FASHION BY THE RULES: Tee Time

Well it is going to be Tee time before we know it, at least once all this winter weather disappears. The one good thing is that it is always Tee time almost everywhere. The tee shirt has become an all year item whether it is layered or worn on its own. This week is about two companies which offer tees and some complimentary items which might be of interest.

Rizumu ( www.rizumuplanet.com ) is the brain child of a former movie marketing executive who started this lifestyle brand of tees and accessories after being drawn back to his first love, fashion. The company focuses on the DJ culture with special attention paid to comic book art complete with featured graphic artists. There are even pieces of jewelry which are included and now Pauly D from The Jersey Shore (MTV) has been caught wearing it. It’s a must have for yourself or the totally connected music lover in your life. My favorite piece is the multi zip sweat jacket, and the best part is that it is totally unisex so everyone can have it.

Manaomakani ( www.manaomakani.com ) is the brainchild of an industry veteran who has spent his life creating clothes for the Gap, Express, and Esprit to name a few. Now he wants to give back to the environment and has created this collection of TOTALLY ecologically and environmentally friendly tees and hoodies. It is amazing that the entire manufacture is “green” as well as all the part and materials, which is really rare as most companies boast eco-friendly materials and then are made in the hell hole factories of China, but these products are 100% green and made in San Francisco. The company even gives back financially after each purchase. The bottom line is, you get to do your part for the environment as well as own a truly spiritual article of clothing. Read the history on their site and be motivated to help beautify the world in the literal and figurative sense. ALOHA for this week.

Don’t forget to look for me on Facebook, www.examiner.com/ ,or http://datingsymbol.com/category/beauty-and-fashion/.

Ten Minutes with Jonäno designer Bonnie Siefers

 

For Bonnie Siefers, the designer behind the brand Jonäno, eco-consciousness is not just a buzz word, it’s a lifestyle. With a wide range of offerings–from romantically shirred maxi dresses to soft, slouchy tees to flirty, figure-flattering skirts–in a slew of environmentally friendly fabrics, Jonäno is the perfect one-stop shop for fashionistas seeking stylishly “green” wardrobes. What makes Jonäno especially unique is that in addition to a line for baby ecostylistas, the site also features a line of mix ‘n’ match hospital scrubs made from bamboo and hemp linen. Here’s more from the Pittsburgh native on her mindful interpretation of ecochic.

Oligoville: Tell us about your brand and how it is different from your competition.

Bonnie Siefers: In a nutshell I think the best adjective that describes the uniqueness of the Jonäno brand and lifestyle would be mindful. At Jonäno we strive to make thoughtful and ethical choices everyday. For example, Jonano chooses only organically grown natural fibers to create our trademark eco fabric collections. Jonäno is constantly searching out the cutting edge of new eco fabrics—like our ecoKashmere organic bamboo and eColorgrown organic cotton collections—both awarded the best of the best by Material ConneXions.

The elements and materials used in the Jonäno product lines come from crops like bamboo, flax, cotton, coconut, and, coming this fall, corn and peace silk. All of these raw materials are carefully chosen and are certified organically grown, renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable. Jonäno’s choice of a green and socially responsible fulfillment center emphasizes our commitment to implementing environmental sustainability and social responsibility along every step of the path. From the material elements that we select to create Jonäno eco chic collections to the recycled tissue paper and reusable zip packaging we use to protect garments for shipping, we strive to make mindful choices everyday.

Oligoville: How did your career or interest in design begin?

Bonnie: A personal passion to make an impact that speaks to my values and ethics is the driving force behind our company. I began the Jonäno brands at a point in my personal life when I took pause to reevaluate what is really important to me in life. True happiness does not come from without but instead from within. As I reflected on what had shaped my values and talents the wonderful inheritance that I have received from my parents stood out. Raised in a family that placed high value on honesty, work, frugality, and all things natural/ long-lasting/creative, I developed an enduring belief that clean, hard, and honest work that also celebrates creative talents can ultimately bring true joy to my daily life and give long-term satisfaction that life has been a meaningful journey. The concept of Jonäno evolved out of this personal inner exploration, and a company that strives to be innovative and forward thinking in terms of fabrics, style, and business ethics became my personal passion.

