SOSUME's ALEX TRIMMER HAS BEEN NOMINATED!

That's right! SOSUME's Alex Trimmer has been nominated!!!! The Ethical Fashion Forum Innovation UK Award celebrates the efforts designers go through to design fully sustainable collections. And the winner gets to showcase their collection at womenswear trade show, PURE LONDON! The winner is announced in early July so stay tuned...


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Photo credit: Dan O'Day Photography

SOSUME FEATURED IN VICE ONLINE (again!)

SOSUME again appearing in the VICE's Slapdash section. The Drop Lapel Vest is featured in an all black and white look. Shop SOSUME's complete collection at a 35% discount when you enter the code "SOSUMExYOU" at checkout! Shop online now. X

SOSUME FEATURED IN VICE ONLINE

SOSUME's Pocket Tee from the BASE collection appearing on VICE's Slapdash section. Buy it now at a 35% discount when you enter the code "SOSUMExYOU" at checkout! Shop online now. X

SOSUME MID-SEASON SALE! 35% OFF!

SOSUME is running a mid-season online sale!!!


All pieces are 35% off but you have to enter the coupon code: "sosumexyou" at the checkout to see your discount. There is no limit to how many items you can purchase and free shipping is also offered when you buy 3 or more items. If you reside overseas, please contact us to arrange payment and delivery options.


This sale is only available to our Facebook fans, Twitter and Blog followers and of course our Newsletter readers as a special offer :)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR BARGAINS! 

Sale will run until Monday 11 July or until sold out so get in QUICK!

Enjoy with wear and happy shopping!

SOSUME's ALEX TRIMMER ON ABC'S CATALYST!

Alex Trimmer was asked why he doesn't currently use Bamboo fibre in his designs and show goes onto explore the research behind how we can actually make this potentially amazing fabric green!

To watch the clip, click here

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SOSUME FEATURED IN THELMA MAGAZINE!

Click here for the full story...

SOSUME BEGINS RESORT 2012 SHOWINGS IN NEW YORK!

To make an appointment, please email tanya@aikaz.com. Aikaz Showroom is located in NY's garment district.

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SOSUME FEATURED IN (small)LUST BLOG

SOSUME get's a write up by (small)LUST's Kat George. For the full story and images, click here.

Don’t Sue Me

By Kat George, 07 June 2011

Fulfilling Melbourne’s dark, brooding fantasy, SOSUME has added angles to it’s repertoire for Winter 2011. Known for its dedication to the Australian earth mother, SOSUME is characterised by soft shapes, relaxed fits and a completely Australian production line. For the winter that is so close to being upon us, SOSUME has gone to that darkest of Melbourne corners, and drawn out the zeitgeist for a compellingly enigmatic collection.

Championing sophistication, the new collection is sharp and elegant—characteristically easy to wear, in the SOSUME fashion. With staple pieces like dresses and draped cardigans, SOSUME also introduces key pieces like tailored coats and laid back jumpsuits to the mix. SOSUME designer Alex Trimmer says of the collection, “I wanted to create a small, concise, wearable collection that was meticulously constructed and where the wearer would appreciate every detail and component. By designing only a small number of pieces, I was able to dedicate time to the sourcing of fine fabrics and materials, not to mention fit and make.”

The collection is indeed small and concise, making for a tightly curated range of pieces that fit together like a puzzle. Using materials including woven silks, raw silks, jersey, emu leather, organic wool, curpro/lyocell blends and micro modal, the collection is as luxurious to the touch as it is pleasing to the eye.

BED TIME READING...

A good article from Just-Style.com

"Clothing and accessory consumers are fickle at the best of times, and trying to nail down their desires in the growing eco-fashion niche is proving especially difficult as the industry moves toward environmental responsibility."

Continue reading...

NEW STOCKIST

Hey guys, for a new stockist in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, check out:


Artwear on Queen in Sydney. Find it at 126 Queen St, Woollahra 02 9328 4963

SOSUME LANDS ITS FIRST COVER!!!! ELLE MAG USA!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

SOSUME has landed it's first ever cover and it's huge! Hello US ELLE's June 2011 Edition! And could you get a more gorgeous cover girl than Rachel McAdams??? Don't think so! You be the judge...

SOSUME FEATURED IN MELBOURNE'S CITY WEEK!

