Why Cottage Industry?
A first version Eloise Dress fitting in progress!
Years ago, I lived in Bozeman, Montana, and worked for Dana Design in their factory building backpacks. I checked buckles and helped manage the last stage of production, doing final inspections. Once a backpack was checked and approved, I had to sign my initials on the tag before it was sent out to stores. Later, I would discover my initials on a backpack in an outdoor store in Maryland, where I grew up.
That personal experience of seeing my initials on a product miles from its origin really stuck with me. Today, my goal is to maintain that level of personal connection for every product sold by Foxlilie. Now in our 5th year, it is second nature to run through a checklist of those original values that run through every aspect of Foxlilie: stylish, durable, sustainable, timeless design, eco-consciousness, and community-building. Instead of worrying about “brand awareness,” . . .
“I hope to make awareness our brand.”
By now most of us have heard words and phrases like – “sustainability” and “eco-conscious” – tossed around so much that they can eventually start to sound like background noise. That’s unfortunate, because these are important principles that should not be reduced to meaningless buzzwords or marketing gimmicks. To push beyond mere buzzwords, I’ve tried to incorporate values like sustainability, eco-friendliness, and community into specific key aspects of Foxlilie’s operations and everyday beating heart.
Everything we do today affects the health of our future, yet far too many businesses fail to consider the larger impact that their products have on the world. The race for cheaper production models may boost short-term profits, but it generates other costs in the long term when we dump our waste into landfills or leave a disproportionately big carbon footprint. Those costs get passed along to everyone—especially the most vulnerable—taking a toll on human health and the livability of the planet. With climate change a real threat to future generations, we have a responsibility to our children to be environmentally responsible in whatever ways we can.
My business follows principles similar to the ones that I live by in my everyday life. I avoid the use of toxic chemicals, and materials whose fabrication involves environmentally destructive practices, seeking out organic and sustainable options for my fabrics instead. In printing my designs and selling my products, I also stay away from chemicals such as oil-based inks, plastics, heavy metals, and harmful retardants.
As the garment industry has changed, shifting to overseas manufacturing and giant retailers like Amazon, local communities and economies have been among the casualties. When we gave up the garment industry to China and Asia years ago, we lost not only the jobs that went with it, but also the community of people that built clothing and made fabric for a living. Foxlilie clothing is manufactured in the United States, not only because I want to support my own community and create jobs here, but also because it is difficult to ensure healthy and positive business practices due to variances in (or lack of) regulation in many other countries. I only employ contractors whose workers are paid a living wage.
For instance, the contractor that cuts and sews my woven fabric styles is a small cottage business located near Longmont, CO, run by an aunt and niece. They employ family members as well as a network of seamstresses whom they share work within the mountain west. Their work is precise and beautifully constructed, and they look out for Foxlilie to ensure that the clothes meet our high standards. This attention to detail and high level of craftsmanship comes with a higher price tag but it is worth the investment knowing that the clothing is in competent hands and made here – connecting us all to the cottage community.
