. If you’ve been reading the Passion Lilie blog for a while, you know we love Fashion Revolution and the work they do. The campaign began following the 2013 Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Bangladesh and has since galvanized a movement of more than one million people around the globe to ask “Who Made My Clothes?” to demand transparency from the fashion industry. Passion Lilie is proud to support the movement and take part in Fashion Revolution Week each year on the anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy.Another female leader we admire is Safia Minney, a sustainable fashion entrepreneur. She founded her brand, People Tree, and was one of the pioneering figures of the Fair Trade movement. In 1999, she initiated World Fair Trade Day – an occasion Passion Lilie celebrates on the second Saturday of May each year. We’re grateful to sustainable fashion trailblazers like Safia who have paved the way for brands like ours to be successful.Passion Lilie's Commitment to Empowering Women in Sustainable Fashion
As a trailblazer in sustainable fashion, we recognize our responsibility to drive positive change in the clothing industry. Beyond ensuring fair wages, we provide opportunities for artisans to enhance their skills and livelihoods. Despite women constituting over 60% of the apparel workforce in India, few progress to the more lucrative role of a tailor. To address this gap, we have established a comprehensive, no-cost job training initiative.
Our training program offers aspiring female artisans three months of intensive training, along with a stipend, access to a sewing machine, and workspace at our partner's sewing unit. Participants gain advanced sewing skills across various garments and fabrics, empowering them to become skilled tailors and earn higher wages.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants are offered a position at our partner's unit. Importantly, during the training, participants do not work on Passion Lilie garments, and there is no obligation to complete the program if they choose not to.
The women who complete the training program are empowered with skills they can use to improve their careers and their livelihoods. It's crucial to recognize that the sustainable fashion movement is enriched by the women who lead the way and those who work within the industry. Women from diverse backgrounds bring unique perspectives and experiences, shaping a more inclusive industry. These remarkable women are not just shaping the future of fashion; they are redefining the industry's standards and inspiring a new generation of designers, artisans, and advocates. By celebrating and amplifying their voices, we can create a more equitable and sustainable fashion ecosystem.
As we celebrate these women and their contributions to the sustainable fashion movement, let's also look forward to a future where their efforts pave the way for a more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable industry. Together, we can support and empower female artisans, designers, and leaders, creating a positive impact that resonates far beyond the world of fashion.
]]>During Black History Month, the Passion Lilie team is reflecting on the significant contributions of Black fashion icons who have shaped the industry and paved the way for diversity and inclusion. From trailblazing designers to influential models and stylists, their impact has been profound and continues to inspire people like us both within and outside the fashion industry.
One of the most iconic figures in fashion history is Dapper Dan of Harlem, known for his bold and innovative designs that blend luxury fashion with streetwear. He challenges traditional notions of high fashion by creating custom pieces that celebrate Black culture and style. His work has influenced countless designers and has been celebrated for its fearless creativity.
Ann Lowe is a pioneering figure known for creating Jacqueline Kennedy's iconic wedding dress. On the day of the Kennedy wedding, Lowe was told to enter through the servant’s door of the wedding venue. She refused, saying she’d leave and take the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses with her. She was eventually allowed through the main entrance. Despite facing discrimination as a Black designer, Lowe persevered and became one of the most sought-after couturiers of her time, known for her exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail.
In the world of modeling, Naomi Campbell has been a trailblazer, breaking barriers as one of the first Black models to achieve international supermodel status. She was the first Black model to be featured on the cover of Time and Vogue France, and the first to open a Prada show. Her impact on the fashion industry goes beyond the runway, as she continues to advocate for diversity and inclusion in fashion. In 2011, Campbell spoke out, saying "The American president may be black, but as a black woman, I am still an exception in this business. I always have to work harder to be treated equally." She joined with fellow Black models in calling out fashion designers who used one or zero models of color in their fashion shows, calling it a “racist act.”
As the sustainable fashion movement has gained momentum, many designers have gravitated towards eco-friendly, ethical production practices. Black designers have played a crucial role in this movement, developing sustainable brands and driving innovation in the fashion industry.
Aurora James founded Brother Vellies, a luxury footwear and accessories line that uses sustainable materials and ethical production practices. Her goal was to elevate the work of African artisans, and she has since expanded to work with craftspeople around the world. She’s well known for designing Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez’s “Tax The Rich” Met Gala dress. She is also the founder of the "15 Percent Pledge," a non-profit organization that urges major retailers to commit 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses in order to advocate for Black-owned businesses and build generational wealth in Black communities. The organization offers consulting, accountability, and strategy suggestions. Of many well-deserved awards and accolades, James was been recognized in Time’s 2021 list of 100 most influential people in the world and was Glamour’s 2022 Woman of the Year.
These are just a few examples of the many Black fashion icons who have made lasting contributions to the industry. Their talent, creativity, and resilience have helped shape the fashion landscape and have paved the way for greater diversity and representation. The fashion industry is a powerful platform for representing diversity in all its forms – race, ethnicity, gender, body shapes, age, and more. When people see themselves in a runway show or fashion campaign, it sends a powerful message of inclusivity and belonging. This representation fosters a sense of pride and identity in marginalized communities and challenges the beauty standards we’ve normalized.
Diversity in the fashion industry invites creativity and innovation. Designers from different backgrounds bring new ideas, materials, and customs to the runway, disrupting fashion norms. A diverse runway brings new styles, elevates cultures, and creates space for original ideas. Brands reap the rewards of diversifying their styles and representation when their consumer base is expanded by people who see themselves in the designs.
The fashion industry has a massive influence on our culture and as such, brands and designers must lead the way in diversity and inclusion. The industry has a responsibility to create positive change by uplifting underrepresented communities, showcasing diverse talent, and advocating for inclusivity. We can and we must contribute to a more just and equitable society.
In conclusion, celebrating diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry is not just a trend; it's a necessity. By embracing diversity, fashion has the power to empower individuals, drive innovation, and promote positive social change. Do you have a favorite Black designer or fashion icon? Let us know in the comments!
It’s Mardi Gras season in New Orleans! The Passion Lilie team is indulging in all the king cakes we can get our hands on as we prepare for the big weekends of carnival ahead. The music, the parades, and the pervading sense of joy and revelry make for a season we look forward to all year long. As a sustainable business, however, we start to get a little twitchy when we think about the environmental impacts of Mardi Gras. From plastic waste to energy consumption, Mardi Gras can leave a significant footprint. In this post, we'll explore the environmental impact of Mardi Gras and offer tips on how to have a more sustainable carnival season.
The Plastic Problem
In 2023, New Orleans sent 1,150 tons of waste to the landfill in 11 days of Mardi Gras festivities. Much of the nearly 2.6 million pounds of waste included unwanted parade throws, cans, and plastic bottles that could be recycled. Unfortunately, the city lacks the tools and infrastructure to encourage proper disposal of these items, and they end up littering streets, clogging storm drains, and leaking chemicals, paints, and microplastics into our waterways. “Mardi Gras trees” stand weighted down by toxic beads year-round from the carnival season, and we subject our children to chemicals and heavy metals when they catch and carry their airborne treasures. Each year, The City of New Orleans spends millions cleaning beads from storm drains on the parade route. As anyone who has been to New Orleans can attest, those resources are vital and could serve any number of critical needs in our city.
The tradition of throwing beads started with a Mardi Gras organization called Rex. They threw Czechoslovakian glass beads, eventually transitioning to the plastic ones we see today. Today’s beads come from China, made from crushed computers and electronics the US sends for disposal. They’re manufactured into beads, coated in toxic paint, and sent back to the US in shiploads.
A recent study found that these beads contain chemicals like flame retardant and lead in higher levels than are legally safe for children. These toxins are linked to asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, liver toxicity, and cancer. Yet here we are, encouraging children to catch and celebrate these dangerous throws. When they eventually end up in the landfill, they take centuries to break down. In the meantime, toxins seep into our soil and water, entering our food chain and negatively impacting our health.
New Orleans is the city best known for Mardi Gras, but carnival season is celebrated along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. Toxic beads enter storm drains, flow through waterways, and settle in the Mississippi Delta and the Gulf. The Mardi Gras plastic problem is undeniable, and it’s time to start doing something about it.
It’s not just the beads…
Several factors add to the impact of parade throws, including gigantic floats, costumes, and parade day litter. The carbon footprint of Mardi Gras is enormous when you consider transportation, lighting, and floats made from non-sustainable materials. Revelers leave cans, cups, and food trash along every inch of the parade route due to a lack of proper receptacles and an overall culture of litter. The very elements that make Mardi Gras so magical require significant energy and contribute to carbon emissions and pollution. We believe it’s possible to make Mardi Gras a greener celebration, but it will take awareness and a shift in carnival culture. Here are our ideas for a more sustainable Mardi Gras celebration.
A Purple, Yellow, and Green Celebration
Recent years have seen a growing awareness of the waste Mardi Gras season produces. Many Krewes and riders are exploring sustainable options for throws and decorations. Several local organizations have developed biodegradable beads and sustainable throws like jute bags with local coffee, red beans, and popcorn. These throws are more expensive, of course, because makers are paid fairly and materials are high quality. Grounds Krewe is a New Orleans non-profit that offers sustainable, non-toxic, and fairly made throws. Their catalog includes soap, honey sticks, bamboo toothbrush sets, biodegradable glitter, and so much more. Epiphany Throws, another local organization, offers beads made from acai seeds, recycled cotton, and recycled flip-flops. With these options available, Krewe members can budget their throws, using fewer, high-quality pieces in place of cheap and destructive ones. Revenue from these products benefits local organizations and makers, uplifting our economy and helping people in our area.
Every year, hundreds of giant floats roll through the streets of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. They’re largely made from non-renewable resources that end up as waste. Instead of traditional materials, Mardi Gras organizations could use recycled materials like repurposed wood, cardboard, or reclaimed metal for float construction. Not only does this reduce the demand for new resources, but it also gives new life to materials that might otherwise end up in landfills. Many Krewes use plastic for their float decorations, but natural materials like paper, cloth, and plant-based dyes can add a festive touch to floats without harming the environment.
Lighting is a major part of parades and float design. Several lighting swaps could make floats more energy-efficient without compromising the dazzling display. LED lights consume less energy and have a longer lifespan than traditional incandescent bulbs, reducing both electricity usage and waste. Float makers might also embrace solar power by incorporating solar-powered lighting into their float design. Solar panels can harness the sun's energy during the day, providing illumination for floats without relying on grid electricity.
On an individual level, there are a few things we can do to help have a greener Mardi Gras. Grounds Krewe’s best advice for parade goers is to adopt a camping mentality of “pack it in, pack it out.” Whatever food or trash you bring to the parade, be sure to take it home and dispose of it properly there. Individual responsibility for our waste is a much better strategy than relying on the city for cleanup.
As for beads, if you do catch the chemical-ridden plastic ones, be sure not to allow children to put them in their mouths. We recommend carrying baby wipes to the parade to wipe down beads and wash hands after touching the throws. Many organizations offer bead recycling programs when Mardi Gras season is over. While this is not an ideal situation because the toxic beads remain in circulation, it is a better alternative to being dumped in a landfill. The Arc of Greater New Orleans is a non-profit that employs people with intellectual disabilities to recycle and resell Mardi Gras beads throughout the year. The organization offers several drop-off locations for bead donations around the city.
Another small but significant choice is to reduce your carbon footprint by opting to carpool or use public transportation to get to the parades. With so many people traveling to Mardi Gras, even little decisions like these can have a large cumulative impact.
Do you have ideas for how to have a greener Mardi Gras season? We’d love to hear them in the comments. In the meantime, have some king cake and laissez les bon temps rouler!
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]]>Passion Lilie was conceived more than a decade ago when designer Katie Schmidt recognized an absence of high-quality, affordable, sustainable fashion in the marketplace. She knew there was a way to offer beautiful clothing that stood the test of time and trends without hurting the planet or the people making the garments. And she was right! Nearly eleven years later, Passion Lilie has a bevy of loyal customers and garners more and more attention from local and national media. If there’s one thing Katie has learned through the years, it’s that business and sustainable fashion brands are always evolving. Sustainability is not a series of boxes we check off and pronounce success. It’s something that’s constantly evolving, with moving goalposts and changing metrics – and that’s how it should be! That’s how we keep getting better at serving our planet and the people who live here. Read on to see how the sustainable fashion industry is evolving.
Innovative Materials
One of the most considerable changes in the sustainable fashion industry is the movement toward innovative materials like organic cotton, modal, and recycled fabrics. Passion Lilie strives to use 100% organic materials whenever possible because it’s healthier for farmers, consumers, and the environment. You can read more on why we prefer organic materials here. This year, we took significant steps towards sustainability by investing in organic yarns for our ikat fabrics, resulting in a substantial increase in our organic production for Spring 2024. The Spring 2024 collection will be 80-90% organic, compared to 50% in prior years. We plan for Passion Lilie products to be 100% organic by 2025.
Other sustainable fashion brands are experimenting with different materials like lab-grown fibers; biodegradable fabrics made from things like algae, bacteria, or mushrooms; and fabric made from recycled materials like plastic bottles and fishing nets. The production processes for these fibers often use less water and fewer chemicals and emit less CO2 into the atmosphere.
Our friends at Sustainably Chic did a breakdown of some of the most innovative new fabrics in the marketplace, including leathers made from fruit by-products, wood, and textile waste. Check it out for an idea of how the sustainable fashion industry is evolving in creative ways.
Circular Economy Strategies
Unlike the traditional linear model of "make, use, dispose," a circular economy aims to eliminate waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. In a circular economy, materials are reused, refurbished, repurposed, composted…anything to keep them in circulation and out of the landfill. Many sustainable fashion brands are focusing on “closing the loop” by creating garments and accessories that are made from natural materials like organic cotton that are durable and can be repurposed or recycled at the end of their lifecycle. By using these strategies to extend their products’ lifecycle, sustainable fashion brands can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Companies that embrace circular economy strategies may also adopt clothes rental subscriptions, recycling incentives, take-back policies, or upcycle seasonal designs to extend the lifecycle of their clothes. This promotes more efficient use of textiles and encourages consumers to adopt a sustainable mentality when shopping.
At Passion Lilie, we try to use every scrap of fabric that falls to the production floor by turning remnants into jewelry, home goods, or beauty products. Our zero-waste collection will continue to expand as we strive to be a waste-free brand. Other companies offer platforms for reselling, returning, or repurposing clothes to achieve a closed-loop system.
3D Technology
In recent years, 3D technology has become an important part of sustainable production by helping companies minimize waste, reduce environmental impact, and provide customization without an increased financial and ecological cost.
One major way that 3D technology helps reduce waste is by providing retailers with 3D samples instead of physical products. Products often go through dozens of iterations before they’re finalized, so 3D samples eliminate the time and materials involved in product development.
Many sustainable fashion brands are turning to 3D printing technology as a way to create products on demand, rather than overproducing garments. 3D printing and scanning technologies give brands the ability to create custom clothing that fits a customer’s exact measurements and specifications. This in turn is likely to lead to fewer returns and reduced waste in the retail process. Producing garments on demand instead of large-scale production ultimately reduces inventory and material waste used in the manufacturing process.
If the idea of 3D-printed clothing conjures images of stiff, uncomfortable clothing, you’re not alone. But 3D technology is capable of using sustainable materials like biodegradable fibers and recycled textiles to create comfortable, beautiful clothing as an alternative to traditional textiles.
As 3D technology becomes more easily available, sustainable fashion brands will be able to optimize their production processes, reduce waste, and create custom looks and fits for their customers.
Blockchain Technology
Another key evolution in sustainability is the use of blockchain technology. For supply chains, one of the most important features of blockchain is its ability to create a secure and transparent record of transactions that is resistant to tampering or modification. With blockchain technology, products can be tracked through every stop in the supply chain, from raw material sourcing to the final product. Each step of the process can be recorded, providing a transparent and traceable history of a product’s journey. This is especially significant for procurers of luxury goods – there’s no question about the quality or authenticity of the products.
Blockchain technology streamlines the supply chain process, reducing paperwork and errors. It can automate processes and trigger actions that are directly written into the code. Companies can demonstrate commitment to ethical, eco-friendly practices by using the blockchain to ensure compliance and record relevant data and metrics. Transparency is a major component of any sustainable business, and blockchain technology is a reliable innovation for companies and consumers to use for full accountability.
Speaking of Transparency
While not as innovative as fabrics made from pineapple waste or 3D technology, the idea of transparency continues to evolve in other ways, like the importance of educating consumers. In recent years, brands have taken the onus of educating consumers about the impact of their fashion choices. Sustainable fashion brands promote transparency in everything from materials to makers to supply chain practices. We want people to know who made their clothes and in what conditions so that they understand what happens when they choose fast fashion over ethically made, sustainable options. We tell people that they vote with their money. When shoppers purchase sustainable, ethically made clothing, they’re demanding a better fashion industry for all.
Brands that are truly committed to sustainability will likely have information about every stop on their supply chain including where and how materials are sourced, where the products are made, and the conditions wherein people make the clothing. If this information is not readily available, you should probably hold up your red flag. It would be worth your time to contact the company in search of the answers you want.
Conclusion
Sustainable fashion brands have come a long way since Katie first started Passion Lilie, but we know there’s always work to do. We hope you’ll join us on our journey to become more sustainable with each passing day. Let us know in the comments if you have ideas for how the industry can continue to evolve.
