Some say the best
creations come when you work in collaboration with another, whether it be a
friend, a work acquaintance, another brand, or your other half! This is exactly
how Blluemade was born, by a husband and wife team, Alex Robins and Lilly
Lampe.
Stunning
classic silhouettes made from 100% linen offer a fit which is comfortable and
sleek especially great in these hotter summer months. Their first men's collection, inspired by traditional silhouettes from past decades for example
their short sleeved shirt pointed-collars were taken from 1950s rockabilly musicians
who performed in Memphis. The brand offers beautiful designs which are made from sustainable fabrics, taking the slow fashion route, that I feel more brands should adopt.
I fell in love with
brand firstly because it's slow fashion, and secondly because I feel to get classic simple shapes right takes a lot of skill something,
which, this duo have smashed!! I caught up with Lilly and Alex to quiz them on what
it's like working with your partner and where they are taking the brand.
Why did you both
decide to get into fashion and what do you love about your job?
Lilly--I've always
been interested in fashion and have made my own clothes from an early age but
our line really came out of our mutual love of art and travel. We were
traveling in Southeast Asia with plans to see art, meet with curators, artists,
and other writers, visit family... all in sweltering July. I needed
travel-ready, quality clothes that worked in every situation, and that felt true
to my style. I couldn't find any, so I made my own. That led to me making a set
of linen shirts and dresses, which were the foundation for our first
collection! High-quality linen was so satisfying to wear--comfortable,
wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, elegant and sophisticated--and we felt like
the clothes we wanted to wear weren't on the market. We've both become
increasingly interested in wearing and purchasing sustainable clothes made at
ethical standards--clothes you can wear dozens if not hundreds of times, which
get better with age because they're well-made from quality textiles, and you
can feel good about wearing them because you know where they're coming from.
We're really excited to be a part of change in the fashion industry, and to be
manufacturing a product that feels new and fresh while rooted in
tradition.
Describe your working
day?
Alex-- I get up and
make coffee, and then it's immediately to work checking emails. We often head
to the Garment District in the late morning to check on production, samples,
and patterns, and then it's home to go over numbers, check in with vendors,
ship orders... all the demands of a small fashion business. Everyday is a
little different, which keeps things fun and exciting.
What do you like about
working with your partner and what are the biggest frustrations?
Alex-- Part of the
reason we started this business is that we wanted to work together. When we
were writing full-time we would often be at the same table, but heads-down at
different computers. Now we get to share projects, and collaborate, which is
great.
Lilly-- I don't think
we have any frustrations about working together. I can't recommend it for
everyone, but we're really good partners in business as well as in life.
What's been your highlight
since starting the brand?
Alex--Now that we're
doing menswear, we've realized that there aren't many other brands doing slow
fashion menswear as there are doing women's, so it feels like we've stumbled
upon another niche within the niche of quality linen garments.
Lilly--I'd add that we
started out thinking we'd do all e-commerce--we're slow fashion, so not on the
traditional wholesale calendar--but had several stores reach out to us to carry
our line, which was unexpected and really pleasant and encouraging surprise.
Advice to any others
starting out?
Lilly--Believe in your
own abilities. It's scary starting out, and there are often early moments where
you have to keep your momentum going in spite of doubts. Also, be game to learn
by mistake, and try to learn everything. There's a lot you can do without
outsourcing, and oftentimes it's better that way. No one else will understand
your own brand and line like you do, so you're going to be your own best
advocate. Embrace it!
Five items you can't
live without?
Alex--coffee brewed in
our Clever Dripper coffee maker, an e-reader, heavyweight denim (currently
wearing Leftfield), a linen shirt, and my glasses.
Lilly--My phone. I can
do almost everything I need to do on it. That, and a sketchbook and writing
implement. Add to that lip balm and a full water bottle, and I'm set for the
day.
The lovely duo, Alex and Lilly..
Love how you capture such inspirational moments in your photos
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