Lowie by Emma Jardine.
Lowie was set up by Bronwyn Lowenthal – born in the UK, site raised in Tanzania, with Jewish roots and a Welsh name. She was trained in marketing and went on to become brand manager for Ben Sherman before setting up Lowie nine years ago, which she started by importing Turkish made hats and socks to sell in Portobello Market. She quickly realised that there was a niche for brightly coloured handmade knitwear and found a supplier to produce larger quantities for her in Hong Kong.
I Love Lowie handmade ethical clothing by Kathryn Edwards.
Lowie Playsuit by Alejandra Espino.
The Lowie Parlour Dress.
Lowie has now expanded into ‘wovens’ – pretty cotton fabrics that feature darling floral sprig prints, all printed in a fair-trade factory in India. These are made into flirty dresses with full skirts and nipped in waists and cute little playsuits. The brand is sold in Heals, Anthropologie and ASOS to name but a few.
Lowie by Avril Kelly.
Lowie Crochet Bow Dress by Michalis Christodoulou.
Lowie didn’t start life as a specifically eco brand but has gradually moved in that direction over the years. At one point Lowie was the only brand producing eco knitwear in jewel bright colours, so they have helped to lead the market away from boring ethical neutrals, opening the door for some of the much more exciting eco fashions that are around today.
Lowie by Jane Young.
All wool jumpers and accessories are now made in China from wool that is produced in Australia. Although all Lowie cotton products are organic the wool is not, so they are currently looking into new types of eco yarns, for example those made from bamboo, which can feel as good or even nicer than wool.
A close up of the bow detailing at press days.
A couple of the Lowie girls looking pretty in Lowie dresses. Hannah on the left manages the studio.
In the meantime Bronwyn travels overseas a few times a year to overlook factories and ensure production fits ethical fair-trade standards – all clothes are manufactured by home workers who run small domestic workshops in their living space.
A totally self indulgent photo of cupcakes at the Lowie press day. Just because they were so pretty.
You can find the new Lowie collection on their website. I absolutely adore the breezy Lowie style, especially for summer.
Categories ,Alejandra Espino, ,Anthropologie, ,ASOS, ,australia, ,Avril Kelly, ,Bamboo, ,Ben Sherman, ,China, ,cotton, ,cupcakes, ,Dresses, ,eco, ,Eco fashion, ,Emma Jardine, ,ethical, ,fairtrade, ,florals, ,Forward PR, ,handmade, ,Hannah, ,Heals, ,Hong Kong, ,India, ,Jane Young, ,Kathryn Edwards, ,knitwear, ,London Kills Me, ,Lowie, ,Michalis Christodoulou, ,Playsuits, ,Portobello Market, ,Press days, ,print, ,Turkey, ,Welsh, ,wool
Similar Posts:
- Earth Listings
- London Fashion Week A/W 2011 Showroom Review: EcoLuxe
- Is the beauty industry moving towards a more earth friendly narrative?
- Bethan Juliff, Knitwear Designer Extraordinaire: New S/S 2012 Season Preview Interview
- Fair Trade Fortnight