SOSUME's Alex Trimmer interviewed by Mary-Jane Duffy
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SOSUME FEATURED IN TRANSPARENT SEAMS BLOG

Click here for the complete article

Simply put, Sosume is a label for the future,. With refined collections, high quality products and a transparent sensibility, we can easily see the reasoning behind each process and decision. Alex Trimmer, founder of the Australian based label offers his thoughts on the legality of careless creation, carpooling to work and the benefits of supporting local manufacturers.

Why fashion? How did SOSUME start?
It all started over in NY when I was finishing my degree as an exchange student. I felt there was a gap in the US market for “non-hippy” styled eco-friendly clothing. Everything I was seeing was fairly unimaginative when it came to colour palettes and fabric content. SOSUME was born to show that you can still wear cutting edge designs with amazing fabrics that actually wear and feel better than conventional fabrics. I launched the collection back home in Australia in late 2008.

What’s your opinion on contemporary fashion production?
If you’re referring to fast fashion, I think it’s awful and laws need to be made to stop it happening. Think of what an eighty-nine dollar nylon “leather” jacket does to a landfill and what it did to the local environment to get to the finished product.

How do you start a new collection?
A combination of what I see on the street mixed with traditional cuts and tailoring and ultimately, the fabrics I find. I’m limited to what I can use so I really have to find the fabrics first then think of the best ways to use them. The market for modern, sustainable fabrics is very small but growing so it’s a long process but well worth the effort. There are some remarkable materials out there.

What is your biggest source of inspiration?
As above. The biggest source is the fabric. I’ve always like men’s aesthetics but cut for a woman. I love traditional, timeless pieces and a quality make. When I find a fabric that I love, I try to think of all the different ways that it can be used to bring it to its fullest potential.

How would you describe your latest collection?
Easy, simple, breezy summer. I wanted to extend the jersey basics and introduce woven shirting. I like to build on previous collections and progressively add more and more complicated pieces. Its what makes me look forward to the next season!


Going back to the more ethical side of things..your label seems to have a sustainable element, why is this important?
Because it’s the only way forward. SOSUME proves you don’t have to wear a potato sack or sacrifice your style in order to wear something that is sustainable. The whole basics line uses micro modal, which only uses a tenth of the amount of water to produce each item than its cotton counterpart. The fabric feels sublimely soft, doesn’t effect the skin, will hold shape twice as long as cotton and also will hold its colour for twice as long too. It also is biodegradable so won’t fill up the dump at the end of the product life. This is a major concern with “fast fashion”.


You mention you garments are both organic and natural, roughly what percent is organic?
Actually, it depends on seasons. Some seasons I use organic cotton and organic wool among other natural or man-made fabrics while other seasons we just use man-made and natural. These new, modern man-made fabrics are actually the greatest thing the industry has seen as far as I know. They are created with the environment in mind and are designed to replace their harmful cousins such as rayon, viscose and others. The entire collection, doesn’t matter which season, is always made from only natural and organic fabrics. I just hope that the mills out there keep developing unique and beautiful fabrics to use!

Why produce in Australia? Why is this important and how does it affect your process?
Quality control. Simple as that. I also think it’s vital to support the industry that supports you. The manufacturing industry in Australia seems to be ailing but there are some great makers out there and it feels good to support them. It makes the process much quicker. If there needs to be an alteration, it’s easily done through a phone call and a visit. I couldn’t imagine the drama one would face when working with overseas factories. I like to work closely with my makers to develop the very best product.

What do you hope for the future of fashion?
For all labels to try and minimise their impact on the environment, whether it’s through their fabrics, their supply chains, their stock management, or even their employees’ carpooling to work! Every change for good makes a difference. It’s simple.

Check out Alex's website here, you can find out all his collections,fabric and production info..truly the way it should be...


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SOSUME FEATURED IN MX!

SOSUME featured in Tuesday's Issue of mX (17.05.11). Featured is a Q&A with designer Alex Trimmer as well as the editorial image of an AW11 SOSUME outfit.

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SOSUME FEATURED IN FASHION TREND

A great editorial of SOSUME's Romper made from 100% organic wool and was also featured in the Spirit of the Black Dress Awards during L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Great article!!!

For the original article, please click here

Fast fashion: Is the party over?

For low end retailers, sales are down and returns are up, while the mid market and eco brands continue to grow.

BY BELINDA WHITE | 08 APRIL 2011

The scene in fashion retailer Primark Photo: SARAH BROOK

The flood of fast, throwaway fashion on the high street in recent years has inevitably led to questions about where the clothes are being made, who's making them and in what conditions, not to mention the environmental effects of mass production, and shocking waste.