As we enter a new year, Passion Lilie is reflecting on our goals, achievements, and our role in sustainable fashion. With each passing year, it becomes more evident that while governments and big corporations may struggle to make the most ethical decisions for the environment, individual people are consciously choosing to make the world a better place through their lifestyle decisions. Our mission is to make those decisions more playful, comfortable, and affordable for you!
At Passion Lilie, we see the dedication to our planet every single day. New Orleans visitors step into the shop thrilled to see sustainable fashion and Fair Trade goods in the heart of the French Quarter. Returning customers email us messages of gratitude and encouragement. Fellow climate and Fair Trade activists reach out in support and solidarity. Each of these interactions gives us hope for our planet, the motivation to reach our goals, and the inspiration to raise the fashion industry's standards.
Every sale, social media engagement, and uplifting email shows us that so many people are out there doing their absolute best work to care for the earth and the humans who live on it. Our goal at Passion Lilie is to make it just a little bit easier for folks to do that by creating beautiful, affordable clothes and goods that uplift people and the planet. Read on to see how we worked toward that goal in 2023.
Our Impact Report
As a Fair Trade, sustainable fashion brand, transparency is at the heart of everything we do. We preach the importance of transparency in nearly every blog post, interview, and conversation about conscious consumerism. We believe shoppers should have easy access to information about who made their clothes and the environmental impacts of the production process. It has been a long-time goal to develop an annual report detailing the difference you make when you shop Passion Lilie’s sustainable fashion, and in 2023, we made it a reality.
This year, we created our first-ever Impact Report – a comprehensive document highlighting the effects of our work, showcasing our dedication to transparency and accountability, and bringing you more of the Passion Lilie story. We’re committed to updating this report annually to provide our stakeholders with a clear view of our progress and impact.
Giving Back
Our commitment to social responsibility goes beyond our own work ensuring fair wages and safe conditions for the artisans who make our products. This year, we donated 10% of our April proceeds to The Green Project, a New Orleans environmental nonprofit, to celebrate Earth Day. Through selling used materials and teaching about reuse, The Green Project provides affordable materials to the community, hosts low-cost and free workshops, keeps usable goods out of landfills and nearby waterways, preserves historic architectural pieces, and educates residents about environmental issues. We’re proud to help however we can with supplies and financial support.
Throughout the year, we also donated to important causes like Lahaina fire relief and Uncommon Threads, a nonprofit women’s clothing boutique. Uncommon Threads is an organization that addresses all aspects of a woman’s clothing needs while nurturing personal growth through self-esteem-focused styling sessions and workshops. Looking ahead to 2024, we remain steadfast in our support for these causes and are open to embracing new partnerships that align with our mission.
Media Coverage
Passion Lilie’s leadership in sustainable fashion is gaining the attention of local and national media outlets. Forbes, Upworthy, and WWNO (NPR) are just a few of the organizations that featured Passion Lilie during the past year. Coverage in The Honest Consumer and in NOLA Adore have helped us amplify our message and reach a wider audience. These acknowledgments serve as a testament to the impact of our work and inspire us to continue striving for excellence.
One of the most engaging opportunities we had this year came in the form of an exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour was a traveling exhibit designed to confront our ideas about what American fashion means to each of us. Like America itself, the exhibit was multifaceted and rich in diversity. Passion Lilie was honored to be included as a brand that challenges the global fashion industry by rejecting unsuitable working environments and working conditions as the norm. To us, social justice means advocating for the hidden labor force that bears the heavy weight of the global fashion industry. Passion Lilie was in good company with myriad brands and designers who changed the fashion systems of their generation.
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability is the heart of everything we do at Passion Lilie. It’s not a box we check once we’ve reached our goal; it’s an ever-evolving mission to care for people and the planet. This year, we took significant steps towards sustainability by investing in organic yarns for our ikat fabrics, resulting in a substantial increase in our organic production for Spring 2024. The Spring 2024 collection will be 80-90% organic, compared to 50% in prior years. We plan for Passion Lilie products to be 100% organic by 2025.
This year, we furthered our commitment to becoming a zero-waste company by introducing a new zero-waste product – a round crossbody purse that became an instant favorite. Our zero-waste headbands and napkins continued to be best-sellers. New technology and innovations ensure that the sustainable fashion industry is always advancing. We’re dedicated to remaining ahead of the curve, constantly learning and adjusting our goals to be more sustainable than we were the year before.
New Products
You asked; we delivered! After years of demand, we were proud to introduce men’s shorts to the Passion Lilie line in 2023. We offered new prints and silhouettes in floral, foliage, and celestial-themed prints. Our Spring 2024 collection will have a tropical vibe with playful prints designed to evoke a sense of vacation, no matter where you are.
Another special addition to the Passion Lilie shop is hand-crafted papier mâché ornaments. When CEO and designer Katie Schmidt was introduced to a struggling artisan in India, she knew his craft would be a perfect addition to the Passion Lilie collection. The artist was creating beautiful hand-made ornaments to help cover massive medical bills after his brother’s death. Each piece is truly a work of art – he just needed somewhere to sell them. Now they decorate our French Quarter store, delighting customers who ask for the story behind the beautiful ornaments. You can find gorgeous hand-painted stars, elephants, and classic ball-shaped ornaments on our website, too. They’ve been so popular that we plan to expand our order in 2024. This partnership not only showcases exquisite craftsmanship but also embodies our commitment to supporting artisans in need.
As we conclude another year of working toward a more ethical, sustainable fashion industry, we’re grateful to our customers, followers, and partners who walk alongside us on this journey. Our work is made possible by people like you who believe in the importance of sustainable fashion and are committed to improving our world for future generations. With a successful 2023 in the rearview mirror, we’re looking forward to a new year for making a positive difference through sustainable fashion.
At this point in the holiday season, the Passion Lilie team is feeling a confounding mix of exhaustion, exhilaration, existential dread, joy, and a million other emotions. So much labor goes into making the holidays special: the mental and physical toll of choosing the perfect gifts for loved ones, decorating, traveling to see family, and dressing up for more social events than we attend in the rest of the year combined. We’re grateful to spend time with the people we cherish most, and…we’re tired. We know that a lack of sleep, financial stress, unrealistic expectations, grief, and anxiety about the year ahead can weigh heavily on so many people during this time of year.
When we start feeling ourselves going through the holiday motions – feeling stressed about things that should be joyful – that’s when we know it’s time for a holiday self-care break. Self-care means something different for everyone and your definition of self-care may evolve through different life phases. Whatever holiday self-care means to you, it should be an intentional practice to preserve your physical, mental, and emotional health. Holiday self-care will help you avoid burnout and stress so that you live your holidays to the fullest.
Read on for some of our favorite holiday self-care tips for whatever phase of life you find yourself in this season.
Pamper yourself (or someone you love) at home.
Self-care practices can be traced back to ancient times, with Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese civilizations focusing on wellness and self-care rituals. They took time for meditation, bathing, massages, and herbal remedies. These practices remain some of the most common self-care exercises and are often the ones that come to mind at the mention of self-care.
If this form of self-care is what rejuvenates and energizes your spirit, Passion Lilie has everything you need to turn your home into a spa for a little while. In the craziness of the season, make time to slow down. Take a break from social media, meditate, draw a bath, or relax with a warm drink. Our luxe bath bombs are a relaxing, healing option to help make the most of your downtime. One of our favorite bath bombs, Head Relief, helps relieve congestion with an aroma of citrus and spice from peppermint, clove, and lemon essential oils. It’s the perfect antidote to a hectic winter day.
Another shop favorite is bars of soap made by Bayou Soap Co. Each huge hunk of soap smells heavenly; you can’t go wrong when choosing the perfect scent. They’re handmade in New Orleans from high-quality ingredients and scented with essential and fragrance oils. Our customers love that they’re big enough to be cut into smaller pieces and used as needed.
Fun fact: “Soapmaster General” William Terry, the creator of Bayou Soaps, is also a Grammy Award-winning saxophone player and musician!
After a relaxing soak, be sure to moisturize your skin to protect against the wintry weather. Our Shea Butter Lotion is handmade by women in Ghana. It’s made with pure, unrefined shea butter, which has natural, therapeutic properties that moisturize and restore the natural beauty of the skin.
A home spa session is certainly not a one-size-fits-all holiday self-care solution, but it can be a good one if carving out some time each day to relax in the tub is your jam. It also makes an easy, luxurious gift for someone you know who might be struggling through the holiday season. Grab a basket and add fizzy bath bombs, yummy soaps, and healing shea butter for a thoughtful holiday self-care kit.
Exercise and Nutritious Foods
One important form of self-care that’s often neglected during the holidays is how we treat our bodies. Chaotic schedules and an abundance of seasonal goodies can disrupt the natural rhythms of our bodies, sending our systems into a tailspin. I know that my body thrives on whole foods and that I need to maintain my sleep schedule at all costs. For me, self-care means carefully guarding the time I dedicate to sleep, exercise, and preparing nutritious meals for myself and my family.
During the holidays, it’s especially important to move our bodies to release endorphins and manage the stress and anxiety of having to deal with certain family members and carry the weight of holiday obligations. Incorporating daily exercise – especially if you can manage getting outside to do it – will be an instant mood boost. Moving can help disconnect from daily stressors, improve cognitive function and creativity, and allow you to focus on your own well-being. Connecting with nature is an added bonus if your winter weather allows it, but a living room dance party to your favorite playlist works just as well.
Pro-tip: Blocking out time in your day for exercise is not just a way to practice holiday self-care; taking a walk is also an excellent opportunity to excuse yourself from a dinner table that’s getting just a little too political. Protecting your mental health is holiday self-care, too!
Hold Your Boundaries
Boundaries are crucial to maintaining your peace of mind during the holidays. They help us define how we allow ourselves to be treated and how the actions of others affect us. It may take trial and error over the years, but the first step is to identify your own wants, needs, and triggers. When you can identify the things, people, or situations that cause you stress, you’re more equipped to respond to them in a healthy way or avoid them altogether.
Once you’ve established your boundaries, make sure to clearly communicate them to those in your circle. Whether you need to delegate meal-prepping duties or preserve quiet time, letting your loved ones know how to support you is an important part of boundary setting.
Don’t be afraid to turn down invitations in order to maintain your mental health – prioritizing the way you spend your time is a key component in setting and holding your boundaries. Having an arsenal of self-care tools at the ready for days when you just need to say no and make space for yourself is an excellent way to set yourself up for success. Keep books, bath bombs, movies, playlists, or an art project on standby to help when you need to slow down and take a self-care break.
Serve Others
For many people, the holidays can be a lonely time. It’s easy to see friends’ highlight reels on social media and feel left out of the holiday magic and festivities. Some years are harder than others, especially when you’re experiencing loss or loneliness. If you’re struggling this season, try giving your time, talent, or treasure to people who need it. Volunteering will help orient your thoughts toward others and give you something to keep busy. Making homemade gifts and treats is another way to occupy your mind and hands and bring joy to others. The warm feeling of giving back is holiday self-care at its finest.
We hope these holiday self-care ideas help to make the season merry and bright for you. Let us know in the comments if you have other tips!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – but it’s the most wasteful time, too. The holidays are around the corner and with them comes the annual increase in consumption. From packaging and lights to travel, gifts, and décor, our carbon footprint grows dramatically during the holiday season. Americans toss out 25% more trash during the holidays than any other time of year, increasing waste from an average of five pounds of trash per day to around 6.5 pounds per day.
A 2022 Salesforce report predicted that consumers would return more than $1.4 billion orders after the holiday season, and that number is expected to increase this year. Many retailers don’t resell returned items, finding it more cost-effective to send them to the landfill. Even the most conscious consumers often forget or don’t realize that their returns have a major impact on the planet. With more than five billion pounds of returns ending up in landfills each year, carbon emissions and packing waste are becoming a huge issue.
The climate implications of gift-giving are important to keep in mind as you plan for the holidays this year, and Passion Lilie is here to help. Follow these steps for eco-friendly gift giving this holiday season.
Think Before You Buy
Before you even pull up your browser or step into a store, think carefully about the person for whom you’re shopping. Consider what that person likes to do and what tools, products, or experiences they consider useful. Instead of buying them a physical gift, is there an experience or service you might offer instead? Some possible options include mobile car detailing, a special interest class (online or in person), museum membership, salon experience, meal gift cards, a celebrity video from Cameo, or tickets to see a show or performance. Whatever their interest, you can probably find something online to match it. The most eco-friendly gift is often not a physical product, but it’s something they will use, enjoy, and remember forever.
Another excellent non-material eco-friendly gift is a donation to your loved one’s favorite charity in their name. It’s a thoughtful way to show that they’re important to you, and so are their causes. As a bonus, charitable gifts are tax deductible if you choose to itemize on your returns.
Opt for DIY Gifts
Homemade gifts are an excellent option for reducing financial and physical waste. Making a batch of sweet treats, bath goods, jams, or candles can help you save tons of money on gifts while avoiding the wasteful aspects of mass-market goods. Putting your skills to use is a thoughtful way to show that you put time and effort into a gift while reducing the environmental impacts of the season.
Check The Materials
One good sign that you’re choosing an eco-friendly gift is the materials from which the product is made. If they’re recyclable and/or biodegradable, that indicates that you’re buying something sustainable. Look for items that come in eco-friendly packaging like recycled paper or reusable containers.
You could even take this a step further by giving eco-friendly lifestyle gifts like stainless steel straws, bamboo utensils, eco-friendly water bottles, or cloth shopping bags. Find items that are ethically made and that will help reduce waste in your loved one’s daily life.
Research the Company
Before you buy anything, we always recommend a quick look into the company you’re supporting. There are a few important things to make sure of: that they treat their employees fairly, that their goods are made ethically, and that their supply chain is as clean as possible from start to finish. Any sustainable brand worth its salt will have this information readily available on its website. Seek it out and make sure their values align with yours before you click “add to cart.” A few keywords to look for are eco-friendly certifications or memberships like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Energy Star, and Fair Trade Federation. Brands with these designations are the gold standard for eco-friendly gifts and products.
Support Eco-Friendly Brands
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times: your dollar is your vote. When you shop from Fair Trade and sustainable businesses, you cast your vote for a more ethical fashion industry. You prove that it is possible – and important – for ethical companies to succeed in this cut-throat business. Many eco-friendly businesses are small teams who celebrate every purchase, every share on social media, and every positive review or comment. Your voice matters, and we deeply appreciate it when you use your platform to lift us up.
If you’re interested in learning more about ethical businesses, check out Sustainably Kind Living’s blog and Instagram. They’re friends of the Passion Lilie team and they do great work sharing tips for an eco-friendly lifestyle. During the first 12 days of December, Sustainably Kind Living is doing daily giveaways with their favorite sustainable brands. Go check it out and let us know if you win something so we can celebrate with you! You may recognize a familiar brand on the seventh day of giveaways ☺
Passion Lilie’s Top 3 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas
A few gifts in our collection stand out as holiday favorites year after year. The first is our handwoven throw blanket. It’s made from 100% cotton by our team of artisans in India, so it’s cozy, lightweight, and sustainable. Passion Lilie blankets are a favorite eco-friendly gift for a reason: in addition to being super cozy, they effortlessly complement any décor and add a pop of color and texture wherever they’re placed. Our throw blankets are currently on sale, so you can buy one for a friend and snag a second one for yourself for free! Use HolidayDecorSale2023 when you’re checking out for this buy one get one deal.
Another go-to eco-friendly gift is a Passion Lilie scarf. Each one is uniquely hand made from natural materials like modal or 100% cotton fabric. They’re versatile, adding flair to any outfit, and they’re the perfect size every time. When you choose a Passion Lilie scarf, you’re supporting the sustainability movement and empowering artisans around the world.
Finally, our men’s button-down shirts are the runaway favorite eco-friendly gift every holiday season. Comfortable and tailored to perfection, these shirts feature gentle tapering at the waist with a straight and narrow profile and a broader fit in the shoulders. People who own these shirts always come back for more. They can be thrown on easily for day-to-day wear, festivals, or special occasions. Made from 100% handwoven organic cotton, our shirts are breathable and stylish. They’re the perfect gift for people who care about fashion and the environment.
Wrap It Up Sustainably
Once you’ve chosen the perfect present, whether it’s a physical gift, a gift card, or a donation receipt, it’s time to work on the presentation. Most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable due to metallic designs and glitter, and around 2.3 billion pounds of it ends up in landfills during the holiday season. Instead of purchasing wrapping paper this season, try an alternative like wrapping your gifts in newspaper, old maps, or recycled wrapping paper. For a gift that keeps giving, grab a Fair Trade tote or scarf to serve as your eco-friendly gift wrap.
Embracing eco-friendly gift giving is not only about the gifts themselves but also about cultivating a mindset of sustainability and conscious consumerism. Let’s celebrate occasions in a way that spreads joy while also respecting and preserving our planet.
Sources:
https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/post-cyber-week-shopping-data/
]]>When the weather outside is frightful, it’s time to reach for the warm and cozy section of your wardrobe. If you’re in the market for a new piece of outerwear to keep you comfortable all winter, we recommend opting for organic cotton fleece coats. Organic cotton fleece coats are soft and warm, and they’re sustainably made to support local artisans and eco-systems. Read on for more reasons why we love organic cotton fleece coats and why we think you will, too.