Oligoville:  What’s your design inspiration?

Bonnie: As an eco-designer, I’m inspired by my love for the environment, Scandinavian Modern styling, and timeless fashion. I worked as an artist, product designer, and entrepreneur in Paris, Stockholm, and Los Angeles and currently reside with musician-husband and life partner, Mark Huggins, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Raised in a family that placed a high value on honesty, work, frugality, and all things natural, long-lasting, and creative, I credit my Scandinavian Modern styling to the wonderful inheritance of values I received from my family, friends, and teachers.

My style is sleek and minimalistic with a focus on the architecture of the body. I strive to impact the world of fashion with organic clothing creations for the body and soul that are timeless in design, long lasting, and that become those wardrobe favorites you reach for time and time again.

Oligoville:  Describe a typical day for you.

Bonnie: I live and work in a treehouse-style studio in Pennsylvania, not far from where I was born and raised. My routine always begins with a french press of organic and fair trade coffee, and yes, I drink a whole french press—my only drug of choice. I ground and focus while giving love to my family of furry friends and wonderful partner. As a designer and entrepreneur my work day is different every day.  Tasks range from developing collections to connecting with media and buyers to traveling to our manufacturing facilities worldwide.  I’ve been traveling extensively throughout the USA, Central and South America, Asia, and Africa searching out the best farms, mills, and factories to create our collections. These visits are very important to me as I strive to incorporate local talents and crafts into each collection in honor of the artisans who keep the craft alive. A great example of this can be found in the fields of Brazil, where Jonäno eColorgrown Collections were created, drawing inspiration for the hand-tied embroidery from skilled artisans who offer handcrafted tatting, embroidery, and macramé learned and passed down through the generations.

Oligoville:  Describe your fashion style.

Bonnie: It has evolved over time, but a common thread, if you’ll pardon the pun, is the incorporation of handmade and found elements into my personal style.  As far back as I can remember my own mother taught me to knit and sew free form. By the time I reached adolescence I was creating my own fashion, from sketch illustration to finished piece. Streamlined design has always inspired me and lies at the heart of my creativity. Jonäno collections reflect the mélange of romantic ecochic with Scandinavian streamlined styling that is the brand signature.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned from that.

Bonnie: Definitely the most challenging hurdle I have faced so far is the tough economic climate. This has affected not only me and our growing brand but also my work partners, my friends, and my family.  My husband and I try hard to work together with our work partners to find solutions to our challenges. The best part of my job lies in connecting with wonderful people who share my core values and desire to make positive changes. For this I am very thankful.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Bonnie: I am blessed with a wonderful interconnection with others that has developed along every step the path. Every day I have opportunities to engage in creative dialogue, a conversation, metaphorically speaking, that I have not only with my family, friends, and work partners but also the people who choose Jonäno eco fashion to be a part of their own wardrobes. They give me the energy and fuel my own personal passion and creative drive. My musician husband is a big part of the conversation.  The love that we share for the arts has only strengthened our individual talents, his in music and mine in design. Often when I develop the written descriptions of pieces I reach for musical adjectives as a way of stepping outside of my visually based sensory comfort zone. Each day when I wake up I reflect that if I stay connected in the moment and strive to make mindful choices I cannot fail.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years and some of the goals that you have for your brand.

