The words “eco-friendly” often conjure images of burlap sack dresses or other rough and raw fabrics that may be awesome for a placemat - but less awesome for clothing. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Enter St. Roche, a Los Angeles born brand founded by English womenswear designer and CFDA member, Sue Stemp and partner, Paud Roche. Sue’s background includes time spent with industry heavyweights Tocca, Alexander McQueen and Daryl K - so you certainly won’t find any burlap sacks at St. Roche.
St. Roche’s effortless, easy pieces are made with GOTS certified organically grown cottons and Tencel that is then dyed with low impact dye in a solar powered dye house. AND most fabrics are produced in India and Peru by strictly ethical manufacturers, and sewn locally in Los Angeles in a sort of “farm-to-closet” approach. But despite St. Roche’s thoughtfully sourced materials, the clothes are delightfully light and soft, gaining them love from both tree huggers and city dwellers alike.
Check out my faves from St. Roche's spring/summer collection here - styled with another LA based brand that deserves kudos for its chic-o-friendly (and remarkably affordable!) line of denim, DSTLD. DSTLD’s concept cuts out the middleman to create 100% sweatshop free jeans in sustainable fabrics like Tencel, at prices that rock.
Photo Credit: Betsi Ewing
WHERE TO BUY
ST. ROCHE: www.st-roche.com, Shopbop, Intermix, Bird and several smaller boutiques across the country.
DSTLD is available worldwide online.
Sustainable style from St. Roche: a Los Angeles based brand crafting casually cool summer clothes you can feel good about.