They Offer Superior Comfort and Breathability
The most important quality for any piece of outerwear is how you feel in it. Warm, comfortable, and confident are a given for Passion Lilie’s organic cotton fleece coats. Organic cotton fleece fabric provides excellent insulation, trapping warm air close to your body while also allowing your skin to breathe. This combination of warmth and breathability ensures you’ll feel cozy but never stuffy in your coat. The natural properties of organic cotton fleece make it ideal for layering so that you can adapt to any weather conditions. When you check out our organic cotton fleece coats, be sure to look for other products made from the same material, like sweaters and dresses, that are perfect for your layered looks all winter.
They’re Sustainably Made and Eco-Friendly
Organic cotton fleece is made from cotton that is farmed without chemicals, fertilizer, or pesticides. Farmers use rotation techniques, helpful insects, and human labor to grow their crops instead of harmful chemicals – working with nature instead of against it. Cultivating organic cotton fleece significantly reduces levels of water pollution, supports soil biodiversity and helps mitigate the effects of climate change by helping to sequester carbon in the soil. When you choose to buy an organic cotton fleece coat, you’re supporting a more environmentally responsible fashion industry.
They Stand the Test of Time
Organic cotton fleece coats are not just pretty and warm, they’ll also stand the test of time. The high quality cotton used in Passion Lilie’s organic cotton fleece coats is less likely to wear out or develop piling over many seasons of use. Without harsh chemicals being used to grow the cotton, the fabric is softer, more durable, and holds its shape and color over time. This longevity not only saves you money in the long run but also reduces the amount of clothing waste in landfills. When your coat eventually does reach the end of its lifecycle, it’s less likely to contribute to landfill waste because it’s more biodegradable than conventionally grown cotton.
They’re Made Without Microplastics
Most fleece clothing is made with polyester, which releases microplastics into waterways when washed. These microplastics pollute the waterways, creating dangerous conditions for marine life and local ecosystems. Organic cotton fleece coats are made without microplastics, offering a more sustainable, eco-friendly option for your winter wardrobe. When you choose Passion Lilie’s organic cotton fleece coats, you’re opting for cozy comfort that makes a difference for marine animals and ecosystems around the world.
They’re Available in Many Styles
Even if you don’t choose Passion Lilie’s options, we hope you’ll consider other organic cotton fleece coats because they’re so much better for the environment than outerwear made from conventionally grown cotton and other fabrics. Passion Lilie offers organic cotton fleece coats in several styles, lengths, and designs, allowing you to express your personal style while staying cozy and eco-conscious.
They’re Ethically Made
Passion Lilie’s organic cotton fleece coats are hand screen printed or hand block printed with organic dyes by artisans in India. As a Fair Trade brand, we believe that communities grounded in collaboration, trust, support, and a sense of belonging make us stronger individually and as a whole. We're committed to transparency and fairness throughout every aspect of our supply chain. We believe in nurturing economic sustainability by collaborating with partners in India who pay fair and living wages, create a safe and healthy work environment, and invest in the overall wellbeing of the artisans. You can wear your coat in confidence knowing that the people who made it did so in safe, healthy, uplifting working conditions. When you shop with brands like Passion Lilie, you’re casting a vote for a more ethical and humane fashion industry.
Organic cotton fleece coats do so much more than offer warmth and style. They’re sustainable, eco-friendly, and gentle on your skin. They provide comfort, breathability, and durability. When you choose organic cotton fleece coats, you can enjoy cold days knowing you’ve made an ethical and sustainable clothing choice. So this season, snuggle up in the cozy comfort of your favorite winter coat with the knowledge that you’ve made a difference in creating a more humane, eco-friendly fashion industry for all.
The holidays are fast approaching and it’s time to start planning your giving strategy if you haven’t already. If gift planning stresses you out, take a deep breath and read on. We LOVE this season of giving, and we’re here to help make yours easy, special, and budget friendly.
Between inflation and the rising cost of living, our circles have been full of conversation about gift giving on a budget. The Passion Lilie team is here with some of our favorite tips for thoughtful gifts that won’t break the bank.
Before we dive in, a couple of hot takes from a self-proclaimed gift enthusiast. First: Gift giving should always come from your desire to bring joy to the recipient. When you give a gift, make sure it’s because you want to. Gift giving out of obligation serves no one and is a quick way to add up both financial and material waste. Second: “It’s the thought that counts” is a tired excuse for lazy gift givers. It’s the thought and the effort that count. If someone is important enough to make a spot on your gift list – especially when you’re gift giving on a budget – you can take the time and put in the effort to make sure it’s something they’ll appreciate and use.
The Planning Process
As a person who loves gifts and is always thinking about the next occasion for giving, there are a few things I’ve found helpful when it comes to gift giving on a budget.
The most important part of gift giving on a budget is pretty obvious: you have to start with a budget. Figure out exactly how much you can spend without having to pull from other essential categories. Your loved ones would never want you to go into debt or struggle to pay bills just so that you can give them a gift.
Before you start shopping, make a list of everyone on your gift list. Start with the most important people in your life, like family and friends. My list also includes my kids’ teachers and coaches, my husband’s coworkers, our neighbors, a beloved mail carrier, and our garbage collectors, but yours will be unique to you. Making this list will help figure out exactly how much you can spend on each gift.
I recommend buying gifts year-round, when you see sales or find something that makes you think of a loved one. Right after Christmas is a great time to shop, when so many stores have their best sales of the year. Keep a list of what you purchase in the notes app on your phone so that you don’t duplicate or overbuy. I find it helpful to write what I bought, who the gift is for, and where I’m storing it until it’s time to give. Speaking of sales, Passion Lilie has tons of great gifts and our biggest sale of the year will be on Black Friday. Sign up for our newsletter to get sale updates and plan accordingly!
Many years ago, someone in an online moms group recommended hoarding credit card points and cash back rewards throughout the year and using it for the holiday season. This has been incredibly helpful for our family. We set aside a little bit of each paycheck to save for gifts, but the extra chunk of cash back to use in November and December is a huge boon to our holiday budget.
Use The Skills You Have
With your budget and recipient list in place, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll give each person. Gift giving on a budget can be an extremely meaningful experience when you use your own skills and resources to make your presents.
For example, if you like to garden, you could grab terra cotta pots in bulk and pot herbs or flowers that you’re growing. Nothing growing this season? No problem. Just stop by Trader Joes or your local grocer and pick up some inexpensive herbs to plant. Personalize the gift by writing out some tips for keeping them alive. If you like to cook, perhaps prepare a meal that can be frozen and reheated on a night when your recipient needs a break and some good comfort food. Whether it’s embroidery, painting, jewelry making, baking, or any other hobby, you can turn it into something meaningful for your loved ones.
Put Some Thought Into It
The best gifts are given when you know your recipient well and listen to what they care about. It doesn’t have to be about the most expensive gift, just something that’s thoughtful and will be appreciated by the recipient. Often, an innocuous comment can lead to the best gifts of all. For the friend who loves coffee, pick up a bag of yummy local beans. If you have a book lover in your circle, check out their Goodreads account and choose a book in their favorite genre, or give them a favorite of yours. The most important thing is to think about what your recipient likes and go from there.
Give Homemade Gifts & Edible Treats
Homemade gifts and edible treats are great options for gift giving on a budget because:
you can buy ingredients in bulk;
they are typically more sustainable and produce less waste;
they show that you invested your time and effort into your gift; and
your recipients will love them!
Each neighbor on our street has a signature holiday treat to give when December rolls around. My family makes rocky mountain avalanche bars; others make peppermint bark, ugly sweater cookies, fudge, and so much more. The options are endless. Sweet treats make delicious gifts that are fun to make and fun to give (and receive)!
Special flavored jams and butters also make lovely gifts. With a night in the kitchen, some pretty glass jars, labels, and ribbon, you can make a big batch of Christmas gifts all at once. One close friend makes a different jam flavor every Christmas, and everyone in our group looks forward to finding out what the flavor of the year will turn out to be. Find something simple, thoughtful, and budget-friendly and make your own tradition!
Bath products are another easy and inexpensive homemade gift idea. With a few simple ingredients like sugar, olive oil, and essential oils, you can make luxurious sugar scrubs for the people on your list. Don’t worry about buying fancy ingredients, just buy in bulk and then portion the mixture into small jars to give as gifts.
If sweets and bath goods aren’t your thing, a gift of soup is basically a warm hug in a jar. This is another bulk ingredient gift – just grab some bigger jars and a tried-and-true recipe. Your friends will love having something they can turn to on a cold winter day when they don’t feel like cooking.
Give Your Time
Sometimes gift giving on a budget means no budget at all, and that’s ok too – you still have plenty to give! Knowing your recipient is, as always, the most important factor when giving the gift of your time. Does your loved one hate packing up Christmas decorations? Desperately need someone to clean their car? Long for a kid-free night out? The options are limitless. Think of what your people need and how you can help. Make a gift card with a specific gift of your time, like babysitting, making dinner, hosting a movie night, or something you can do to bring joy or take something off their plate for them. For people who value quality time or acts of service above anything else, this could prove to be the best gift of all!
Change the Way You Give
If you have a group of friends or family who give to one another, consider changing up the strategy this year. A Secret Santa exchange allows you to focus on one individual gift rather than dividing your resources between a bigger group. Hosting a Dirty Santa or Favorite Things party is another way to spend less money while still celebrating the season with your loved ones. By drawing names or exchanging favorite things, the focus of giving shifts from quantity to quality, allowing each participant to invest more effort into a single, meaningful gift. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the things that truly matter and can relieve financial stress will still maintaining the spirit of giving and receiving.
Use Browser Extensions for Online Shopping
If you’re not using browser extensions like Honey and Rakuten when you’re gift shopping online, you’re basically giving money away. These handy tools help you find the best deals and discounts available. They automatically search for and apply coupon codes at checkout, ensuring that you get the lowest possible price on your purchases. Additionally, many browser extensions offer cash back rewards, allowing you to earn a percentage of your spending back as a rebate. So, whether you're gift giving on a budget, shopping for daily essentials, or treating yourself to something special, these extensions can make sure you get the most value for your money, all with just a simple click.
Give to Charity in Their Name
One of my go-to gifts for hard-to-shop-for people on my list is a charitable gift in their name. Having worked in non-profits nearly a decade, I know that every dollar raised is deeply valuable. Everyone is passionate about something – find out what matters to your person and allocate your budgeted amount to a charity that aligns with their values. The organization should send your recipient a note recognizing them for the gift made in their honor. Not only is this a meaningful gesture, but it may also have tax benefits if you itemize your deductions.
Gift giving on a budget doesn’t have to be stressful. As you can see, there are so many ways to make or buy meaningful gifts for the people you love without breaking the bank. Build your budget and your list, take your time, and think carefully about the best way to give this season. When the holidays are over, start planning for next year so that you can budget throughout the year rather than squeezing every drop out of the last two months. By following these tips and getting creative, you can navigate the art of gift giving on a budget with confidence and joy.
Let us know in the comments if you have any tips for gift giving on a budget!
In honor of Fair Trade Month, the Passion Lilie team wanted to talk about two of our favorite topics – sustainability and Fair Trade practices – and how they overlap. These two movements have been steadily gaining momentum, creating more ethical and eco-friendly options for consumers around the world. In general, most people equate sustainability with environmental stewardship and Fair Trade practices with prioritizing people. While the two are not synonymous, there’s often a natural crossover (as with Passion Lilie products, for example). In this blog post, we’ll explore the overlap between sustainability and Fair Trade practices and how they are creating a brighter, more equitable future for all.
United by Values and Principles:
Sustainability and fair trade practices share a common goal of making the world a better place, and there are three major ways they do so together:
1. Environmental Stewardship: Sustainable products are known for their eco-friendly production. They’re usually made from organic materials grown without pesticides and toxic chemicals. Sustainability is a lifestyle choice that aims to care for earth’s resources and preserve them for future generations.2. Social Justice: The World Fair Trade Organization defines fair trade as “a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers.” By ensuring workers are paid fairly to labor in safe environments, the Fair Trade movement contributes to the overall sustainability of a supply chain.
A sustainable supply chain is one that values its workers and the communities impacted by the production process. It supports the community through education, healthcare, and social programs. Fair Trade practices often elevate marginalized groups like women and indigenous people, providing them with tools and training to achieve better jobs. Including marginalized people in the workforce enables the continuity of ancient traditions and crafts, increases a society’s economic value, and leads to more resilient communities. Sustainability and Fair Trade practices strengthen local communities and contribute to social equity and inclusion.
Fair Trade practices create sustainable communities by upholding the rights of workers, including safe working conditions and fair pay. The movement often provides funds for projects that uplift the community like schools, healthcare facilities, and infrastructure development. These initiatives help communities plan for the future and withstand economic challenges.
3. Transparency & Accountability: Accountability is a key component of both sustainability and Fair Trade practices because of the high standards set by both movements. Sustainable and fair trade businesses often disclose their sourcing and production practices, allowing consumers to make informed choices and hold companies to high ethical standards.
Both movements prioritize educating consumers about the importance of ethical consumption and how to make the best choices when shopping. Informed consumers know to shop brands whose products are traceable from the beginning of the supply chain to the end.
Fair Trade practices also serve as a tool for raising awareness about global issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Educated consumers are more likely to make sustainable choices, extending the reach of Fair Trade principles.
Passion Lilie clothing is a perfect example of how sustainability and Fair Trade practices overlap. As a member of the Fair Trade Federation, we prioritize the well-being of the artisans who make our clothing. We work with five different partner groups in India that align with our ethics and sustainability goals. Our partners nurture a positive and supportive environment, so each artisan feels valued and respected.
We exclusively use natural materials like organic cotton, because sustainably sourced materials protect the farmers who grow them as well as the local wildlife and ecosystems that are directly connected to the crops. Our fabrics are designed using hand block printing or ikat weaving, which does not require electricity or produce pollution. The lack of automation presents weavers with more opportunities to reduce waste and engage in sustainable practices. The artisans use organic, azo-free, or natural dyes which protects them from harmful chemicals and keeps local waterways free of toxins.
Sustainability and Fair Trade practices go hand in hand by addressing economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainability. They promote fair wages, social equity, responsible production methods, and environmental stewardship, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world for producers, consumers, and the planet as a whole.
Sources:
https://www.unep.org/regions/north-america/regional-initiatives/promoting-sustainable-lifestyles
]]>One of the scariest things about Halloween is the amount of waste created for a single day. The National Retail Federation’s annual Halloween consumer survey revealed that total Halloween spending in 2023 is expected to reach a record $12.2 billion, exceeding last year’s record of $10.6 billion.
According to the data, consumers are expected to spend an unprecedented $108.24 per person, and a record 73% of consumers plan to celebrate Halloween this year, up from 69% last year and 68% before the pandemic. It’s clear people are ready to have some spooky fun! While we think this is great news – we love any reason to get together – the amount of waste created for this single holiday is downright frightening.
Between single use costumes, candy wrappers, and throw away decorations, we’re spending crazy amounts of money just for most of our purchases to end up in a landfill days later. Still, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the holiday, and we have a few tips to make it a little bit easier on your wallet and the planet. Read on for Passion Lilie’s advice for an eco-friendly Halloween!
Eco-Friendly Halloween & Fall Decorations:
We get it – the first hint of cooler air has you ready to deck the halls with seasonal décor. Before you head to a big chain store and pick up mass-produced pumpkins, bats and skeletons, we have a few alternative ideas. For more eco-friendly Halloween decorations, we recommend shopping at a local farm. You can pick locally grown pumpkins, eschewing the carbon-fueled supply chain that brings pumpkins to big grocery store chains. You may even be able to purchase hay bales from the farmers to add to your autumnal setup.
To put your pumpkins to even better use, we suggest turning them into Jack-O-Lanterns and using the insides for yummy seasonal snacks. Food52 has a great list of things to do with your pumpkin guts, including our favorite idea – pumpkin cheesecake bars! Making the most of your decorations and reducing food waste in the process is a great step toward an eco-friendly Halloween.
One of our favorite fall activities is to take a walk and search for colored leaves to make a garland. If you have kids in your life, this activity is sure to be a hit! Collect leaves of all colors and shapes. When you bring them in, rinse each leaf and let them dry. Coat them with ModPodge to preserve the color and prevent them from drying up. When the leaves are ready, you can grab a strand of twine and tie them around the leaf stems at regular intervals. Voila! A cozy and cheerful homemade decoration to brighten any space in your house.
When the holiday is over and you’re ready to change your holiday aesthetic, we encourage finding an alternative to trashing the pumpkins. Pumpkins that head to landfills produce methane gas – a greenhouse gas that warms the earth even faster than carbon dioxide. For an eco-friendly solution, offer your pumpkins to local farms or zoos, where they can be used to feed animals. Pumpkins are also compostable – they’re made of almost 90% water, so they add moisture and nutrients to help other plants grow. Try smashing them into smaller pieces and using them as mulch in your garden for healthier soil and plants!
Eco-Friendly Halloween Costumes:
When it comes to Halloween waste, costumes are a huge culprit for spending and disposal. Many costumes are made by fast fashion companies using cheap materials and poor labor standards. They last one night before ending up in the landfill. Our culture of consumption encourages buying cheap new costumes every year, but we can reject that notion in favor of an eco-friendly Halloween.
