Designer Spotlight: Feral Childe

This week at Jute & Jackfruit, we’re excited about designs by Feral Childe. Created by  bi-coastal duo Moriah Carlson and Alice Wu, these beautiful clothes are all produced in New York City. What makes Feral Childe so special is the designer’s “thoughtful choice of materials and attention to quality construction to make smart, wearable silhouettes for forward-thinking women.” With their playful patterns and silhouettes, comfortable fabrics, and serious style, we know you’ll love their designs too!

Feral Childe’s Olivetti Top and Hand-printed Micro Modal Leggings are an adorable combination for a comfortable summer outfill, and will transition well into the fall. The lightweight, button-up top is a fresh take on a classic style with a asymmetrical hemline and contrasting trim. Not only are these beautiful leggings incredibly comfortable, but they’re also one-of-a-kind! They will definitely become a wardrobe staple.

Feral Childe’s Silk Adrienne Tank is also a great transition piece. The tangerine color is playful and features a whimsical design that is great for the office, a casual weekend outfit, or a night out. The design has been hand-painted on the silk fabric, creating another truly original piece. As the weather starts cooling off (or in an over air-conditioned office!), cover up with Feral Childe’s beautiful and versatile Pocket Cardigan. Made from 100% organic cotton, you’ll can wear this luxuriously soft piece year round!

For whimsical takes on classic styles, look no further than Feral Childe. We can’t get enough of their easy-to-wear styles and adorable prints!

By: Amy Wright

Designer Spotlight: Kelly Lane

Here at Jute & Jackfruit, we get to work with some brilliant designers who inspire us with their creativity and commitment to the environment and sustainable practices. In honor of the first official days of summer, this post celebrates Kelly Lane, a designer with an eye for bold color and stylish, comfortable compositions.

Kelly Lane was formally trained as a graphic designer, and makes use of color, print, and line in her work. Bold and bright colors are a huge trend this season, and we love the way she combines them with beautiful patterns, such as in her Drip Dress and Coral Raindrop Dress, shown below.

Each of Kelly Lane’s collections focuses on dresses, but also includes pieces such as jackets and belts. These whimsical pieces are a great addition to any outfit, and will definitely get you noticed!

As with all of our designers at Jute & Jackfruit, Kelly Lane is dedicated to sustainability. “Artful sophistication with an eye toward sustainability is at the heart” of all her collections, which are made from eco-friendly fabrics and ethically produced in the USA.

We truly appreciate Kelly Lane’s commitment to beautiful, colorful, and eco-friendly clothing. Make sure to check out her collection!

Made in America

Fourth of July is right around the corner! Whether you have a getaway planned or are gearing up for some backyard barbecue and fireworks, we know you’ll be sporting red, white and blue. This year, why not trade in your flag t-shirt for something that truly shows off your patriotism? The best way to show off your American spirit is to support designers who make beautiful, organic clothing right here in the USA.

You’ll look patriotic and stylish in Feral Childe’s Serpent Collar Blouse. This light-weight blouse features delicate details and an adorable print. And each top is one-of-a-kind, so you will definitely stand out from the crowd! We think it looks great with Earth Creation’s Luscious Leggings; these are great for everyday wear and will keep you comfortable all night.

Or why not try this gorgeous, organic outfit from Stewart+Brown? You’ll be beautiful in blue with their Eva Smock Waist Dress, which transitions perfectly from a casual daytime piece to the perfect summer party dress. The moroccan blue print, made from an organic hemp spandex blend, also comes in an adorable high-waisted skirt. And because even summer nights can get chilly, make sure to cover up with Stewart+Brown’s Etta Scarf Cardigan. This unique piece can be worn in a variety of ways, making it a must-have for your closet!

So this Independence Day, show your true colors and support of American fashion. Have a happy Fourth of July holiday in some fabulous, eco-friendly clothes made right here in the USA.

By Amy Wright

Hemp Fabric: An Eco-Friendly Choice

Hemp has been grown for over 12,000 years to provide both food and fabric. The textile is naturally organic, and is made from cannabis sativa fiber, or industrial fiber. It has proven to be a reliable and comfortable textile, and its use is growing in the eco-fashion world. Pure hemp feels similar to linen, making in an ideal summer fabric.

Raw Hemp Fiber (Source: Hemp Traders)

Hemp is a great fiber because it can be blended with other fabrics to create different textures and feels. While there are several 100% pure hemp items at Jute & Jackfruit, such as Earth Creations wrap shown below, many items are made from hemp blends. The featured Feral Childe skirt is made from a hemp cotton blend, but other popular varieties include blends with wool and silk.

Because of the luxurious nature of silk, hemp silk blends create beautiful fabrics and are ideal for special items, such as wedding dresses. Conscious Clothing has been making environmentally-friendly hemp silk wedding attire since 1995. The company believes that by wearing the fabric on her wedding day, “a woman is honoring not only the sacredness of her commitment to her partner, but also the very sacred connection that we all share with our planet.” We couldn’t agree more with this statement, and find their commitment to eco-friendly practices — not to mention their beautiful dresses — something to celebrate!

Hemp has proven to require less energy and resources than other fabrics, including organic cotton. Hemp is very fast growing, and produces high yields: the plant is thought to produce 250% more fiber than cotton using the same amount of land (ecogreen4us). In fact, according to Beyond Organic: Innovations in Sustainable Apparel by Mark Heiman, “Evaluating cotton across its complete production cycle makes it clear that when compared with alternatives, such as hemp, bamboo, or other growth crops, it is a highly energy and resource intensive process.”

So given the environmental benefits of hemp, what are some other great options for summer? We love Feral Childe’s Fornasetti Pinafore, made from hemp and organic cotton. This versatile, lightweight piece looks great over Stewart + Brown’s Cropped Cinch Leggings (made from a hemp spandex blend) or on its own. Thankfully, they are perfect for any season, because you’ll never want to take these incredibly comfortable leggings off!

By: Amy Wright