YesPleaseMore: Starter Grants

Megan Lane said...

It is so good to see a young person thinking about sustainability. This gal has talent and a serious commitment to a better choice. She deserves your vote. D. Lane

Stacie Knapp said...

Off topic...your model looks like Kate from Lost. :)

Kathy Peebles said...

The natural fabrics have always been the best they wear better add to the design. Bamboo fabric as you have stated is a renewable fiber as well as silk. And wool is my favorite. Quality has a cost but with your goal to purchase in larger quanities, this should be reduced. What a great way to take your wonderful designs and style to a larger audience!

hol sum said...

Hi Seemore,
Thanks for asking a good, challenging question.
I don't currently use eco-sensitive fabric, so that's half of what this grant proposal is about.
The other half of the proposal is about making a big step into the retail market in Denver.
Up to this point, I've only sold clothing to clients who have commissioned specific pieces and we choose fabric based on their budget. Eco-friendly fabric is more expensive, and in most cases, their choice is for the "cheaper" fabrics. Why are "NON-eco-friendly" fabrics less expensive? Please check out this article for a great outline:
http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2006/12/the_high_cost_o.html

That same blog covers as many fabric/textile/fashion eco-sensitive points as one would like to know! I think it's an awesome resource.
Here’s the link again: http://organicclothing.blogs.com

But back to the question, as though you framed it as "What would you LIKE to do? What's the plan?" and “What’s the cost?”

I'd like to use bamboo fabrics. There are sometimes issues with bamboo fabric processing - due to harsh chemicals used to break down the woody material, but the bamboo plant itself is known to be sustainable, pest resistant, and easy to grow. That's a start.

I would also like to use more silk. Whether the caterpillar lives or dies in production, the impact on the environment is minimal as compared to fibers such as cotton and man-made fibers. Also, silk takes on dyes very well, whether natural or synthetic, so the chemical processing is less intense.

I’ll also use wool and other animal fibers. Fortunately, wool or animal hair can be collected without seriously harming the animal, and some farmers raise their animals on organic diets and in humane conditions.

The discussion about eco-friendly fabric will go on forever concerning issues labeled: organic, sustainable, human health, environmental impact, chemical safety, local, domestic, etc. I can’t buy the perfect eco-friendly fabric, but I have intentions to do the best I can.

As for the money,
Making something by hand is already expensive. I too experience the difficulty of paying $50 for a dress at Target versus paying $300 for a dress made for my sweet, specific body! In deciding to make clothes for Denver’s competitive retail setting, I have to start small and refine my design and construction methods in order to save on time and money all along the way.

As outlined in the blog article mentioned above, the cost of sustainable fabrics is high. I can reduce the cost per yard if I buy a lot of it, and I propose to use the grant money to do just that!

Long term, Hol Sum will contribute beautiful eco-sensitive designs to Denver’s local market and continue making beautiful, couture clothing on a commission basis.
If I receive the grant money, I’ll be sure to report back to YesPleaseMore with my eco-sensitive choices!
Stay tuned.

yours,
Hol Sum

scott said...

RP - Nice work. Keep up the positive vibe.

seemore said...

I would like to know more about this product. What exactly are the eco-sensitive materials you use? Do you use dyes? How much do you currently charge for each dress? If the cost of material is so great -- how will $500 aid you in making the shift to retail?

hol sum said...

Thanks for voting everyone! Thank you for sharing with others!

Megan Toben said...

Now is the time for cultural transformation towards ecological awareness in all sectors. Rebecca's venture to support and work with ecologically sensitive fabrics is representative of the shift that is happening and worthy of financial subsidization. I'm honored to support her in this venture!

Malissa Spero said...

I have known Rebecca for a couple of years now, and I am the lucky owner of the dress on the bottom left (I wore it to a wedding on Kauai and it was absolutely perfect and original - everything I wanted when she fit me!) I am regularly blown away by her style, commitment, and hard work. I have watched her earnestly work on large-scale projects for months to get them just right...and I really want a jacket like that black one. Even better, I'd love one made of eco-sensitive fabrics! Good luck Rebecca!! You deserve it!! :-)

Rebecca Peebles said...

Hi Wierdos, and FAUXsho too,
I meant no mal-communication with FAUXsho when posting the comment on their proposal page. I considered voting for their project, yes, but decided not to as I felt there was not enough information regarding their project goals. I believe this is clear from the comment that I did post. I did post the comment before deciding to enter the grant competition with Yes Please More myself. Furthermore, I think it is entirely possible for an entrant to win this grant contest by marketing their need for votes using Facebook and other web tools. I don't have any problems with FAUXsho's work or design. I'm not sure what you mean by "copy," but I'm sure our designs and work are quite different.

I hope that this string of comments does not become a negative stream of commentary. I only hope that whomever is granted the YesPleaseMore grant money will use it to do great creative work and amplify the creative community of Denver.

I apologize if I have offended you or FAUXsho.
With good spirit and honest intentions,
Rebecca

Weirdos said...

Did you just copy FAUXsho! Clothing?!
You even wrote on their board and it seemed like you were going to vote for them.
What is your problem?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?!

Kevin Butler said...

Truly amazing designs and talent exhibited by Rebecca Peebles. She has the amazing talent to take any medium into a work of art and tasteful design, fir for an easy summer evening to the classiest of formal functions. Vote for hol sum, if you do nothing else, and support Rebecca in her quest to make great designs and a better environment!

kali said...

Rebecca is an amazing person all around. Her thoughtfulness, persistence, and integrity is clearly displayed in her work and personality. She is tightly knitted in her community and is inspiring people everyday, whether it be at her coffee shop job, through commissioned work, or during therapeutic sewing lessons. I have never met a woman more in touch with her work, community, and environment. This grant will offer endless opportunities for Rebecca to succeed as a local and ethical designer.

Vespa Runner said...

Rebecca Peebles is an amazing designer and you can find her work at the YesPleaseMore POP-Up Store, currently housed at the Denver Pavilions, 2nd Floor by Barnes and Noble. Go hol sum!!