Rather than buying new this year, try having a costume swap with a group of friends! See what costumes can be reused or upcycled. This could be a fun annual event to add to your Halloween festivities: turn on some music, have a costume fashion show, and have some eco-friendly Halloween treats!
Another great costume resource is your local Buy Nothing Group on Facebook. You can offer up costumes that are taking up closet space and ask if anyone has a costume in your size. The same is true for your local town or neighborhood groups. This is an excellent way to save money and reduce waste over the holidays.
If you’re set on a specific costume, secondhand shopping may not be fruitful for you – and that’s ok too! A Hulk-obsessed three-year-old is not going to settle for dressing up as Iron Man, and that’s a fact. But there are ways to find eco-friendly Halloween costumes. We suggest checking Etsy for handmade, sustainable costumes, or crafting your own out of materials in your home!
As with any clothing purchase, we always recommend you do some investigating around the brand you’re purchasing. Are they Fair Trade? Can you make sure the garment was made by someone being paid fairly in a safe work environment? Is the costume made of natural materials that won’t harm the environment? Make sure your values align with those of the costume brand before you tap that “complete purchase” button.
Eco-Friendly Halloween Celebrations
From the treats you offer to the container you collect them in, there are countless little decisions that can make your Halloween a little greener. While it may be easier and cheaper to grab a gigantic bag of candy from the grocery store, consider the packaging and production that goes into making it. Big corporations overproduce Halloween candy, causing it to go on sale and end up – you guessed it – in a landfill. This Halloween, seek out sustainable treats to give to your trick-or-treaters. Look for labels like Fair Trade, Non-GMO, and Organic. Packaging should be compostable or recyclable, and the people who made the treats should be treated fairly.
Check out shops like The Natural Candy Store or Equal Exchange to purchase Fair Trade candy for your Trick or Treaters. Even big stores like Target are coming around, and you can find brands like YumEarth and MadeGood for eco-friendly Halloween treats there, too.
If you’re interested in handing out something other than candy, we have ideas for that, too! We know you want something that’s allergen-free and inclusive, but also not made of plastic that will end up as even more waste. School supplies like pencils and erasers are always a big hit. They’re fun AND useful! You may be surprised how much kids like getting small fruits like apples or Cuties, too. They’re unexpected and delicious treats among the massive amounts of packaged candy trick-or-treaters will collect. Temporary tattoos come with a small amount of waste, but they’re typically made with vegetable dyes that are safe for skin and generally more eco-friendly than other Halloween treats.
Your little trick-or-treaters will need something to carry all their loot from house to house. While it’s so tempting to grab a new bucket from the dollar aisle, there’s definitely an eco-friendlier option. Grab a reusable tote or even a pillowcase instead of purchasing something new. The kids won’t care what it is, as long as it can hold their candy! There’s no need to purchase another bucket that will end up taking space in the attic or in the trash on Nov. 1.
This Halloween, let's embrace the spirit of sustainability along with the spooky fun. By making thoughtful choices in costumes, decorations, treats, and waste disposal, you can have an eco-friendly Halloween that's not only good for the planet but also fun for everyone who wants to celebrate.
Sources:
https://nrf.com/blog/5-things-know-about-how-consumers-are-shopping-halloween
https://food52.com/blog/11634-how-to-use-the-pulp-of-a-pumpkin
In a world of fast fashion and ever-changing trends, it’s time to slow down and rethink our approach to clothing. Imagine a closet filled with pieces that not only make you look good, but also make you feel good about your choices. Enter organic cotton clothing – the fashion-forward, eco-conscious option that more and more consumers are gravitating toward.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the cost and effort to purchase organic cotton garments instead of clothes made from conventional cotton, we’re here to help. All you have to do is answer two easy questions:
If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, organic cotton is the fiber for you! Organic cotton is simply cotton that is farmed without chemicals, fertilizer, or pesticides. That’s it! Farmers use rotation techniques, helpful insects, and human labor to grow their crops instead of harmful chemicals – working with nature instead of against it.
Conventional cotton is known as “the world’s dirtiest crop” because it uses more pesticides than anything else grown around the world. GMO cotton varieties are also commonly used in conventional cotton farming. These chemicals are used to control pests and boost crop yields but can have adverse environmental and health impacts.
Every year, about 200,000 people die from pesticide poisoning, and far more farmers suffer from chronic illnesses like cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, hormone disruption and developmental disorders. Most of these farmers live in poverty and have no choice but to accept low paying jobs like applying toxic chemicals to cotton crops. More often than not, the farmers are illiterate or unable to read toxicity warnings on the packaging because they’re printed in a foreign language. They’re coerced into using dangerous products without the means to make an informed decision.
Organic cotton farming prioritizes the farmers’ health by eliminating exposure to harmful chemicals and fostering social, economic, and environmental benefits that contribute to the well-being of their communities. Because organic cotton farming requires more labor-intensive practices than conventional farming, there’s an increased demand for workers. This creates job opportunities within the community, providing employment for local residents – jobs that are especially valuable in rural areas where opportunities are scarce.
Farming organic cotton involves knowledge sharing within the community. Experienced organic farmers may offer training and mentorship to new farmers, helping to build local expertise and skills. Often, these farming practices align with traditional and culturally significant agricultural methods. This can help preserve the cultural heritage of rural communities and promotes a sense of pride and identity among community members.
Another negative effect of using toxic chemicals to farm cotton is excessive water usage and pollution. Conventional cotton typically uses irrigation from surface or ground water, while organic cotton is rainfed. Organic cotton farming practices promote healthier soil that retains moisture more effectively, reducing the need for excessive irrigation. Irrigation places stress on the local ecosystem, diverting water away from natural rivers and lakes to be used on the cotton crops instead. Water scarcity is becoming an increasingly dangerous issue as climate temperatures continue to rise, and conventional cotton farming is exacerbating the problem.
Community water sources are also threatened by the chemicals washed away from conventional cotton. Drinking water and food production are directly impacted by the toxic chemicals that cannot be broken down or metabolized and therefore remain in water and soil for many years. Growing organic cotton instead of conventional cotton reduces levels of water pollution by 91%, according to Water Footprint. Organic cotton supports soil biodiversity and helps mitigate the effects of climate change by preventing harmful chemicals from polluting water sources and other habitats.
Organic farming practices like crop rotation and the use of cover crops help sequester carbon in the soil. This can also contribute to mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon footprint associated with cotton production.
Organic cotton garments are safer for you, the consumer, because they’re processed without toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, and softening agents that would transfer to you in trace amounts with each wear. With organic cotton, you won’t have toxins embedded in the fibers of your clothes – it’s a no brainer for shoppers with allergies or sensitive skin.
Additionally, organic cotton is often associated with higher quality clothing. Without harsh chemicals being used to grow the cotton, the fabric is softer, more durable, and holds its shape and color over time. When you buy Passion Lilie organic cotton clothing, you can be sure your clothes will stand the test of time. When organic cotton clothing eventually does reach the end of its lifecycle, it’s less likely to contribute to landfill waste because it’s more biodegradable than conventionally grown cotton.
You can make a true difference for farmers, their families, and our global environment through your purchasing power. When you’re shopping, be on the lookout for the logos of accrediting bodies like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Organic Content Standards (OCS) or Soil Association. These organizations ensure your products have met the highest standards of organic production throughout the supply chain from farm to finish.
When you support brands that invest in organic cotton, you’re telling the farmers that their lives and their families matter. Choosing organic cotton supports farmers who are committed to sustainable and ethical farming practices. It encourages the adoption of eco-friendly methods that protect the planet and promote long-term sustainability. Your purchase of organic cotton clothing demonstrates that brands can succeed by investing in small, sustainable, chemical free farms, and that we’re willing to pay a little extra for the protection they offer people, animals, and the planet.
Choosing organic cotton is a conscious and responsible decision that benefits both the environment and human health. By opting for organic cotton clothing, you are supporting sustainable farming practices, reducing the use of harmful chemicals, and promoting a healthier planet. You’re not just buying clothing; you’re investing in a better future for farming communities around the world. So, the next time you shop for clothing, consider the natural choice: organic cotton. Your wardrobe will thank you, and so will the planet.
Sources:
https://catalogue.unccd.int/1352_thirsty-for-fashion-soil-association-report.pdf
https://www.pan-uk.org/cotton/
https://www.wri.org/insights/apparel-industrys-environmental-impact-6-graphics
This fall, Passion Lilie is honored to be featured in a stunning, thoughtful exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). From July 21 – November 26, museum visitors can stroll through galleries of garments ranging from an 1860s ball gown to bespoke “Texas” suits to a bonnet made of pearl tipped corsage pins.
The exhibit is beautiful and inspirational – constantly challenging visitors to rethink what they expect and know. In subtle ways, the exhibit’s curator Michelle Finamore, confronts our ideas about what American fashion means to each of us. Like America itself, the exhibit is multifaceted and rich in diversity.
Stepping inside Fashioning America, visitors will notice that pieces are grouped thematically, rather than chronologically, in a slow progression from Grit to Glamour. The exhibit evolves from themes like denim, street wear, and ready-to-wear to pop art, bridal, and red carpet looks. Each group of garments tells the story of designers who challenged the fashion systems of their generation.
According to Finamore, Fashioning America is part of her mission to “re-look at American fashion with a more inclusive lens, rethink what the canon is, disrupt the narrative a bit, [and ask] who has been left out of the story.” Throughout the collection, visitors will see how people who are typically pushed to the margins of society have contributed to American fashion. Finmore focuses on amplifying the work of women, immigrants, and designers of color, showing how they have changed the industry.
Fashioning America arrived at an interesting time in American culture. As social justice movements gain traction across the country, the exhibit has an opportunity to provide a platform for and stretch the boundaries of inclusive design. Fashioning America acknowledges the grave human cost of the fashion industry, noting that “the beautiful clothing in this gallery and the foundations of modern US wealth are rooted in tragic human enslavement and the 19th-century American cotton economy.” Along with many of the designers featured in the exhibit, Passion Lilie is committed to challenging the global fashion industry by rejecting unsuitable working environments and working conditions as the norm. To us, social justice means advocating for the hidden labor force who are bearing the heavy weight of the global fashion industry.
Each designer featured in Fashioning America has challenged the fashion industry in some way, leading to growth and inclusivity. Passion Lilie is in excellent company among artists questioning sustainability, representation, and social commentary. While many pieces of the exhibit resonated with the Passion Lilie team, Diane von Furstenburg’s wrap dress hit especially close to home. The wrap dress is one of Passion Lilie’s signature silhouettes, and the original prototype was introduced by Diane Von Furstenburg in 1971. The daughter of a Nazi death camp survivor, her mission was to empower women through fashion and “designed dresses that represented freedom, the burgeoning feminist movement, and independence.”
Like DVF, Passion Lilie dresses are made to empower the wearer through designs that are stylish, comfortable, and functional. Our wrap dresses are hand-made and tailored to flatter all bodies. They’re designed to inspire confidence in all stages of life, and they’re versatile for wearing through pregnancy, nursing, and the myriad changes our bodies experience. Passion Lilie wrap dresses are made for work and play, enabling women to feel good about themselves no matter what they’re doing.
Throughout Fashioning America, featured designers challenge the notion of who gets to tell stories on American runways and in stores. Kerby Jean-Raymond is a Black designer who confronts this issue through his work. The exhibit features Jean-Raymond’s The Typewriter, a fascinating garment created for Pyer Moss’ “Wat U Iz” collection. The collection spotlights Black inventors including Christopher Latham Sholes, who co-invented the typewriter. Jean-Raymond’s collection redefines culture and storytelling through fashion, providing a platform to celebrate Black creators.
In the center of Fashioning America stands a Seer Bonnet created by Angela Ellsworth. The sculpture is one of an ongoing series of pioneer bonnets made of thousands of steel, pearl-tipped corsage pins. The bonnets are a nod to her Morman heritage and a representation of a community of women whose lives were spent in domestic cruelty and submission. These bonnets, with their iridescent exteriors and piercing insides, give a voice to women who weren’t permitted to use theirs, and challenge the notion that their stories aren’t worthy to be told.
Passion Lilie is proud to be recognized among the storytellers, the narrative-challengers, and the prolific designers represented in Fashioning America. The exhibit spotlights Passion Lilie for our global perspective and the way we challenge the fashion industry.
Passion Lilie clothing proves that it’s possible for beautiful clothes to be sustainable and affordable. Our supply chain is clean, our artisans are paid fairly and work in safe environments, and our production practices – from farm to store – are completely transparent. In 2023, American fashion is dominated by cheap clothing made in questionable environments. Passion Lilie challenges consumers to question everything when they shop for clothes. We don’t have to accept fast fashion as the norm, and Passion Lilie provides the ethical, eco-friendly alternative.
We hope that our activism will move the needle in American fashion, pushing the industry to achieve incremental changes in sustainability and social responsibility. In the meantime, we’ll keep doing what we do best – making beautiful clothes you can feel good about.
In a country that seems more divided by the day, fashion – this exhibit in particular – seeks to unite us through art and design. Fashioning America shows us the best of the fashion industry. By the end, visitors can leave feeling encouraged about an industry that’s being pushed toward inclusivity, sustainability, and social justice. If you’re in New Orleans or planning a visit, we hope you’ll visit and let us know what you think!
]]>Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with the shopping app Temu. From social networks to IRL gatherings, everyone’s talking about the popular app. Temu offers extremely low prices for goods ranging from socks to power tools and guitars and everything in between. With inflation and the rising costs of everything, it’s no wonder that the cheap shopping app has seen such a meteoric rise.
As so many opinions and questions continue to circulate, we decided to dive in. The three main questions we’re hearing are:
We’ll preface this deep dive with a general rule of thumb: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Now onto the nitty gritty:
Temu (pronounced tee-moo) is a shopping app owned by a company called PDD Holdings. It’s an online marketplace, much like Amazon, and doesn’t manufacture its own products. Temu was founded in September 2022 and rapidly overtook Walmart and Amazon to become the most downloaded app in the Apple App Store. At the time this blog is being posted, Temu is still #1 in the Apple App Store.
Temu is owned by PDD Holdings, the parent company to Pinduoduo - China’s second most popular e-commerce app. Temu claims to be based in Boston, Mass, and in fact they do own a warehouse there, but all business operations are conducted from China. As of May 2023, PDD Holdings moved their headquarters from Shanghai to Dublin in an attempt to boost its international presence. There’s nothing inherently sketchy about the move; in fact, plenty of technology companies relocate to Ireland for their low corporate tax (12.5%) and European Union membership. However, we believe it’s important to note how Temu markets itself and pay attention to little red flags. Boston-based? Not exactly.
Speaking of marketing, Temu is pretty skilled in that area. From a Super Bowl ad to network marketing (not unlike MLMs) to games that trigger our brain’s reward center, Temu’s target audience is everyone, and they’re finding clever ways to reach us. Temu has a “growth at all costs” strategy. They incentivize customers by rewarding them for signing up their friends, earning discounts and free items. Like many companies, they use an algorithm to target consumers with specific items tailored to their shopping habits. If the phrase “growth at all costs” doesn’t send your red flag right up the pole, we’re not sure what will. This leads us to question two:
In many ways, yes. Despite some negative online reviews, most consumers do receive the products they order without issues. At such low prices, you can expect low quality goods, and customers seem to understand that. Temu is an actual marketplace that delivers what it says it will, and it’s backed by trusted, secure payment methods like Apple Pay, PayPal, and more.
You can find brands you know and trust on Temu, too. Popular companies like Lenovo Audio and Novo makeup sell their products on the app, boasting 4.8- and 4.9-star ratings, respectively. Reputable brands like these lend Temu legitimacy by partnering with the marketplace. As long as you read the product description (especially the product dimensions) and are cool with the return policy, you likely won’t be disappointed.
By now you’re probably wondering how Temu is able to sell products at such a low cost. Temu’s slogan, “team up, price down” describes their economies of scale strategy. If more people buy a product, manufacturers can produce and sell it at a lower cost. Manufacturers can capitalize on the massive reach of the platform, selling to the millions of users there and cutting the cost of wholesalers.
As more sellers enter the Temu marketplace, they’re forced to lower prices to compete and capture the consumer demand. The key to the app’s success is that Temu is able to capitalize on the giant network of its parent company, PDD Holdings, lowering their supplier prices. Temu claims that its low prices are a result of a "deep network of merchants, logistic partners," and the parent company's "established ecosystem built over the years." Temu currently operates at a loss; their strategy is to maximize their market share now and reap the rewards in the future.
As a side note, Temu’s strategies are likely to have an impact on the US economy: when more people turn to the ridiculously low prices Temu offers, domestic companies have to lower their prices to remain competitive. This will ultimately push more manufacturing jobs outside of the US.
Based on everything we know, we can conclude that Temu is indeed a legitimate marketplace for discount goods. But that leads us to our final question:
We wouldn’t shop there, and we’ll tell you why. Are you familiar with the ongoing Uyghur genocide in China’s Xinjiang region? This area is home to about eleven million Uyghur people – a mostly Muslim, Turkic-speaking ethnic group – who have endured torture, cruelty, and inhuman conditions at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party since 2014.
The abuse intensified in 2017 when the Chinese government arbitrarily detained more than one million Muslims in reeducation camps. According to a June 2023 committee report from the House of Representatives, “The Committee received first-hand witness testimony and expert reports about the CCP’s atrocities, which include imprisonment, torture, rape, forced sterilization, and the widespread exploitation of the Uyghur people in forced labor.” Goods made by these enslaved laborers are sold all over the world, and the committee is confident that Temu is a supplier. The United States has banned imports from the Xinjiang region through the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), but the legislation isn’t perfect.
