The Forge

We have some pretty awesome Southern reps for Raven + Lily from The Forge Showroom, located right here in Austin, Texas.  We chose The Forge Showroom because they are incredible, like-minded gals with a passion to promote companies with a social cause.  I love talking about the mission of Raven + Lily and the women in our partnerships, but I’m a terrible salesperson. Thank God for The Forge!  Here’s a little blurb about them:   

The FORGE is not a “what”, but rather a “who”. It’s not a company, but a community - a family.

We are brought together by our common goal to represent brands whose mission is to be a part of restoration and change. This restoration and change can happen by providing medication to those whose medical needs are not being met, by being a whistleblower for peace in Congo, by providing consistent access to fresh water for people groups in the farthest reaches of the earth, by feeding and schooling children in impoverished nations, or by simply using production practices that are good to the earth and to people.

Ultimately, our goal is to help others in need and to use the fashion industry as our medium by which to do so.

Sarah and Jackie, our lovely reps, are totally wonderful gals with great style.  We love them and their enthusiasm to introduce Raven + Lily to key boutiques throughout the south.  They represent 3 other fantastic companies:  FEED Project, Good & Fair, and Jedidiah. If you aren’t already familiar with these great companies, please check them out!  Starting in 2012 The Forge will also be sharing a permanent showroom with Toms Shoes at the Dallas Market.

The Forge has successfully opened accounts for Raven+ Lily with some lovely boutiques.  Some of our favorites (just to name a few) are:

Wildflower Organics (Austin, TX)

Solid Gold (Austin, TX)

One Green Street (Houston, TX)

Milk & Honey Boutique (Dallas, TX)

Shop Good (OK City, OK)

Roots Boutique  (Waco,TX )

Box Turtle (Little Rock, AR)

If you live in one of these cities, be sure to shop R+L at these great Southern stores!  And if you have a store in your city that you think should carry our collection, please let me know!   Of course, you could always tell the store owner about us too!

The moral of this blog: support your locally owned stores this Christmas…especially the ones that carry socially conscious brands like Raven + Lily.  Thank you!

Comments

Fair Trade Month

October is Fair Trade Month!  That means its a great opportunity to support companies like Raven + Lily that focus on making sure the people who create their goods are honored and receive a fair, sustainable income for their work.  

And in case you are wondering what “fair trade” really means, I thought I’d include the blurb from our website:

Fair Trade is a system of exchange that honors producers, communities, consumers, and the environment. It is a model for the global economy rooted in people-to-people connections, justice, and sustainability.  Here’s how Raven + Lily practices fair trade with our partnerships:

  • We seek transparency and accountability in all of our transactions.
  • We encourage our artisans to develop independence.
  • We seek to develop leaders and designers within each partner community.
  • We desire all of our artisans to work in a safe and healthy atmosphere.
  • We respect the environment by sourcing local and/or recycled materials when ever possible.
  • We are intentional in every aspect of our purchasing and pay fair trade wages or above.
  • We encourage our partnerships to help the women start savings accounts with their earnings
  • We return proceeds from our sales to fund education and healthcare programs in our partnership communities 

And in case you are wondering how to support fair trade, here are some fun practical ideas:

EAT + DRINK FAIR!

CARE Coffee and Chocolate- DUO Small Organic Gift Sampler

I LOVE chocolate and coffee.  Our friends at Full Circle Exchange sell some fabulous fair trade products.  The dark chocolate is divine.  I personally love chocolate but feel quite convicted knowing that there are so many children trafficked and forced to work in the coco bean fields of West Africa.  I LOVE knowing I can now find chocolate that honors the growers and doesn’t take advantage of children.  Stores like Whole Foods and others also carry lots of fair trade chocolates!  

BE A FAIR “FASHIONISTA!”

When you need a new accessory, then consider one of our handmade jewelry pieces.  I love seeing people around town wearing our designs!  At our launch party, ladies of all types were wearing their favorite R+L jewelry…from 12 years old to 65!  And they all looked fabulous!!!

Some of my personal favorite fair trade/ethical labels are Andean Collection and Apolis Activivism. 

BE FAIRLY PRACTICAL

Need a journal?  Why not buy one of our beautiful eco-friendly, handmade journals from India that empower women?  Need to send a card to a special someone? Our recycled cotton notecards will surely bless the people who made them as well as the person receiving one.  Need to wash up?  Try heavenly scented hand-milled soaps that support a marginalized Muslim community.

Some of my favorite other online stores that offer a variety of fair trade goods include: Noonday Collection and Ethical Ocean!  Check them out!

Please share your favorite fair trade companies and resources.  I’m always looking out for new fair trade products and companies.

Comments

Austin Fashion Week

Its Austin Fashion week, and last night the historic Driskil Hotel was dripping with designers, fashionistas, and gorgeous gems for the Jewelry Showcase. We were thrilled to be able to introduce our Fall 2011 collection at such an occassion.

My dear friend Tiffany Schwedland made me a lovely tunic to wear to the event.  She’s quite a talented designer, and I’ve always wanted her to make me something.  This was the perfect occassion.  Thank you Tiffany!  I accessorized my silk top with a Raven + Lily clutch, necklace, and belt, of course!

I must say our display area looked lovely, and we seemed to have lots of buzz that evening!  Many thanks to Michelle, Jackie, Sarah, and Lauren for being incredible reps for Raven + Lily that night.  They were amazing!

My new designer friend Dean Fredrick was also showcasing that night.  He’s known as Austin’s “Bada** Jeweler”.  Our studio showrooms are in the same building on 5th street, and he designs gorgeous conflict free diamond rings and bracelets.  He and my husband are rockstars for cheering me on during my presentation.  

As my models were waiting backstage, I quickly gave them the backstory of the designs they were wearing.  They were visibly touched to know they were modeling something so special.  

We were the last company to be showcased.  I like to think of it as the “grand finale” for the event. :) I kept envisioning the Ethiopian women so I wouldn’t be too nervous.   Their beautiful creations on those beautiful models were only a glimpse of their deep beauty. What a joy to share their story!

Comments

Fall/Winter Lookbook

Have you seen our 2011 Fall Lookbook yet?  If not, now is the time to take a peak at our fabulous new collections…available for purchase when we launch our new online store mid August!

                  One of my favorite images from the new lookbook!

We are so grateful for Sophia Lin, co-founder + CCO, for the beautiful design and layout of our fall lookbook.  

And many thanks to the fabulous Esther Havens for all her amazing photographs. Seriously, she is one talented lady, known mainly for her humanitarian photography. 

The beautiful wardrobe is from Hero Crane… a gorgeous LA based independent clothing line.  We love their handcrafted collections.

And of course, our fantastic lead designer, Lori Fox, did all the styling and product merchandising for the photos.

In case you are wondering, our models are from Kenya and Ethiopia.  Aren’t they lovely? We shot on location in Ethiopia, India, and my friend Amy Martinez’s home in Kenya.

I’m so thankful for all these amazing women who contributed to the lookbook and the launch of our new website.  What a collaboration of time, talent, and love! 

Comments
View The Raven + Lily Lookbook Watch Our Story