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I am a writer and executive administrator for Trusted Clothes, which is an ethical and sustainable fashion organization. The following is a series devoted in honor of the work done in collaboration with the Schroeckers and the Trusted Clothes team. Part 2 here, and 1 here.
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What makes Annaborgia unique?
Annaborgia is unique in its simplicity. Our minimalist lines and classic palette transition easily from day to evening, spring to fall, wedding day to resort.
Annaborgia is an ethical luxury brand – with an emphasis on cruelty-free and toxic-dyes-free fashion – for conscious fashionistas. What defines ethical luxury brands and conscious fashionistas?
For a business, use of the term “Ethical Fashion” includes many different ethical standards, including those affecting the environment, labor rights, and the avoidance of animal sufferings. At Annaborgia, we make our best efforts to follow all these ethical standards, while creating a long-standing luxury garment. The “Conscious Fashionista” is our ideal buyer; someone who loves style, but with the same intensity cares for the environment, respects animals, and is concerned about labor rights and therefore, considers all these aspects when shopping.
One part of ethical fashion comes from luxe minimalist designs for each season. You have all women on staff. How does this inform the minimalist styles for each season?
We’re actually trying to veer away from the seasonal concept of fashion collections. Our concept is to build a capsule wardrobe collection (and keep adding to it) of essentials that will never go out of style, making Annaborgia the go-to brand for women that are not interested in following short lived trends. This is also a way to empower women to focus on more important issues within the fashion industry. Women are naturally nurturing and sensible, and so far they have been the main force of the “Slow Fashion” movement.
You have hopes to influence the wedding fashion industry as well – to make it sustainable. How might this extended plan of action work out in the next few years?
It’s hard to break rules in the wedding industry. It’s a well-oiled machine and the mainstream bride dreams of a princess like wedding day. It’s only natural. We’re here to support a small (but growing) portion of the public that wants to integrate sustainability into their important day, and all the unconventional brides that are not in tune with the “classic wedding attire” concept. I think we need valuable alternatives for this minority, and by offering styles that can be easy to transition into everyday life, we’re actually adding more value to their investment. In a few years, I want to look back and see Annaborgia among the pioneers of the Wedding Fashion Revolution.
The creativity begins in Italy with you. It is developed in the San Francisco Bay Area. Why Italy and San Francisco? What are the operational steps in this developmental process?
When I am in Italy caring for my sister, I find some time to design, and with the help of a pattern maker I study with, I make the first prototypes. Then I let my skilled Californian team develop the final patterns and samples. Our in-house team is equipped for small production runs and we rely on local manufacturers for larger orders. We love to support local businesses! Being close to our manufacturers also allows us to have better control on quality standards.
What meaning or personal fulfillment does this creative work bring for you?
Besides the excitement of seeing my ideas brought to life, I think the ethical aspect of offering a cruelty-free product is a major drive. As a Vegan, I have a way to show the world we can dress with style without having to harm animals for our own frivolous needs.
With regard to companies like Annaborgia, what is its personal and professional importance to you?
Vegan companies do not just offer cruelty-free clothes; they tend to promote an outlook on a cruelty-free lifestyle. It’s like we have a moral responsibility that goes beyond simply selling clothes.
Annaborgia has a blog, too. What is the content and purpose of the blog?
I write about Annaborgia’s designs and milestones, I share personal thoughts on ethical fashion related issues, and I feature interviews with wedding experts or vegan lifestyle influencers. At Annaborgia, we share with our readers why we are so passionate about a cruelty-free lifestyle and if we can inspire and influence them to incorporate cruelty-free choices into their lives, it’ll be a small contribution to make us feel like we’re going into the right direction. It’s important to me to make a difference in this world, especially in these troubled times where humanity seems to have lost their way. With our Ethical Fashion we are simply saying “do no harm.”
Thank you for your time, Daniela.
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Original publication on www.trustedclothes.com.
All images courtesy of www.trustedclothes.com.