Temu, SheIn and similar platforms use a loophole in the American tax code that allows goods to come into America without tariffs as long as the items cost less than $800 and are addressed to an individual.
So, what does this mean? Temu and Shein are responsible for 30% of all packages shipped to the US daily under the de minimis provision. These packages are exempt from screening for Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), and Temu “denies responsibility for ensuring that its 80,000, mostly China-based sellers do not sell products produced with forced labor.”
Temu has no system for auditing its sellers to verify that their products are not made by forced labor. The company also allows products from Xinjiang – the location of the ongoing genocide – to be sold on its platform. Our takeaway here, and the biggest red flag of all, is that when you order from Temu, you face an extremely high risk of purchasing from and enabling a system of abuse and slave labor. For this reason alone, shopping Temu is a hard no for the Passion Lilie team.
Credit: AFP via Getty Images
A second major reason we choose not to shop Temu is that overconsumption is never ethical. With the gamification of shopping and a powerful algorithm keeping consumers plugged in, Temu has captured a huge share of the market. Their cheaply made products are not built to last – often ending up in a landfill in the form of a return or as quickly damaged, discarded junk.
The speed and demand of brands like Temu and Shein lead to cut corners and no regard for global ecosystems. Overproduction and overconsumption are stripping the earth of natural resources, destroying animal habitats, and contaminating water sources. Overconsumption is directly related to high levels of pollution and toxic gases that are rapidly exacerbating global warming.
Passion Lilie advocates for ethical consumption by getting as much use out of the things we have before we purchase something new. We try to take excellent care of our clothes, repair them when they break or tear, and recycle them into something new when we can no longer use them for their original purpose.
When we do need to buy something new, we know that the best way to shop ethically is to buy from companies whose supply chains we can trust to be sustainable and humanitarian. We would never knowingly risk the life or wellbeing of another human for our clothes or goods. It’s just not worth it.
Before you download the Temu app or start filling your Shein cart, we hope you’ll consider the impact your shopping can have. Look for companies that tell you exactly where their products are made, and by whom.
Here at Passion Lilie, we want to share our story with the world. We want you to know who makes your clothes. We want you to know about the environments in which they work and how we support their craft. On our website, you can easily find out about how we choose our partner groups, information about their opportunities for growth, pay and benefits. If you want to know more about the fabric your garments are made of, we’ve got that too! You can learn how fabric is sourced from farm to loom, you can read about our eco-friendly dying process, and even our conscious transportation methods. We hope you’ll seek out this information from ALL the brands you support. Make sure their values align with yours before you hit “complete purchase” or start playing games on the Temu app.
Sources:
Passion Lilie’s fall collection makes its debut this week and we know you’re going to love it! With colors and styles that are perfect for all of your autumnal fun, the fall collection has everything you need to dress for the seasons ahead. Here in New Orleans, our fall weather will be balmy – but we’ve got layering pieces for folks in cooler climates or for your leaf-peeping travels! Warm hues, long sleeves, and heavier fabrics will carry you through the transitional months and into the most festive time of year.
As we were admiring the beautiful, handmade pieces from the fall collection in Passion Lilie’s French Quarter shop, we noticed how well our partner Beatrix Bell’s jewelry coordinated with them. We pulled a few of our favorite pieces from the fall collection and paired them with Bea’s gorgeous jewels for some outfit inspiration!
Blue, white, and Kyanite? Yes, please! The Adonis Skirt is the perfect transitional piece. Wear it with sandals while it’s still warm outside, and add a cardigan when cooler weather creeps in. Beatrix’s Kyanite earrings complete the outfit with deep blue gems that pull the look together.
The Adonis Skirt has an elastic waist in the back, buttons down the front, and of course, it has pockets! The earrings feature hammered gold-filled linear shapes for a modern and geometric look. Together, classic and modern combine for a look you’ll love for seasons to come!
Whether you’re curating a capsule wardrobe or just need a good everyday basic, our Alma Turtleneck is the way to go. Turtlenecks are classic and flattering on every figure, and the geometric pattern elevates the style. Beatrix’s minimalist square earrings coordinate effortlessly with lightweight, geometric shapes. They’re subtle – delicately complementing your turtleneck’s hand screen printed design.
If you’re planning a trip to the pumpkin patch, a Thanksgiving gathering, or stopping for a pumpkin spice latte, the Autumn Glaze dress is an absolute must-have. A tie at the waist cinches the dress for a flawless fit, and side pockets add the finishing touch. This dress would make an excellent choice for fall family photos – with its navy and white accents, you can easily coordinate the whole family around your dress.
We paired this dress with a few of Bea’s chain layering necklaces. The Curved Bar Necklace can be worn alone or with others; we love the look of three different shaped chains layered together. If you’re in New Orleans, we recommend stopping by the Passion Lilie Beatrix Bell storefront to choose your favorite layering necklaces – the fine details are even prettier in person. While you’re there, you can be sure to check out the fall collection!
Bea’s Vivi Necklace is made with ruby jade, freshwater pearls, and Czech glass beads. The berry-colored beads highlight the beautiful handwoven design in this royal blue button dress from our fall collection. The dress is made from soft, handwoven cotton and it has a boxy fit with pockets. You can dress it up with heels or go for a casual look with boots or flats. Depending on the weather, add a sunhat or a cardigan and you’ll be ready for anything.
The Vivi Necklace is made with the same rich jewel tones as our Berry Button Dress. This ensemble is a warm and colorful look that can work for special events or for when you want to feel put together as you run errands around town.
This dress is so beautiful and versatile, we couldn’t choose just one piece of jewelry to go with it. Our fall collection was inspired by seasonal foliage and the celestial universe, and our Enchanted Organic Dress may be the purest manifestation of those ideas. The rich emerald and white design of this dress recalls festive evergreens and snow-covered boughs. We paired it with Beatrix’s Balance Pearl Necklace for a simple yet stunning combination that would be ideal for holiday gatherings.
Bea’s Roman Glass collection looks like it was made for this dress! This jewelry piece includes glass discovered at archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, which likely comprised vases or jugs. The glass dates to 1st century BCE, and over the centuries, it has developed a distinct texture and patina. The Roman Glass bracelet is sure to garner compliments and questions, especially when you pair it with our Enchanted dress.
The fall collection’s Selene Organic Blazer will keep you warm and toasty during colder months. This organic fleece piece is comfy enough for lounging but structured enough for the office. It serves as cozy outerwear for a cool day in the south, and it layers well under heavier coats in colder climates. We love the blazer with an edgy and feminine statement necklace that falls just above the top button. Beatrix’s Biwa Pearl Necklace is made with an antique gold chain and a fan of genuine Japanese Biwa stick pearls.
Our handwoven ikat pants are sure to be a favorite from the fall collection. The subtle design elevates them from basic to chic, and they can be paired with any of your favorite tops. With an elastic waistband in the back, side pockets and tailoring that accentuates all bodies, you'll want to wear them all day, every day. We love these pants with a white top – a button-down or basic tee – and a statement necklace. With a black and white palette, Bea’s collection of jewels is your oyster. We love the Celestial Necklace because of its synchronicity with our celestial universe theme, its beautiful amethyst gemstones, and the fun, chunky style.
You’ll reach for our Scarlet Dress all fall and winter long! With its winter floral block print design, this dress is as cute as it is cozy. Perfect for work and all of your seasonal festivities, this silhouette has the feel of a t-shirt but is expertly tailored for a super flattering fit.
Bea’s Organic Hoop Earrings look like they were made for this dress. The coin pearl coordinates perfectly with the dress’ floral print and adds the just the right amount of flair to the ensemble. Layering necklaces are the ideal accessories for this neckline – drawing attention without overwhelming the unique style.
The Stella Wrap Dress is the Passion Lilie wrap dress you know and love in a charming celestial design! Like Bea’s Celeste Necklace, there’s so much movement and whimsy in this fall collection staple. The white block print on black organic jersey cotton is a combination so timeless you’ll reach for it again and again. We love the Celeste necklace for a pop of color and shapes that harmonize with the dress’ design. Together, the dress and the necklace create a sense of flow and natural beauty.
These are just a few of our favorites from the fall collection – we hope you’ll check out all of the beautiful pieces we created for this season! Let us know which ones you love and what jewels you choose to pair with your Passion Lilie outfits!
Passion Lilie was born of a conviction that sustainable fashion should be attainable for all bodies, styles, and budgets. We emphatically believe that sustainable fashion is the answer to brands like H&M, Zara, and Gap that are taking a massive toll on our environment. Sure, their clothes are trendy and affordable, but someone is absorbing that cost so that we don’t have to. Somewhere in a dangerous factory (maybe even right here in our own country) a human being is sewing their thousandth garment of the day, earning barely enough to eat. Toxic chemicals are being dumped into waterways around the world, and landfills are overflowing with cheap, plastic-laden clothes.
It doesn’t have to be like this. We can’t rely on legislators to regulate the global fashion industry, but we can do our part to support brands that treat workers ethically and take care of the environment. Money talks, and brands listen when their consumers speak with their wallets. If you feel overwhelmed by sustainable men’s fashion, we’re here to take the guesswork out of it for you. Read on for some of our favorite sustainable brands and why we love them.
Cariuma is a Brazilian sneaker brand that encourages embracing personal style over current trends. When you buy what you like, you buy fewer things – getting more wear out of your clothes while producing less waste. Cariuma sneakers are made from high quality, ethically sourced materials like organic cotton and rubber. They prioritize the mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being of their workers and place their highest value in their craftsmen and women. With several styles and more than a dozen colors to choose from, there’s a Cariuma sneaker for everyone.
When it’s time to shop for outerwear and outdoor gear, Patagonia is our go-to. They focus on reducing carbon emissions by continually transforming how they make and transport their products. Patagonia advocates for moving away from fossil fuels and protecting nature – they seek systemic change from government and industry. You can also participate in Patagonia’s Worn Wear program by trading in and buying used Patagonia gear.
87% of clothing ends up in landfills or gets incinerated. One of the best things we can do for the planet is keep stuff in use longer and reduce our overall consumption. That means buying less, repairing more and trading in gear when you no longer need it.
Harvest & Mill Organic Clothing is 100% made in the USA, starting with organic cotton grown in American soil. By supporting USA organic cotton farmers, Harvest & Mill is supporting the people who are on the front lines of preventing climate change, showing a path for other growers to transition to organic and helping to keep our planet clean for generations to come. The company also boasts a 100% American supply chain, which reduces the distance raw materials must travel and thereby minimizes the environmental impact. Harvest & Mill employs family-owned factories less than 15 miles from their design studio in California. They know the people who make their clothes by name.
We love Harvest & Mill for casual days around the house, working out or running errands. Their t-shirts, joggers, and socks are a great place to start for a capsule wardrobe or for stocking up on basics.
When you need something to wear to the office, the theatre, or a special event, look no further than Neem London for high quality sustainable men’s fashion. Next to each garment on the website, you can find information about the product’s lifecycle from farming to packaging to transportation. We love to see the transparency!
Neem’s dress shirts are made from 100% regenerative cotton – a biodegradable fabric that doesn’t add to landfills. When your Neem garment reaches the end of its life, you can send it back (even with tears and stains!) to be recycled, and you’ll receive a credit for your next purchase.
As New Orleanians, we would be remiss not to include a good swimsuit in our list of favorites! United By Blue makes a ton of great products including outerwear, t-shirts, and fanny packs, but we love their board shorts for a hot summer day on the water. For every pound of product purchased, United By Blue removes one pound of trash from oceans and waterways.
United By Blue uses nontoxic, regenerative fibers that keep harmful pesticides out of the environment and do their best to keep their processes clean from the beginning. They’re committed to producing clothes on a slow fashion timeline to avoid waste and overproduction, and their manufacturing partners hold some of the highest certifications in social and environmental health.
We couldn’t create a list of our favorite sustainable men’s fashion brands and not include Passion Lilie! Out of the six excellent brands listed here, Passion Lilie is one of two to achieve a “Great” designation by Good On You, a tool we use to learn about sustainable brands (the other is Harvest & Mill). Good On You ranks brands from “We avoid” to “Great” based on their proven commitment to sustainable practices. Passion Lilie’s “Great” designation means that we demonstrate leadership in all three core areas: people, planet, and animals. We’re recognized for being very transparent and having strong policies to address the most material issues across our supply chain.
Passion Lilie is dedicated to sourcing thoughtfully: we use materials that will not harm people or the planet. Understanding the negative impact of pesticides on biodiversity and the health of farming communities, we use durable natural fibers, organic cotton when we can, and nontoxic dyes. We believe in nurturing economic sustainability by collaborating with partners in India who pay fair and living wages, create a safe and healthy work environment, and invest in the overall wellbeing of the artisans.
Most importantly, our sustainable men’s fashion pieces are stylish and comfortable! Our button down shirts are gently tapered at the waist with a straight and narrow profile and a broader fit in the shoulders gives for the perfect fit. For cool and casual bottoms, our men’s shorts are designed for everyday comfort. They’re ikat woven and have a drawstring for optimal fit.
“Every year, 11 million metric tons of plastics enter our ocean on top of the estimated 200 million metric tons that currently circulate our marine environments. That’s like dumping one New York City garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute of every day for an entire year!"
-oceanconservancy.org
Plastic Free July is a campaign that started in Australia in 2011 and has grown into a global nonprofit organization with more than 100 million participants around the world. By choosing to make simple swaps for one month, you’ll figure out small ways to make a big impact on our planet, hopefully turning them into good habits. Passion Lilie is here to help with some of our favorite ways to reduce your single use plastics.
The first thing to know about Plastic Free July is that you can do it! Let’s start small. We can make a few simple swaps in our everyday lives and significantly contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet. In this blog post, we will explore some effective and easy-to-implement sustainable swaps to help you embrace Plastic Free July and beyond.
]]>Think about it. Why would you make something that you’re going to use for a few minutes out of a material that’s basically going to last forever, and you’re just going to throw it away. What’s up with that?-Jeb Berrier, Bag It movie
Essence Festival of Culture
June 29-July 3
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is an annual celebration of Black culture and art that takes place in the New Orleans Superdome. This year’s event will celebrate 50 years of hip-hop with an evening concert series headlined by Ms. Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliot, and Megan Thee Stallion.
During the day, attendees can partake in free discussions on race, religion, economics, and education. You’ll find outdoor markets with art, jewelry, and clothing celebrating the rich culture developed all over the African Diaspora. Between opportunities for community service projects in New Orleans and seminars, workshops, and tutorials, Essence is a weekend jam-packed with opportunities for connection, personal development, and so much fun.
Our Nautical Navy pants will keep you comfortable in the New Orleans summer heat and transition well from day events to night concerts. Pair with a basic white t-shirt during the day and jazz them up with heels and a top when you head out for the evening. For the fellas, grab a button down shirt for every day of the festival and you’re all set. We recommend pairing with shorts for the New Orleans summer weather.
Go Fourth on the River
July 4, 2023
One of the most exciting nights of the summer for New Orleanians of all ages is the 4th of July! We gather along the historic riverfront to see the Independence Day fireworks that are choreographed to patriotic music. The show is set off from barges that position themselves between the Gov. Nichols Street Wharf and the Canal Street Dock. Download this app to enjoy the choreographed fireworks with music!
Passion Lilie has tons of red, white, and blue options for all of your patriotic holidays and New Orleans summer fun. Some of our favorites for the July 4th festivities are our Badru button dress, shorts, and button down shirt and our Aspen button down shirt and top.
Coolinary
Aug. 1-31
Affectionately known as “The Crescent City’s most delicious summer tradition,” Coolinary is an opportunity to bring locals into restaurants during the slowest part of the New Orleans summer. When it’s too hot for many tourists, our most celebrated restaurants create enticing prix fixe menus to encourage folks to come in and have a seat. We love it because it’s a chance to support our hardworking local restaurant workers AND get a unique taste of restaurants we may not normally try. Check out the list of participating restaurants and their special Coolinary menus here.
Coolinary is an opportunity for a fun night out, and many of the participating restaurants are some of New Orleans’ finest. Check out your restaurant of choice to get an idea of the dress code, but in general, you can’t go wrong with a wrap dress or a button down.
White Linen Night
August 5, 2023
My personal favorite event of the New Orleans summer, White Linen Night, is always the first Saturday in August. Don your best summer whites and join the celebration of art along Julia Street and throughout the Warehouse District. Food and drink are available with a pre-purchased ticket, but it’s not imperative to buy one. Feel free to shop, gallery hop, enjoy live music, and grab drinks along the way. From the twinkle lights to the champagne, this night is truly sparkling, and you’ll see everyone you know in New Orleans. Be sure to wear your Passion Lilie best! We suggest our Alyssa Organic Dress for a cool and pretty take on your White Linen outfit. For the guys, our Sparrow Button Down fits the bill perfectly.
Dirty Linen Night
August 12, 2023
A week after White Linen Night, New Orleanians sport their “dirty linens” (in theory, the clothes they wore for White Linen Night) and head to Royal Street for more gallery hopping and music. Passion Lilie will have extended hours on this occasion so stop by any time before 9 p.m. on Dirty Linen Night!