Bonnie: “Eco” is not just a buzz word anymore. Ecodesign is mainstream and growing. Jonäno is involved in the introduction of new sustainable fabric collections, such as Begonia Silk and Energy Satin, and our fall collection, BLOOM, was recognized by Womens Wear Daily in their fall fashion focus.  Additionally, Jonäno has been approached by a major celebrity to work on a licensed deal for specialty tee shirts. We believe that the Jonäno brand is well-positioned to lead the way in this next generation of ecofashion.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Bonnie Siefers: I credit much of the building of the Jonäno brand to local Pittsburgh talent and nonprofit organizations who invested time and effort into helping local small businesses achieve success. There is a real advantage to starting and developing a business in a region that cares enough to support small businesses and that has organizations that are dedicated to helping small businesses grow.  The real strength of a business is its foundation. By drawing from the expertise of seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals we were able to avoid making costly mistakes.

 

Oligoville:  What song never fails to make you happy?

Bonnie: “What a Wonderful World” sung by Louis Armstrong.

Trend Report: Neon

 

What’s hot this Summer and Fall 2009? Neon and it was evident as it  showed up brightening the runways at New York Fashion Week. And while European lines on the other hand featured less of these bright shades, they certainly enbraced the neon trend in last month’s issue of VOGUE. 

“This season’s explosive new shades pack a powerful punch. Tangerine, citrine and dynamic neons make for a tangy combination, as bold colour- block dresses light up the night.”

See one of their neon dresses below, combining two of the latest trends, bright, bold color and geometric patterns.

 

 If you have read anything in the past couple months in industry publications you can see all the fashion influential designers such as Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Diane Von Furstenberg experiment with these styles and color.

Neon bright hues of orange, yellow, pink and blue are everywhere for summer, for those that enjoy the spotlight and all the attention that comes with it. Ranging from bags, jewelry and clothes, this shiny hue will be the highlight of our closets whether we chose to indulge in a little or a lot of this fashion heat wave. 

According to my very credible and unidentified sources;  “Bold colors will continue to dominate fashion trends. Bright oranges and blues were present on most catwalks. Whether worn as part of the outfit or as an accessory, these statement colors will undoubtedly help fashionable women and men express their style and personality.”

Yes, don’t let your boyfriends or gay husbands escape this trend, embrace it! I especially loved the neon pink scarf seen at fashion week wrapped around a very handsome Hilfiger model. Hot neon scarfs are a guarenteed way to stay warm on cool fall nights. And oversized geometric jackets and shalls were seen draped around the female models stretching neon into (count it) three seasons for fashionistas with vibrant, vivd florescent color.

 

 

 The LA Times recently reported on the neon craze, “A trend that started on the street, it’s now filtered up to the runway with Michael Kors’ sporty, traffic-cone-orange sweater and fox fur coat, Narciso Rodriguez’s acid-yellow bandage dress and Marc Jacobs’ electric-blue scuba-inspired poncho. A pop of color is all you need to liven up the neutrals in your wardrobe. No cash for flash? Hit the drugstore and pick up some neon lipstick or nail polish instead. Viva the 1980s.”

While I am not so sure about the neon lipstick, I do know that a splash of neon color can instantly update and refresh your wardrobe. This is also an ideal way for ladies used to blacks and neutrals to try out hints of color through accessories or a new skirt with a white/neutral top.   

One fashion writer consurs and gives caution, “Neon is on the rise. But don’t get too excited, you don’t want end up like nineties roadkill. Instead, what you’re aiming for is a subtle flash of neon, a wonderful spring glow. Chances are you’ve already thrown out brightly colored scarves, blouses maybe even your neon Pez dispensers. You only need a small amount of color to make a statement. Bright colors can be mixed and matched too for a bolder look.”

Wow Pex dispensers, I don’t think they will make a big come back this year but now you all have been educated on the neon trend, not just for Spring 2009 but Summer and Fall as well.

I’ll leave you with this last comment on how this bright trend can instant dull your fashion sense.

If you aren’t all over neon, start by mixing and matching becasue even the most confident diva can have a hard time puilling off a complete neon outfit. Be smart, use age appropriate colors and ladies, it feels “wrong” in front of the mirror, chances are you might be right.  

XOXO

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