Here's some insight as to how I became a creative consultant in the field of sustainable apparel design & marketing. I had the unique experience of designing the organic cotton active wear set that made history and led Wal-Mart to becoming the largest single purchaser of organic cotton in the world.
In 2004, while working as a Sustainable Fashion Designer for Duncan Berry, the president of Greensource, a Wal-mart supplier, my team and I designed an entire line of organic cotton yoga wear. Of which, two pieces ~ a vee neck top and a capri pant in pastel colors ~ were ordered by the apparel buyer, Coral Rose, to be sold at Sam's Club (a Wal-Mart division), under the private label of Chaus.
The success of this organic offering helped to inspire Wal-Mart president, Lee Scott, to journey down the Road to Sustainability and to continue in a quest to offer more sustainable products. See the articles below for the infamous story of the organic cotton yoga set that eventually led to a sustainable journey of my own.
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WEARING ECO-POLITICS ON YOUR SLEEVE
New York Times, March 2005
"For the most cost-conscious shopper, Sam's Club will start selling 100 percent organic cotton active wear by Chaus at its 550 stores this month, with prices starting at $10."
{ Fortunately for me, the organic cotton outfit was a success! }
ORGANIC FOR EVERYONE, THE WAL-MART WAY
Fortune Magazine, July 31, 2006
"The pastel-colored yoga tops sold for less than $10, the loose-fitting pants for less than $14. They were a big hit - about 190,000 units sold out in 10 weeks."
THE GREEN MACHINE
Fortune Magazine, August 2006
"Wal-Mart's campaign has already turned the small world of organic cotton upside down, thanks in part to Coral Rose, a ladies' apparel buyer for Sam's Club. In spring 2004 - just before Wal-Mart held its first meeting with CI - Rose ordered a yoga outfit made of organic cotton for Sam's Club; the tops sold for about $14, the loose-fitting pants for $10. The 190,000 units sold out in ten weeks. That got (Wal-Mart's CEO) Lee Scott's attention."
{ The rest is, as they say...history! }
Well, actually, I continued working at the Greensource designing organic cotton product offerings for Sam's Club. Examples included infant wear, more ladies wear for Chaus, and more active wear under the Champion label. During that time, Greensource also began working directly with Wal-mart and the newly founded Sustainable Textiles Network to educate and aid the Wal-mart Supply Chain on the use of organic cotton and alternative fibers.
At present, Greensource continues to develop organic cotton programs with the Wal-Mart Apparel and Home product development teams. Initial organic cotton programs that I worked on consisted of infant wear, bedding and bath towels for both the Sam's Club warehouse and Wal-mart store.
In January of 2006, I decided that I needed a break from all the action and left Greensource. Shortly after, however, because of my work at the Greensource, I was contacted by the Sustainable Textiles Network at Wal-Mart to help the product development (PD) teams understand the lifestyle of the organic shopper and to help design product for them. Watch the video below to learn more about the Sustainable Textile Network.
Since then I have developed seasonal color & trend direction, made presentations to PD teams in New York, initiated earth friendly marketing campaigns, created sustainable trust marks and messaging, designed artwork & packaging for organic products and even rendered merchandising signage and displays.
In March of 2006, I formed LotusHaus, LLC as a creative services studio to house all of my creative endeavors. Since then, my work has expanded to projects with other sustainable firms in the style & entertainment industries, such local fashion designers, boutiques, wellness providers, salons & spas, and hip hop collectives.
You can view a sampling of my work in the pages under the Portfolio section. Also, be sure to check my Blog for daily inspiration as well as new posts containing my most recent work.