Anything goes on Dirty Linen Night, but we recommend dressing for casual comfort. Our Slate Stripe Pants and a basic tee make an excellent option for staying cool and looking chic. The Blue Daisy Button Down is perfect to wear for Dirty Linen Night and all of your summer events.
Red Dress Run
August 12, 2023
Who doesn’t love a boozy fun run during the dog days of summer? The New Orleans Red Dress Run is an annual event that takes place on the second Saturday in August. It’s organized by the Hash House Harriers, a New Orleans “drinking club with a running problem,” and all proceeds are donated to local charities. Due to the highly alcohol-forward nature of the run, participants must be 21 and older. The only other rule is that all runners must sport a red dress! The event starts at 2300 N Peters Street and the route travels throughout the neighborhood and trickles into the French Quarter. For the rest of the day, you’ll see people in all corners of New Orleans proudly donning their red dresses.
Passion Lilie has plenty of options for the Red Dress Run, and they’re so pretty you can wear them again and again. These dresses are 100% cotton, so they’ll be breathable even on the most humid New Orleans summer day, and they have pockets for your beer money and ID!
Southern Decadence
Aug. 31 – Sept. 4
Southern Decadence is New Orleans’ most significant celebration of queer culture – almost like a combination of Mardi Gras and Pride. People from all over the world come to celebrate in the streets – attending concerts, club events, a parade, and more.
Some of the most popular events of the weekend include the Beer Bust at the Phoenix (Friday and Saturday evening), the Bourbon Street Extravaganza at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets (Saturday afternoon), and a Southern Decadence Parade (Sunday) that winds past some of the city’s prominent queer hotspots. You can check out the Ultimate Southern Decadence Guide here. Be sure to stop by Passion Lilie while you’re in the neighborhood!
This is the event that wraps up our New Orleans summer, but you can be sure it’ll still be warm enough to melt outside. Color, comfort, and FUN are the MO for the weekend, and we have just the outfits for you. These dresses are light and breathable, perfect through the end of summer and paired with a cardigan for cooler fall days ahead.
What else is on your New Orleans summer bucket list? We’d love to know in the comments below.
If you’ve checked your promotions tab since the beginning of June, you’ll find every brand you’ve ever engaged with is ready to be your new gay BFF. There are press releases and subject lines like “Pride + Savings = A Match Made in Rainbow Heaven!” and “Don’t hide your Pride! Shop our limited edition collection now.” And So. Many. Rainbows. From belt bags to bathing suits, there’s no scarcity of colorful clothing that you can buy to celebrate Pride Month. If you’re familiar with Passion Lilie, you know that Pride is always important to us. Being a sustainable company means being inclusive all day, every day – not just during certain months of the year.
Unfortunately, many fashion companies can’t say the same. Pride Month is a block on the annual marketing calendar during which they push colorful collections and tired cliches about love. On one hand, we appreciate any effort toward inclusion. Commercialism plays a key role in expanding the bounds of our national identity to include marginalized people, so we’re not here to snub companies that are genuinely trying to be more inclusive. However, we believe Pinkwashing, sometimes called Rainbow washing, is deeply problematic. We’re here to answer your questions about Pinkwashing and how to determine which brands to support this Pride Month.
What is Pinkwashing?
As a brand focused on our environmental impact and sustainability, you’ve probably heard Passion Lilie talk about Greenwashing from time to time. We warn shoppers to be wary of organizations that do a good job of talking the talk about being eco-friendly, but whose business practices tell another story entirely. We always encourage you to dig deeper, ask questions about where and how your clothes are made, and who makes them. This Pride Month, we hope you’ll do the same as you encounter Pinkwashing at every turn.
According to Dictionary.com, Pinkwashing is a term used to describe companies who “use LGBTQ+ marketing as a sales opportunity without making meaningful contributions to the cause—or, in some cases, even working against it, such as by donating to politicians who support anti-LGBTQ+ policies.” Pinkwashing is not limited to companies – we often find examples of politicians and government organizations who spend more time using LGBTQ+ topics to enhance their image than putting in the work to create change.
One month of rainbows does not an ally make, and Pride capitalism falls far short of the authentic values and civil rights conversations advocates hope to achieve. We – the consumers – are asking more of the brands we support, and we’re seeking tangible action, not just brand positioning. We support brands that share our beliefs, uplift LGBTQ+ and anti-racist voices, and demand fair pay and healthy work environments.
What power do we have?
We vote with our dollars. Every purchase we make – a fast food sandwich, a dress from a giant retail store, or a handmade item from a small business – is a political choice. Figure out what values are most important to you and which ones you feel ok compromising. Before you support any brand, seek out their core values and discover how they deliver upon them. If Pride Month seems to be filled with empty gestures, move on and find a brand that’s giving back to LGBTQ+ organizations, creating inclusive teams, paying and promoting fairly within the company. Truly inclusive brands committed to activism will have evidence of their work toward equity.
What are some good brands to support during Pride Month?
We made a list of some brands we love, and we hope you’ll choose to support them (and businesses like them) year-round.
The cutest couple, Josh and Joseph Duffy, own one of the most vibrant and friendly shops in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Add Bourbon Pride to your list of must-dos when you’re in the area. You’ll find belt bags, magnets, t-shirts and more Pride gear than you’ve ever dreamed of. This power couple is always raising money for one cause or another. They truly care about their community. There are hundreds of five star reviews on their page, but one that sums it up best is “Amazing shop! Awesome atmosphere and excellent customer service! Gay, straight, and everything in between, there's something for everyone here!”
A fellow New Orleans based small business, Tchoup Industries is an LGBTQ+ owned company with a mission to build bags that support our Southern Louisiana community, that have a reduced impact on our natural environment, and that instill a spirit of exploration. If you’re in the market for a new travel bag, check out their line of back packs and shoulder bags. We love the Flap Packs for all of our day tripping adventures.
You can find a beautiful, eco-friendly card for any occasion under the sun at Ladyfingers Letterpress. Award-winning Ladyfingers Letterpress is a Queer and Trans-owned-and-operated stationery and gift brand founded by designer + printmaker couple, Arley Torsone and Morgan Calderini. In recent years, the company has used their platform to promote women's, LGBTQ+, BIPOC and immigrant rights, using their "power of the press" to produce work that helps mobilize social movements.
(Photo credit: Lauren Memarian)
NOTO Botanics
Skincare for all? Yes, please! NOTO was created by Gloria Noto, a professional makeup artist and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She saw a need for inclusive, minimalist skincare and created this all-natural line of essentials with every body in mind. NOTO strives to create impact through action by donating a portion of proceeds from their Agender Oil product to organizations such as: Planned Parenthood, The Okra Project, The Transgender Freedom Fund, Black Mama’s Matter, The Love Land Foundation, The Trevor Project, and many more.
“As a business owner, queer person, and a first generation child of immigrants, it’s important for me to connect with my community through my work. Agender Oil is a conduit to pursuing that connection in an authentic and creative way based on our means as a small business. However, I also encourage you to directly put dollars into the pockets of the organizations you wish to support first.” - Gloria Noto
Gefen is a first-generation immigrant, proud queer woman, and coffee lover who founded Couplet Coffee in order to bring the love and joy of great-tasting, specialty coffee to the masses. They built a diverse team of baristas, poets, artists and community builders who make delicious, unpretentious coffee available for everyone. Get fired up for Pride Month celebrations with a bag of single origin Peaceful Peru coffee beans. These Peruvian beans are from San Ignacio (Estrella Divina), a co-op in a lovely part of Peru. They’re Couplet’s customer favorite - light/medium roasted, peachy and caramely -- yum!
If you have any favorite LGBTQ+ businesses we should support, let us know! Happy Pride Month!
]]>A Father’s Day gift for the stylish dad: We used to gravitate toward ties and dress socks, but since the pandemic, workspaces and special events are trending toward more casual attire. This Father’s Day, give dad something he can wear for work, festivals, grocery shopping and everything in between. Passion Lilie’s button down shirts are made from ikat woven cotton. They’re slim fit shirts with a straight and narrow profile and broad shoulders.
Passion Lilie also offers ikat shorts to help get your dad dressed for summer. If you’re looking for the perfect throw-on-and-go shorts, look no further than our selection of handwoven shorts.
Oh, and while you’re shopping don’t forget to grab something for yourself! Check out our bags made from the leftover fabric of our men’s shirts. You may even find one to match his new shirt!
A Father’s Day gift for the papa who loves to cook: if the guy in your life feels best when he’s serving up something delicious for his family and friends, a sous vide cooking kit is the perfect gift. Sous vide cooking utilizes precise temperature control with circulation to produce results that you can’t achieve through any other cooking technique. With precise temperature control, sous vide ensures food is cooked to the perfect temperature every time, and (BONUS!) reduces waste. Traditionally prepared food dries out and results in waste. For example, on average, traditionally cooked steak loses up to 40% of its volume due to drying out. Steak cooked sous vide loses none of its volume.
Dad already has all the cooking gear he needs? Spring for some good cuts of steak from his favorite local shop or gather up a cornucopia of fresh vegetables from the farmer’s market if he would prefer to go meatless!
A Father’s Day gift for the sporty dad or the one who prefers experiences: Spend some quality time together this Father’s Day with a trip to your nearest Topgolf! Make your reservations in advance as they may book ahead for special occasions. He’ll love spending time with his favorite people doing something that he loves (whether he’s any good or not)! Topgolf has delicious snacks and drinks, so give yourselves the night off from the kitchen – enjoy a cheeseburger and a craft cocktail!
A Father’s Day Gift for the outdoorsy dad: Grab some sustainably made sunglasses (we love these from Sunski) and plan a fun day outside. Check out the local nature trails, pack a park picnic, plan a backyard campout, or lounge by your nearest body of water. Whatever your guy enjoys doing, he’ll do it in style and comfort with his new shades.
A Father’s Day gift for the guy who just loves to give: My favorite gift for any time of year is a philanthropic donation to an organization that he loves or one that makes you think of him. We know a lot of dads who don’t care about gifts but who do care a lot about other people. What better way to honor him than a charitable gift in his name? One of our favorite local nonprofits (and a perfect choice for Father’s Day) is an organization called Son of a Saint. Son of a Saint provides mentorship, education, recreation, camaraderie, cultural enrichment, emotional support and helping to fill the void for dozens of fatherless young men in New Orleans.
A Father’s Day gift for the sentimental papa: Is it a little dusty in here or is this precious book getting to him? Personalize it just for him with the kids’ names, what they call dad, book color and dedication. You can customize it with the names of up to four children. This is a great Father’s Day gift for dads who feel most loved through words of affirmation. Pair it with a homemade card and enjoy a special story time.
A Father’s Day gift for the guy who loves a gadget: Perfect for the runner, lifter, pickleball player, or really hard worker, a massage gun is a gift that you may benefit from, too! There are tons of options out there, so find one that fits in your budget and give him the gift of relaxation.
A Father’s Day gift for the dad who’s always taking care of things: If his love language is serving others, Father’s Day is a great opportunity to do something to take care of him. Take his car to be washed and detailed, and – if you’re like me and need to have a physical gift – give him a gift certificate for another car wash to use later. To make it super easy for him (and you), find someone locally who will come to you!
A Father’s Day gift for the father who needs some “me time:” If the dad in your life cherishes a few minutes of quiet, relaxing down time, grab a basket and gather some gifts that will give him just that. Bayou Soaps are the item dads gravitate toward in Passion Lilie’s storefront. They smell delicious and they last forever. Fun fact - they’re made by a Grammy award winning saxophonist from New Orleans!
Another excellent addition to your gift basket is a package of JusTea Purple Leaf Tea. Fairly traded and farmer-direct, drinking JusTea’s Purple Leaf Tea directly benefits Kenyan farming families. Purple Tea leaves have more antioxidants than any other tea leaf! The leaves have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties and reduce cholesterol, boost cognitive function and prevent colds and flus. And because of how this tea is produced, it has half the caffeine of green tea. The company works with small-scale tea farmers, providing new opportunities for sustainable growth and employment for their families with a focus on ethical, natural and quality tea. We carry it in store and you can order from their website if you’re not local to New Orleans. With his tea and his fine soap, he’ll feel like royalty!
We hope you have the happiest Father’s Day celebrating with your loved ones. Let us know if there are any great gifts we missed!
]]>Fashion is a $2.5 trillion industry without a single binding regulation. The industry is responsible for between 4 and 8.6% of the world’s global greenhouse gas footprint –– more than France, Germany and the United Kingdom combined. Left unchecked, the industry will be responsible for more than a quarter of the world’s global carbon budget by 2050. Fast fashion companies have accelerated the negative climate impacts, and we cannot remain inactive any longer.
Chemicals used in the garment industry are filling waterways with toxic waste, harming communities and ecosystems. In addition to poor chemical stewardship, the fashion industry relies on exploited labor. Workers (the majority of whom are women of color in the global south) are routinely exploited, underpaid, and subject to sexual abuse in the course of their work. According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs, the apparel industry is a leading industry of exploited and child labor.
What is The Fashion Act and why should we care about it?
Little by little, climate and humanitarian advocates are capturing the attention of our legislators. Activists around America are involved in pushing forward new bills to help regulate the fashion industry. Passion Lilie is here to break down one of the most popular new bills and explain how and why we should replicate it in other states.
What is The Fashion Act?
The New York Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act (A8352/S7428), better known as The Fashion Act, is a bill that is currently pending in the New York State Senate Consumer Protection Committee. If the law is passed, it will require any fashion retailer or manufacturer doing business in NY state to disclose their environmental and social supply chain due diligence policies, and it will establish a community benefit fund with money collected from fines and penalties.
The Fashion Act would make New York the first state in the U.S. to hold accountable those brands who generate more than $100 million annually – this includes brands of all types, from fast fashion to the highest of haute couture.
So, what does The Fashion Act actually do?
If passed, the Fashion Act would require companies to document the greenhouse gas emissions, chemical management, energy consumption, and water and material usage throughout the entirety of their supply chain. The ultimate goal is to reduce these levels to align with The Paris Agreement. In a nutshell, The Paris Agreement is a legally binding agreement between 193 states and the European Union. It sets long-term goals to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global temperature increase in this century to 2 degrees Celsius.
The Fashion Act uses Science Based Targets (SBTs) which are 5–10-year targets that set the pace for companies to reduce their emissions to meet the standards of The Paris Agreement. SBTs are the global standard for carbon management, and more than 3,000 businesses have committed to using the system. According to TheFashionAct.org, “Using science-based standards moves industry from storytelling competitions to a common definition of ambition. The SBT translates complex science into real-world corporate climate targets.”
The Fashion Act requires companies in New York to set and achieve Science Based Targets as a minimum, with room to expand regulations should the SBTs prove insufficient. By putting The Fashion Act into law, all companies that fit the criteria would be held to the same standard. As it stands now, companies are disincentivized from taking action because being eco and labor friendly comes at a cost. Paying fair wages and reducing the carbon footprint of their products requires companies to increase their prices, thereby losing market share to their competitors. If all competitors are held to the same regulations, it becomes easier for more businesses to work toward sustainability.
The consequences of failing to achieve their SBTs are financial penalties that will be collected by the state’s attorney general and added to an environmental protection fund. The Natural Resources Defense Council explains, “If companies fail to meet their SBTs, they could be fined up to 2% of their annual revenues. For a company as big as, say, Shein, which raked in $30 billion last year, that would be roughly $600 million.”
What are The Fashion Act’s main goals?
What’s the timeline for The Fashion Act?
The Fashion Act is not a new piece of legislation. It was first introduced in October 2021 and has since been amended and strengthened into its current iteration. New York’s legislative session ends in June, so our hope is that it will be delivered to the governor before the session concludes.
Why is this bill only in New York state, not everywhere?
Because of the intensely polarized political environment in our country, progressive states are leading the charge on projects fighting climate change. In New York, where most legislators are progressive leaning, bills like The Fashion Act have a much higher chance of being passed. Then, as other states see the impact and success of the law, they may follow suit.
Additionally, New York City is one of the four most prominent fashion capitals of the world. It makes sense that the state of New York should pave the way for fashion standards in the US. California’s vehicle pollution standards legislation has provided a model for the Fashion Act. It revolutionized the auto industry by setting regulations that are stricter than the federal ones. Sixteen states have followed California’s lead, and now 40% of the US market has clean car standards. As a result, federal standards have also been raised to ensure that all Americans have access to safer vehicles.
Our hope is that once the New York Fashion Act is passed, other states will bring forth similar legislation ultimately leading to more stringent federal regulations.
What can we do to help?
Start by visiting https://www.thefashionact.org/home/#takeaction. There you can add your name to supporters of The Fashion Act alongside other folks you might know like Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and Zooey Deschanel. You can also share on your social networks to help the movement gain awareness. You may be surprised how much of an impact you can make, no matter how many followers you have. The Fashion Act website has scripts and suggested content to make it as easy as possible to share. If you’re in New York, reach out to your legislators and voice your support for The Fashion Act. Finally, if you’re a fashion company or civil society organization interested in joining as a supporter of The Fashion Act, reach out to hello@newstandardinstitute.org to get involved.
We hope this information about The Fashion Act is helpful. Reach out to us if you want to talk more about it, and get involved in moving it forward. Every voice matters!
