At The Top...
Greetings from Joshua Tree!
Just back from a few days of shooting photos in California desert and, wow, I'm still thinking about this sunset. 🙌
Our emotional connections with nature can be incredibly rich and, in the run-up to launching our new consulting and advisory services, Lauren and I have been talking quite a bit about how our primal feelings for the natural world might shape the future of design. Case in point: Recent fires in the Amazon started by Brazilian ranchers have not only stirred a global environmental outcry, but deeper reflections on how the consumer appetite for beef and leather goods fanned those flames. The voices of indigenous peoples, whose land and cultures are threatened by the escalating, man-made disaster of unchecked development, are also starting to be considered — which is fortunate for all of us since, you know, they have centuries of experience in how to use botanical materials to manufacture things in non-destructive ways.
We know it's easy to tune out the news when you see how much more still needs to be done, so Lauren added some links below in the Recommended Resources section for people interested in positive ways they can engage on the Amazon fires. Hope you enjoy this issue and hit "Reply" to this email if you'd like to let us know what you think!
New on THE KINDCRAFT
THE KINDCRAFT Advisory Services
Speaking of working to make a positive impact — THE KINDCRAFT offers advisory and design services to brands, cultural institutions, retailers, manufacturers, and publishers. We have a whole network of experts who, like us, want to promote the use of ethical design processes and the celebration of cultural heritage. Use our contact form to tell us about your project (or just reply to this email) and we'll start tailoring a proposal to your specific needs and budget.
Sponsored Events
Explore the Crafts of the San Blas Islands!
We're positively envious of anyone who gets to join Thread Caravan's upcoming trip to the San Blas islands. Located off Panama's coast, the islands are administered by the Guna — an indigenous people famous for their colorful appliqué embroidered mola textiles. This mindfully-crafted itinerary, created in partnership with the local community, gives guests unique entry into Guna culture through workshops and activities... as well as plenty of time to swim and snorkel in that crystal-blue Caribbean water while staying on a sailboat. Last we heard, only two cabins remain—so reserve your spot now!
“Weaving Four Corners: The Art of Navajo Basketry”
As someone from Arizona, I was especially pleased to see Twofold Travel's newest immersive cultural journey takes place in the American Southwest. “Weaving Four Corners: The Art of Navajo Basketry” (April 20 - 28, 2020) explores the history and landscape of the spectacular Four Corners area with a focus on Navajo culture and contemporary basket-weaving. Two renowned Navajo artists will teach you basket weaving and special excursions include a guided tour through iconic Monument Valley, curator-led tours of two museums, an introduction to rock-art iconography, and a visit to the archeological ruins in Bears Ears National Monument. This tour is limited to 11 guests, so register today!
Textile Tuesday + Sustainable Manufacturing Workshops
Our friends at Study NY have put together a new series of sustainability-themed events and are offering a special discount code for our readers. Enter 'KINDCRAFT' at checkout for 10% off all upcoming events — including this workshop in Los Angeles which Lauren is planning to attend (see... you already know somebody who's going!)
Events — North America
New York Textile Month
September is New York Textile Month! Edited by Li Edelkoort, this city-wide festival celebrates textile creativity with a full roster of fascinating events (including the MET's Phenomenal Nature: Mrinalini Mukherjee, pictured here, which we've heard was especially wonderful). (NYC — September)
Events — Europe + MENA
CHART Art + Design Fair
Building on Copenhagen’s strongholds of art, design and architecture, CHART explores the cross-fields between contemporary artistic practices. Presenting an art and a design fair, a number of curated exhibitions and a vast public programme of talks, film screenings, concerts and performances, CHART offers a single entry point to the Nordic art and design scene.
From Surface's feature about the event:
"To say they were revolutionary is an understatement—their use of warm, thoughtful materials and traditional craftsmanship continues to imbue spaces around the world with ease and comfort."
(Copenhagen, Aug. 30 — Sep. 1)
Product Spotlight
Block-Printed Scarf + Bandana Set
Our SUMMER SALE is wrapping up — Get our iconic hand block-prints, indigo-dyed notebooks, tote bags, and more ethically-made goods now!
Style
Isabel Toledo, Fashion Designer, Passes Away at 59
Vanessa Friedman's obituary for the NY Times has so many lovely details which underpin the “romantic mathematics” of the Cuban-American designer's work:
“I just, I love design. Design is so different than fashion. That’s why design lasts forever. It’s like an engineer. I love to engineer a garment.” ✌️
Why Bayeux Chic Will Be the Next Big Fashion Trend
“So what’s behind this throwback to the very old school? Fashion historian Tony Glenville thinks it ties in to the resurgence of crafts more broadly.”
Renting Your Clothes Is Really the Best
Everyone is renting their clothes now. Would you do it, too?
Shutting Down Fashion Week is Not the Answer
Orsola de Castro imagines a future where fashion week becomes a hub of ethical sustenance.
Bonus Link: Read our interview with Orsola here.
Business + Entrepreneurship
From Ikea to Gap, Firms Aim to Use Scarce Water More Wisely
There's a strong business case for sustainability:
"With population growth and climate change making water a scarcer resource, companies say using water wisely is key to remaining profitable ."
G7 and Fashion Houses Join Forces to Make Clothes More Sustainable
Two takes on the recent G7 Summit — one by The Guardian and another by Euronews — where more than 30 fashion companies signed a pact committing to zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, sustainable sourcing of raw materials, and 100 percent use of renewable energy in their supply chains by 2030. Note: There's nothing legally binding about this agreement, so it will probably require continued public pressure to make sure the brands live up to their promises here.
South India's Kolam Art Helps Women Map Business Opportunities
Great story about an artistic mapping project that's helped more than 5,000 women earn a sustainable income.
Sustainability + Labor
When It Comes to Sustainability, Hemp Is The Fabric of Fashion's Future
Though there's nothing new about hemp, we agree that "ecological fashion should be the norm.”
BREAKING: Timberland, Vans and The North Face will stop using Brazilian leather in Amazon protest
I'm curious to learn how much of their leather was sourced in Brazil before this announcement, but VF is a massive player and, regardless, this puts a spotlight on any brand not following suit.
Is Walmart doing enough to protect workers in its supply chain?
Spoiler Alert: No, they aren't... but they are starting to move in the right direction:
"By the retail giant's own count, it involves some 100,000 suppliers. If truly understanding the size of that network of manufacturers, distributors, subcontractors and so on is difficult, monitoring the goings on of each firm in detail is truly daunting."
Bosses Force Female Workers Making Jeans for Levis and Wrangler Into Sex
Women at factories in Lesotho owned by Taiwanese firm say jobs and promotions in jeopardy if they refuse advances, claims report
How Sustainable Design is Changing Hotels, Cruises, and Even Safaris
Condé Nast Traveler's Alex Postman looks at how some high-end hospitality groups are providing more eco-friendly experiences for their guests.
Wrapping Up / Looking Ahead
Share Your Stories + Sponsor Our BRIEF!
THE KINDCRAFT is always looking for original stories about sustainability, craft, and design. Use our online submission form to send us your pitch.
We want to thank Thread Caravan, Twofold Travel, and Study NY for sponsoring this issue of the BRIEF and, if you want to share your own upcoming projects/events with our readers, here's a link to find out more.
And if you enjoy these newsletters, please support THE KINDCRAFT by joining our Patreon community, buying something from our online shop, and following on Facebook, Instagram, Apple News, and Twitter.