Sources:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods
]]>For the dog lover: Passion Lilie has an assortment of bandanas that fit over her beloved pup’s collar. We have a variety of sizes and colors in our Chartres Street shop, but you can email or DM us on Instagram if you aren’t able to stop by and we’ll help you pick out the perfect bandana. Our dog bandanas are part of our mission to reduce our waste – they’re made of leftover fabric from our larger garments. That means that you may even be able to match the bandana with a shirt or dress from our collection! My mom would melt into a puddle over a matching set. If yours would too, send us a message today and we’ll show you what we have! Dog bandanas are $14.
For the beach goer: Mom’s Favorite Blue Sarong tops our list every year as one of the best Mother’s Day gifts. She can wear it as a coverup at the beach or pool, use it for a picnic blanket or even as a towel. It’s super lightweight and folds up nicely, making it easy to stow in a suitcase. This sarong is ethically made with a super soft cotton and hand block printed with a beautiful blue floral print using eco dyes. Want to go bigger? Grab a sustainably made beach bag – we love this seagrass woven tote, toss in a good beach read, her new sarong, and a yummy snack. Mom’s ready for a perfectly relaxing day at the beach, pool, or just the back yard!
For the mom who loves jewelry: Beatrix Bell, Passion Lilie’s partner at our Chartres Street shop, makes beautiful, meaningful jewelry that may just bring your mom to tears. Beatrix is a local New Orleans jewelry maker, and she has several collections that are customizable for the perfect personalized gift. Her 14K gold dipped nest necklace symbolizes children or family members. The nest pendant is approximately 0.75 inches in diameter and is handwoven with precious metal wire. It is adorned with genuine Swarovski pearls and is available with 1 to 5 eggs in your choice of three different colors: ivory, turquoise, or light blue. The necklace has an 18-inch chain with a spring ring closure, and all metals used are 14K gold dipped. If the mom in your life is a lover of nature, jewelry, and family, this Mother’s Day Gift is a slam dunk. Beatrix also makes beautiful customizable peapod jewelry and heart necklaces with pieces that may represent children or family members.
For the mom who loves family time: Some moms say they don’t want a Mother’s Day gift at all, and while she might truly mean it, you should still come up with a little something to make her feel special. If your mom says she’d prefer to spend the day as a family, think of something that will bring everyone together to do something she enjoys. Does she love breakfast foods? Charcuterie and a good pinot noir? Gather some of her favorite things and fill up a picnic basket. Find a park and set up a place where she can relax and enjoy the company of the people she loves most. If you want to level up your picnic, bring along some Passion Lilie napkins – a gift she can reuse again and again.
If she’d prefer indoor activities or if Mother’s Day looks like rain, plan a fun night in! Choose one of her favorite movies or let her pick. Gather an assortment of sweet and salty snacks, a new board game, and a Passion Lilie throw blanket for the coziest Mother’s Day ever.
We think these are some of the best Mother’s Day gift ideas around, but remember, the most important thing is to think about your mom. Consider what she likes to do, what types of gifts she likes to receive, and how she prefers to celebrate special events. Some good go-to gifts to keep in your back pocket are a family photo session, a gift card for nails or spa services, a framed photo or piece of art. As long as you keep her thoughts and feelings in mind as you’re planning Mother’s Day, we’re pretty sure it’ll be perfect.
]]>Fashion Revolution Week is an annual campaign bringing together the world’s largest fashion activism movement for seven days of action. The week centers around the anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy that killed more than 1,100 people and injured 2,500 in a factory in Bangladesh.
This year marks 10 years since the tragedy. During Fashion Revolution week, we remember the lives lost and reflect on changes we still need to make within the global fashion industry.
We all know that, around the world, garment workers are marginalized and treated unfairly. While most of our clothes are made in countries where workers have few rights and cannot unionize, dangerous and unfair employment practices are happening right under our noses in our own country, as well.
A March 2023 U.S. Department of Labor report found violations of the Fair Labor Standards act in 80% of its Southern California investigations, with garment workers earning as little as $1.58 per hour in one case. Wage and Hour Regional Administrator Ruben Rosalez noted, “Many people shopping for clothes in stores and online are likely unaware that the ‘Made in the USA’ merchandise they’re buying was, in fact, made by people earning far less than the U.S. law requires.”
Many companies argue that the people who work inhumane hours in despicable conditions are fortunate to have a job and that otherwise they’d be destitute. The Department of Labor found that more than half the employers they investigated were found to be “illegally paying workers part or all their wages off the books, with payroll records either deliberately forged or not provided.” Worldwide, these companies are exploiting immigrants, children, and poor populations who have no choice but to take these jobs.
Fashion Revolution is committed to creating a better world for the people who make our clothes, and there are many ways that we can help.
Join the fashion revolution. In their most recent Fashion Transparency Index, Fashion Revolution discusses working within the fashion industry and outside of it, and how we can make an impact. They argue that “working within the system means engaging in a system that is deeply unsustainable, extractive and unjust. Engaging within a system we disagree with is not to condone it. In fact, it is the very opposite – an attempt to fundamentally disrupt and dismantle the structures that uphold injustice and exploitation.”
If you’ve been around Passion Lilie for a second, you know that’s how we operate, too. We love fashion, people and the earth, so we work as hard as we can both within the system and outside of it to make incremental changes. Read on to find out how Passion Lilie and the Fashion Revolution Manifesto go hand in hand.
During Fashion Revolution Week, we hope you’ll take time to reflect on what fashion means to you, and how you can work both within the system and outside of it to make desperately needed changes. If you have ideas, we’d love to hear them!
This year’s Earth Day theme, Invest In Our Planet, is central to Passion Lilie’s mission. At our core, we are committed to investing in artists, ancient traditions, and production practices that make our planet a healthier place for all of us. We wanted to recognize Earth Day by sharing how we invest in our planet and by offering a sustainable fashion hack to help you invest in our planet, too!
]]>At the very heart of all things Passion Lilie, you will find human beings. Your Passion Lilie clothing is made by hand by a small group of artisans in India. We pay them fair wages, offer them stable employment with time off and other benefits, and ensure they are working in safe, healthy, empowering conditions. These opportunities permeate our artisans’ communities as they spend their profits in their local economies, start their own businesses, and share their skills. This leads to sustainable societies and a better world for all of us, even the most disadvantaged.
Passion Lilie’s owner and designer, Katie Schmidt, visits India annually and knows many of the artists by name. In a world where fast fashion is taking over, contributing a massive fraction of the climate crisis and dehumanizing garment workers all over the world, knowing who makes your clothes and in what conditions is critical.
From hand-weaving techniques to block printing, Passion Lilie's textiles are rich in culture and tradition. The tradition of block printing began in the state of Andhra Pradesh in the 16th century. The advent of etching a design into a block and stamping the fabric with that block decreased the cost of printed fabrics and made these types of fabrics popular for fashion and home decor. Sadly, the block printing art form died off in the 17th century. Thanks to a few good people, the art form was revitalized in the 1960s. Today, Passion Lilie sources its fabrics from a couple of workshops that were part of this revitalization.
Kutch weaving is another ancient tradition that Passion Lilie cherishes and chooses to invest in. Kutch weaving, also known as Marwada style, is a 600-year-old tradition from the district of Kutch in Gujarat. Like many other crafts of India, it has been passed down by generations of artisans who have profound knowledge and expertise, and whose children grew up in the nooks of looms imbibing all the traditions at once. As they grew up, they took up the responsibility of making the craft relevant to modern times.
When you invest in Passion Lilie clothing, you are supporting the craftsmen and women and artisans who make our garments by hand. The undying spirit of the artisans is a testament to the love of tradition. By supporting Passion Lilie, you also help to ensure these ancient traditions and craftsmanship can carry on for years to come and can continue to be passed down from one generation to the next.
Investing in natural fibers like cotton is a huge step toward sustainability. While it’s not always possible to buy environmentally friendly cars or install solar panels on our home, we do have a choice in the kinds of clothing we purchase. Other fabrics rely on the further extraction of fossil fuels which contribute directly to climate change for manufacturing, but cotton does not. When cotton does need to be disposed of, it can break down in our world naturally.
In addition to cotton, Passion Lilie invests in modal fabric, a material that is both durable and eco-friendly. Modal is made from Beech trees in certified sustainable forests. It requires less water to produce than other fabrics, uses zero pesticides, and is carbon neutral. Modal fabric is often described as feeling softer, silkier, and more luxurious than cotton. It’s color-fast, so your clothes stay vibrant and won’t wrinkle or pill even after several washes. That means you’ll get a lot of wear out of your modal garment and will be less likely to throw it away, creating less waste. When you invest in one of our modal pieces, you’ll have a lifetime garment that is both super comfortable and made to last.
Passion Lilie believes in lifting up organizations that are doing work we care about. We have invested in nonprofits near and far including ACLU, The Trevor Project, United Houma Nation and Krewe of Red Beans.
In honor of Earth Day 2023, Passion Lilie will donate 10% of online sales to The Green Project for the entire month of April. Serving New Orleans since 1994, the Green Project's mission is to promote a culture of creative reuse by diverting usable materials from landfills and cultivating a respect for their value.
By selling used and teaching about reuse, The Green Project is able to provide affordable materials to the community, host low-cost and free workshops, keep usable goods out of the landfill and nearby waterways, preserve historic architectural pieces and educate residents about environmental issues.
EarthDay.org, the global hub for Earth Day 2023, highlights sustainable fashion as one of the top six ways to invest in our planet. The site offers helpful resources, including a toolkit that will come in handy as you’re working toward your sustainable fashion goals. One excellent piece of advice they offer is to invest in a capsule wardrobe.
EarthDay.org says, “By definition, a capsule wardrobe is a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that not only complement each other but allows you to create a wide variety of outfits with just a small selection of items. Creating a capsule wardrobe can save you time, money, stress and will ultimately help you become more sustainable.”
We hope this fashion hack helps you achieve your sustainable fashion goals. If you have other recommendations, please share them in the comments. Happy Earth Day!
From Akris to Zimmerman, this season’s fashion shows tugged on a common thread with their spring collections. When describing their inspiration and the looks they designed, the great fashion houses echoed a longing for humanity in the post-pandemic era. Alexander McQueen’s creative director said their spring collection “is about searching for humanity and human connection,” while Akris described their designs as “a re-beginning, an incentive to pause, a point in which everything can reappear or renew itself.”
Stella McCartney, Chanel and Raf Simmons – among countless others – also mentioned the passage of time in their fashion show notes. They talked about how their spring collections represent moments in time, the importance of pausing, and choosing who we become. The pandemic gave each of us the opportunity to explore our humanity in new ways, and evident in each spring collection is the designer’s response to these existential questions.
Here at Passion Lilie, themes of humanity and time are intrinsic to our designs. Our brand is built upon caring for people, the traditions they’ve carried through centuries, and the natural world that gives us life. Read on for sneak peeks of our spring collection and the inspiration behind this year’s colors and designs.
When creating Passion Lilie’s spring collection, designer Katie Schmidt was inspired by the colors of her local surroundings in vibrant New Orleans and the outside world. You’ll find blues in sky hues, and oranges, lavenders, and aquas that reflect the Caribbean influences coloring the historic New Orleans French Quarter.
Our Shaila Pants and Skyline top, dress and men’s shirt are made in tranquil blues. Evoking the sensations of sea and sky, our spring collection is peaceful and pretty. Add these pieces to your closet for days when you need to feel a sense of serenity.
Giving the people what they want – more floral designs! Florals have been a big part of Passion Lilie designs from the very beginning. Few things celebrate the link between humanity and nature like a pretty floral design, and our spring collection is full of beautiful options. In recent years, Passion Lilie has focused more on geometric patterns, but we’ve heard the many requests for more florals this year and decided to give you both!
Do you prefer retro floral prints or modern ones? More of a lavender gal or do earth tones suit you better? Whatever your preferences, Passion Lilie has you covered. If florals aren’t your thing, our spring collection includes plenty of stripes and geometric options as well.
You can’t go wrong with a geometric print in a classic silhouette. Interesting colors and patterns bring a fresh take to timeless designs, giving you clothes that are functional, flattering, AND gorgeous.
Ikat prints are another way Passion Lilie honors time and tradition through a centuries-old craft of dyeing and weaving. Due to the care and attention to detail required by the process, each ikat print is truly one of a kind. The result of this craft is fun, trendy fabrics that can be used for a wide variety of clothing for all bodies and preferences.
Each Passion Lilie garment is made by hand in India using ancient methods and the purest materials. When you wear your beautiful ikat and hand block printed clothes, we hope you feel the bonds between humans around the world, between ancient traditions and modern style.
We love a stripe for the classic, clean look – but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring! Passion Lilie’s spring collection includes stripes that are fun AND functional. Perfect for a business meeting or a brunch date, these pieces will never go out of style.
Ultra-flattering wrap dresses and tops. Shirts with buttons, bows and fun back details. Throw-on-and-go dresses. Pants, skirts, and shorts for all occasions. Each piece is designed with keen attention to the details that make clothing fit well and withstand time, trends, and lots of wear. The spring collection has everything you need for warmer days ahead.
Our men’s shirts are some of Passion Lilie’s biggest hits, and our spring collection designs will not disappoint! If you need a gift for Easter or Father’s Day, look no further than one of our new button downs. They’re perfect for a day at the ballpark, a festival, date night and anything in between. Our shirts feature tapering at the waist with a straight and narrow profile and a broader fit in the shoulders for the ideal fit.
We hope you love our spring collection as much as we do, and that you cherish your Passion Lilie pieces! Each garment holds a story that begins with the farmer who grows fibers in the earth. A designer in New Orleans and a small group of artisans in India use those fibers to turn ideas into beautiful clothes that you can wear proudly, knowing that they are part of a rich tradition and fair trade practices that value humanity and our planet above all.
]]>A global study conducted between 2014-2020 shows that the gap in male and female entrepreneurs remained stable over the six-year period: the average number of female entrepreneurs was way below the number of male entrepreneurs. In all economies studied, the data showed:
The study concludes that some of the major contributing factors to the disparity are invisible barriers and ingrained cultural beliefs that hinder female entrepreneurs from reaching the same successes as their male counterparts. For example, even after decades of work to close the gap, about 90% of men and women hold some sort of bias against women.
With that staggering statistic in mind, we want to recognize International Women’s Day by talking to Passion Lilie’s founder, CEO and designer, Katie Schmidt, about her experience as a female entrepreneur.
How did you decide to start Passion Lilie? What was it like starting a business for the first time?
Starting Passion Lilie was a journey that began with my love for sewing, design and textiles. It all started in 2010: after many years of working as a costume designer in California, I moved to France to pursue a master's in Luxury and Fashion Management. It was there that I first learned about social impact business which led me to seek a job in fair trade after graduating. I moved to New Orleans and became a manager at a fair trade shop. I dove into learning about fair trade and visited India in 2012 to learn more. I decided to start Passion Lilie in 2013 because I felt that the fair trade apparel market didn't have enough stylish, well-fitting, and affordable options.
I would not have started Passion Lilie if it wasn’t for a few people in my life. One of them was Erica Trani who started the fair trade shop that I was managing. At a board meeting, where I was full of ideas, she simply said, “Why don’t you start your own business.” She knew that I loved to design and I needed to grow outside of the role that I was in. I looked at her kind of puzzled thinking - really, I can do that. I can just start a business. And at first it was super scary, but my way of overcoming fear is to keep myself busy. So I spent every day from morning to evening researching and figuring out how I was going to start a business. A few months later, another person said, “Just launch a product, even if it's not perfect.” I was so stuck in the business planning phase and I kept feeling like I wasn’t ready to launch a product, but I needed to make that jump. And in fact, I remember feeling that way a lot during the start of my business - at first doubting I could do it, and then somehow pushing myself to do it.
Did you encounter biases or challenges when you were starting your Passion Lilie? Do you experience them today?
Yes. When I started I was young, 28 years and a woman, so a lot of people did not take me seriously. I remember a lot of unsettling comments from store buyers and even customers (both men and women) mostly about them not taking me seriously or thinking they could walk all over me. I remember in the beginning cutting my long hair thinking it would make me look older, but it didn’t. So I realized that I had to believe in myself, take myself seriously and hold myself up with confidence.
I am not by nature a sales person. I am actually kind of shy at first when I talk to people, but I love what I do, so I have learned how to talk to anyone about my product - with knowledge and confidence. And now I am a great salesperson. If I love a product, I can sell it.
What drives you? Why do you do what you do?
I want to make a difference in the world I live in. I do not want to be a part of the problem, I want to be a solution to the problem. I LOVE nature more than anything. Nature inspires me, gives me hope and it is what drives me. I also love design, color and textiles. Creating satisfies a part of me that nothing else can.
What is it like being a female entrepreneur in New Orleans?
Maybe it is just the people I surround myself with, but I think the New Orleans community is the greatest. My fellow creatives are so supportive and my customers, friends and followers are amazing! They do not expect me to be perfect and they support Passion Lilie through all of our challenges and triumphs.
When I started Passion Lilie I also leaned heavily on the resources that are available for new business owners like: Good Work Network, Idea Village and Propeller.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a chance to raise awareness for all the amazing things that women do across cultures despite all the obstacles that they face. Too much of the time we are shown the world through a man’s point of view, and my hope is that we can start to see more of the world through a woman’s view - and not just a white woman’s view, but a viewpoint of women across skin colors and cultures.
What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs who are just starting out?
It is one thing to be good at something and it is another thing to be passionate about it. The most successful entrepreneurs lead with passion and they are extremely hardworking and - most importantly - resourceful.
Also, never compare yourself to another person. We live in a very fast paced culture, and most banks and capital investors want young entrepreneurs to grow fast and make lots of money, but I believe that slow and steady wins the race. If you put your values first and think in the long term, you will have a successful business for years to come.
What does Passion Lilie do to help women and girls around the world achieve gender parity?
One of the best things about owning Passion Lilie is the ability to uplift female entrepreneurs around the world. At Passion Lilie, a focus of our sustainable business model is building a more equitable workplace. Long-term, sustainable change is more than just paying fair wages. We work with our Indian partners to provide artisans with opportunities to deepen their skills.
While women comprise more than 60% of workers in the apparel industry in India, few rise to the more advanced—and higher paying—position of tailor. To elevate more women to become tailors, we've developed a free job training program.
Through our training program, women interested in entering the apparel industry receive three months of free job training, a salary, and a loaned sewing machine and free space to work in our partner's sewing unit. The trainee learns valuable advanced sewing skills on a variety of garments and fabrics allowing them to become a skilled tailor and receive an increase in salary.
Upon completion of the program, the trainee is offered a job at our Partner's Unit. During the training program the participants do not work on Passion Lilie garments and if they do not wish to complete the program, they have no obligation to do so.
What do you want to achieve next?
I want to figure out more ways that Passion Lilie can give back to our local community. I am thankful that we have been able to sponsor the training program in India, and one day I hope to do something like this in New Orleans - the city that has been so wonderful to Passion Lilie.
If you have more questions for Katie or ideas for how to celebrate International Women’s Day, please share them in the comments. Happy International Women’s Day!
]]>This February, the Passion Lilie team hopes you’ll join us in using our spending power to help elevate Black-owned businesses. Did you know that, historically, Black business owners have faced more difficulty raising capital and obtaining loans to start their companies? Even with the same credit worthiness, need for financing, business types and human capital, Black business owners have a harder time accessing loans and financing than people in other racial groups.
These inequalities were deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic, when the number of black business owners plunged by more than 40 percent – a far steeper drop than the 22 percent decline of business owners as a whole. According to The Washington Post, “Experts have voiced concerns that wealth gaps, trouble accessing government aid and concentrations in reeling industries have left these companies and the families they support more vulnerable to the pandemic’s fallout.”
It's up to us, the consumers, to research the brands we support and put our money where our mouths are. Every like and share helps bring awareness to small businesses, but using our purchasing power to uplift their work is the best way to give Black-owned businesses the currency, acknowledgement, and space they have earned.
We do our best to support Black-owned businesses all year, and we want to share a few of our favorites with you so that you can, too. Please share your favorite Black-owned businesses in the comments!
Founded by: Mimi Striplin
Located: Charleston, South Carolina
Why we love The Tiny Tassel: You know those Instagram accounts that just fill you with joy as you’re scrolling through? The Tiny Tassel does that for us. Mimi’s feed is bursting with color and happiness. What started as handmade tassel earrings has now become a beautiful flagship store in the heart of Charleston, SC filled with jewelry, garments and handbags. One of our favorite things about The Tiny Tassel is that Mimi’s mom, Keiko Striplin, designs and makes all of the shop’s clothing and headbands! The Tiny Tassel truly has something for everyone. Take a look at Mimi’s unbelievable jewelry collection and you’ll find yourself thinking of gifts for everyone you know – just be sure to get something for yourself while you’re at it!
Founded by: Liya Kebede
Located in: Ethiopia, Kenya and Morocco
Why we love lemlem: Lemlem means “to bloom and flourish” in the Ethiopian language of Amhari. Lemlem’s founder, supermodel Liya Kebede, describes her brand as “a label of love, celebrating women and nature”. Lemlem and Passion Lilie have so much in common – both are inspired by the handwoven patterns and vibrant colors of the places where they’re crafted, and both have a focus on eco-friendly production. Liya created lemlem after visiting her native country of Ethiopia and realizing that local artisans were losing their jobs. She wanted to preserve the ancient artform and create jobs for local creators. Liya says, “By employing traditional weavers, we’re trying to break their cycle of poverty, while preserving the art of weaving, to create modern, casual, comfortable clothes that we really want to wear.”
We really do want to wear them! Lemlem’s caftans are actual works of art. They’re colorful and incredibly soft. Best of all, 5% of each purchase supports the lemlem Foundation, which helps create a pathway out of poverty for women artisans in Africa through programs that promote better access to healthcare, job opportunities, and responsible production.
Founded by: Taylor Jay
Location: Oakland, CA
Why we love Taylor Jay: We absolutely love Taylor’s focus on inclusion. She designs each piece to be adjustable for all body types so that women can feel comfortable in their own skin. Born out of Taylor’s frustration that the fashion industry wasn’t catering to her body type, Taylor Jay clothes are adaptable with generous sizing and smart design features to guarantee a perfect fit. Taylor Jay is an inspiration for black-owned business women and entrepreneurs.
We adore Taylor Jay’s berry jumper for an outfit that can be worn with sneakers on errand day or heels and jewelry for a night on the town. Chic enough for a party and comfy enough for lounging? Sign us right up!
Founded by: Dr. Kristian Edwards
Location: All over!
Why we love BLK + GRN: Dr. Edwards is on a mission. Well, two missions to be exact: BLK + GRN aims to bring non-toxic products to Black women and to fund the Black-owned businesses who create these non-toxic products. BLK + GRN is a marketplace that unites Black women who believe that “products that are used on people’s bodies and brought into their homes should not contain toxic ingredients that threaten their wellness or health.”
At BLK + GRN, more than 136 artisans create health and wellness products that are high quality and eco-friendly. Their Dinobi Gentle Laundry Detergent is perfect for washing your Passion Lilie products (and everything else in the hamper). It’s safe enough for babies and pets and uses only four botanical ingredients! Clothes come out fresh and clean without causing skin irritation. BLK + GRN is an excellent Black-owned business you can support whenever you’re replacing products you use in your medicine cabinet, makeup bag, or cleaning closet. Before heading to a big name store, see what BLK + GRN artisans can make for you instead! We know you’ll be happy you did.
Founded by: Brittany Kozerski
Location: Designed in NYC/Made in LA
Why we love JADE Swim: Responsibly sourced. Recycled and regenerated materials. Toxic-free. Solid colored fabrics = reduced water usage. Slow fashion. Oh, and did we mention STUNNING? Brittany has created a timeless swimwear brand that combines a minimalist aesthetic with innovative silhouettes and unique design details. She uses luxe fabrics that are made from 100% regenerated nylon, reducing waste from oceans and landfills.
Brittany wants her swimsuits to last forever – a timeless, stylish piece you can use year after year. She says she stresses the importance of the swimsuit lining: it’s what gives the garment a shaping and sculpting effect. Her swimsuits don’t need any of the extra hardware because the double lining creates the perfect silhouette. Check out JADE Swim’s latest lookbook here, and get ready for swimsuit season!
We hope this list of brands we love will help you support a Black-owned business this month and be inspired to seek out others throughout the year! Please let us know what other brands you love so we can join you in supporting them.
]]>For the happiest Valentine’s Day, start with an outfit that makes you feel stunning! Passion Lilie has a beautiful selection of red and pink dresses for the occasion. If you’re a teacher, a mom, or just looking for a date night outfit, we have sweet wrap dresses that hug all the right places and elegant cotton dresses that can be jazzed up or dressed down. Two of our favorites for Valentine’s Day are our Lotus Organic Dress and our Daphne Organic Wrap Dress. Flirty, soft and fun, these dresses will have you in the Valentine’s Day spirit the minute you slip into them.
Not feeling a dress? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Red Kutch Scarf for a Valentine’s Day accessory you can wear all year long. With traditional motifs, a miri border and bouncy tassels, the Red Kutch Scarf is both beautiful and functional. Fun fact: when you purchase a Kutch Scarf from Passion Lilie, you’re supporting artisans who carry on a 600-year tradition of this craft in India. Talk about spreading the love! You can read more about Kutch Weaving here.
For the man in your life, snag a Passion Lilie button down he can wear forValentine’s Day and all through spring. Our Salmon Men’s Button Down makes an excellent option that he can wear any day of the week as well as on special occasions like Valentine’s Day and Easter. Handwoven and hand-dyed, our button downs are so soft and gently tailored for a perfect fit.
Once outfits are picked, it’s time to plan a Valentine’s Day (or Galentine’s Day!) celebration! For a special date night in, set the scene with a table prepared for a scrumptious meal. Start with placemats, then dress up the table with cloth napkins. Add candles and a plant or vase of fresh flowers. Pull down your finest China and glassware. We’ve learned that matching doesn’t matter – putting beautiful pieces together makes for an eclectic and stylish table setting. On Valentine’s Day, what matters most is the thought and care you pour into your plans.
After dinner and dessert have been thoroughly enjoyed, let this sweet evening continue with a movie and snacks. Passion Lilie’s Throw Blanket will add an extra layer to your cozy date night. Wrap it up along with your partner’s favorite sweet treat for a Valentine’s Day gift they will use and love again and again.
Stop by our shop at 831 Chartres Street in New Orleans to pick up some of the locally made and fair trade gifts we have ready to take home! Here’s a small sample of what we have in the shop. Many of our products are available online if you’re not local to New Orleans.
We have tons of handmade Beatrix Bell jewelry in the shop. For Valentine’s Day, be sure to check out her I Love You Necklace and her Links of Love Heart Necklace. These gifts show tons of thoughtfulness: you can pick her favorite color for the I Love You Necklace, or you can choose a significant number of hearts for the Links of Love Necklace (a heart for each child, pet, or year together).
Nothing says romance like a flickering candle! Stop by the shop to find a scent your loved one will adore. Each candle takes you to a special place in New Orleans – Love in City Park, Jazz on Frenchman, and Dreaming on St. Charles are some of our favorites.
Our new shop also carries a selection of room sprays, bath salts, lotions and scrubs from Thistle Farms, a brand we love very much. Give your partner the gift of relaxation and self-care this Valentine’s Day. You can pick up one of the emollient-rich and naturally fragranced hand lotions, a bath soak for aromatherapy and physical relief, and a room spray room spray for a pleasant aroma in any room, closet, drawer, or car.
Thistle Farms is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. They provide a safe place to live, a meaningful job, and a lifelong sisterhood of support. When you purchase these luxurious products, you’re helping to create sanctuary and economic opportunity for women survivors of exploitation.
Heading to a Galentine’s get together? Bring the hostess a little something extra to keep once the bottles have been emptied. There’s an ornament for everyone at the Algiers Point Oyster Company: the art aficionado, the proud New Orleanian, the animal lover, and the religious imagery devotee will all find something to cherish on their tree. Beatrix Bell creates eco-friendly, upcycled oyster shell ornaments and home décor using Louisiana oyster shells. She started this business as a side-hustle during the Covid-19 shutdown, and now the oysters are a beautiful part of our new French Quarter shop.
We know not everyone loves Valentine’s Day, but we’re always up for a reason to celebrate! We hope this list gives you some inspiration and a little bit of excitement for the occasion. Happy Valentine’s Day!
]]>It’s no secret that we love clothes at Passion Lilie. We dream in dress designs; we live for classic silhouettes in handmade fabrics! Clothes are one of the most important ways that we express ourselves and show up in the world, but we know they can also take a toll on our environment. Because of that, Passion Lilie is committed to designing products that have a positive impact on the people who create them and minimizing our impact on the planet.
With sustainability at the forefront of our minds, we want to share a few tips we’ve learned for making the most out of your textiles, along with some of our favorite no-waste Passion Lilie pieces to make this new season even more special.
Why is recycling clothes important?
Imagine a garbage truck packed with clothes – some old, some never worn – tossing a full load of textiles into a landfill every second of every single day. Most of those garments will take years to decompose, and many will never decompose at all. Textiles made of natural fibers will release greenhouse gasses, while the synthetic fabrics that are the hallmark of fast fashion will seep toxic substances into nearby soil and groundwater. With 100 billion garments being produced each year, clothes are rapidly taking over our landfills and our planet.
So, what can we do about it?
First, evaluate the clothes in your closet. Use the age-old trick of asking yourself if you’ve worn each garment within the last year, or Kondo it up by holding the clothes in your hands and determining whether they spark joy. Whatever your preferred method, filter the clothes you’re ready to part into piles: donate, resell, reuse or recycle.
The Donate Pile
Find someone who can love or repurpose your textiles. Most cities have organizations like Goodwill or Salvation Army that can resell donated clothes in their second-hand stores. In New Orleans, Vietnam Veterans of America is an association that will actually pick up your donation from your front porch! It doesn’t get any easier than that. We recommend checking with your favorite local nonprofit to see if they can use what you have to donate. You may be surprised – even animal shelters have textile needs like old towels and blankets!
One organization we love is Free The Girls – if you have new or gently used bras, this would be a great place to consider donating them. Free The Girls focuses on reintegrating women who have been exploited by sex trafficking through micro-entrepreneurship. The organization can recycle your garments to help women establish their own small businesses, ultimately helping them meet their basic needs like food and shelter. The donation process is easy, and just think of the difference you can make with something taking up space in the back of a drawer!
The Resell Pile
With the world embracing second-hand fashion more whole heartedly by the day, reselling your textiles is another excellent option. Apps or online stores like eBay, thredUP, and Poshmark make selling clothes and other items as easy as a trip to the mailbox. Consignment and vintage stores are also good options for making a little bit of cash from your closet cleanup.
The Reuse Pile
There are plenty of other things you can do with unwanted clothes and textiles – it just might take a little creativity! Turn those old t-shirts from college into a t-shirt quilt, make pillows from dresses you no longer wear, or use extra fabric as furoshiki for wrapping gifts and treats. If you’re up for the challenge, you could even consider going paperless in the kitchen and turn old clothes into washrags and paper towel substitutes.
The Recycle Pile
At the end of the day, after you’ve evaluated your closet and sorted clothes into things you can donate, resell or reuse, there will be some items that don’t fall into any of the piles. Goodwill and many other organizations send unsellable clothing to recycling facilities, but you can skip the middleman and take your textiles to a nearby facility yourself, if you prefer.
One important thing to note is that dirt or food on old clothes can soil an entire batch of textiles in the recycling process and hurt the machines as well. Before you take your clothes to the recycling facility, please be sure to send them through a wash cycle at home!
Shop sustainably
Once you’ve put your old clothes in good hands, it’s time to think about how you can make sustainable fashion choices moving forward. Research brands before you buy and look for clothes that you’ll wear for a long time. Find shops that make their clothes from organic or recycled cotton or modal fabrics. Check out our Basil Organic Wrap Dress, for example. It’s a classic silhouette you can wear over and over, made with the softest organic jersey cotton.
When you find a brand you love, shout it from the rooftops! Eco-friendly small businesses like Passion Lilie work hard to ensure the pieces you love are made well and do good for people and ecosystems all over the world. We rely on your positive reviews to keep doing good work.
Passion Lilie’s Favorite No-Waste Products
Reducing our waste is a top priority for the Passion Lilie team, and our goal is to use every single scrap of the fabric our artisan team creates. With that mission in mind, we designed a set of products that turns unused fabric into beautiful things to help you live more sustainably. Check out some of our favorite no-waste options:
Cloth Napkins in Playful Blue: If you like the idea of going paperless in the kitchen, start with these beautiful blue napkins! They’ll instantly brighten up your table, making even a frozen meal from Trader Joe’s feel like a special occasion.
Back to the basics: what is fast fashion?
Fast fashion is a recent phenomenon that is deeply intertwined with the rise of social media. As we began posting pictures every time we left the house, we caved to the notion that repeating outfits was a fashion faux pas. Consumers demanded clothes that mimicked the celebrities and influencers on our feeds. We wanted them cheap, and we wanted them instantly. Factories responded to our demands with trendy clothes we could grab at mainstream stores, wear a few times, and toss.
Why is fast fashion so bad?
Fast fashion is hurting our climate, animals, and the people who make our clothing. Perhaps the first major wakeup call was in 2013, when more than 1,000 people died in a factory that collapsed in Bangladesh. We started to question – was our $8 going out shirt really worth that kind of cost? The human toll of fast fashion is grave. Garment workers are paid far below a living wage to work in dangerous conditions without fundamental human rights like being able to take lunch and bathroom breaks.
The speed and demand of fast fashion leads to cut corners and no regard for global ecosystems. The fashion industry leads the way in water pollution as toxic textile dyes infiltrate clean water with dangerous chemicals.
Cheaper fabrics like polyester intensify the impact of fast fashion, contributing to global warming and increasing levels of plastic in our oceans. We discard our cheap clothes with every new trend, creating massive amounts of waste every year. The devastating impacts on our environment – and the humans and animals that rely on it – cannot be overstated.
What can we do about it?
The “throw away” culture we’ve developed over the last two decades is making us deeply unhappy. It’s exhausting to stay on top of trends, constantly feeling as if we need something new to keep up. So what can we do about it? How can we capture a sense of peace about fashion and our footprint?
First, do not despair. It’s ok to love clothes and fashion! We at Passion Lilie sure do. Resolving to be a more conscious consumer is an excellent step to making a difference in the world. Here are some practical ideas for reducing the amount of fast fashion in your life this year.
If sustainable fashion seems overwhelming, Passion Lilie is here for you! Take one little step at a time, and you’ll be on your way to making a big difference.
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