Countless campaigns and documentaries urging consumers to shop smart - i.e. buy less and better quality - seemed to wash over the women clogging up London's shopping Mecca, Oxford Street, struggling under the weight of bulging Primark bags.

But it seems the tide may finally be turning. Following on from H&M's shock results in the final quarter of 2010 which saw profits fall 11 per cent, fashion comparison website Stylecompare.co.uk has today reported that year-on-year sales of 'low end' retailers fell by 21 per cent, as consumers flock to 'mid range' and eco brands for their fashion fixes.

And it's not just bad news for sales. The number of people returning 'low end' items has also risen by almost 30 per cent, suggesting that consumers expect more for their money.

However, it's not all doom and gloom on the high street. While 'low end' retailers are struggling, there has been a significant uplift in sales of 'mid range' fashion brands such as Urban Outfitters and My-Wardrobe.com , where the average consumer spend has risen by 8.03 per cent year-on-year on pricier items.

StyleCompare.co.uk, which allows customers to compare items by retailer and price, has also noted that sales of durable eco brands, includingMelissa and Fashion Conscience have boomed by as much as 68 per cent.

Julia Rebaudo from StyleCompare.co.uk comments: "Our research has shown that the UK's shopping climate is set to change drastically. The problems that lower end brands like H&M have recently experienced have been unexpected, to say the least; however the notion of buying a dress just for the purposes of a Saturday night on the town seems fairly outdated. Quite simply, consumers are becoming more aware of the value of 'investment pieces', particularly at a time when being conscientious with your spending is a must.

'Eco brands are also set to make a big comeback, as the evidence is mounting that consumers associate eco with quality, and care more about where and when their clothes are manufactured."

SS11/12 DELIVERED IN THE USA!

The SOSUME SS11/12 Collection has now arrived in the US. Go check out:

KAIGHT - 83 ORCHARD ST, NEW YORK NY 10002. T: 212 680 5630

KAIGHT - 382 ATLANTIC AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11217. T: 718 858 4737

SHOE HORN - 317 WALNUT STREET, NEWTOWNVILLE MA 02460. T: 617 527 4600

STIL STUDIO - 740 LEGACY PLACE, DEDHAM MA 02026. T: 617 331 5466

SOSUME FEATURED IN SHOP TIL YOU DROP! MAY ISSUE

Here's SOSUME in the latest Shop Til You Drop, hot off the stands today for May - the ONLINE issue. SOSUME's Loose tee in white appears centre-page in a special looking at the style of actress Rashida Jones. $79

Click here to buy online!

SOSUME FEATURED IN ISPYSTYLE.NET

Check out SOSUME's mention in ispystlye.net's report.

Social Change – Part 2

APRIL 6, 2011

Image credit: The Social Studio

After the popularity of a previous article we wrote on Social Change under our Trends section within the Magazine, we were surprised by the feedback from our iSpyStyle members recommending many other examples. So here’s our Social Change article part 2.

With society as a whole becoming socially aware and developing a social conscious, it is not surprising that the macro trend occurring within the retail market is moving along with great force.  Social change is no longer considered a luxury for many consumers it is a necessity and those companies with the intelligence to get on board are reaping the benefits.  Here are some of the fashion retail at the forefront of this trend.

Etiko – Etike is a socially conscious company working on the basis of fair trade and organics they are currently running ‘Design for good’ competition based on designing to promote the fair trade industry within Australia. The winner receives prize money as well as the possibility of their design being printed on t- shirts to be distributed and sold. The design competition runs until April 24.

Sosume and Bassike – both of these Australian labels are making a conscious effort to create social change, through their extensive use of organic cotton in their ranges. However what these two labels do best is create desirable, stylish collections where the choice of fabric is beneficial to the overall design and its not just a “marketing tool” used; its inherent to the design aesthetic.

Sportsgirl and the Butterfly foundation – Sportsgirl have teamed up with a variety of their “Sportsgirl likes” designers and created mini capsule collections of items sold within Sportsgirl stores and online with profits going to the Butterfly foundation. The Butterfly foundation is all about promoting positive body image and that’s an issue that Sportsgirls target market really relate too.

The Social Studio – this initiative started to come together in 2009 and has grown dramatically since its conception. The social studio invests in people, working with the young refugee community to develop and manufacture clothing from recycled materials.  As well as a production house and retail outlet The Social Studio also operates as a café. This integration of a number of functions of the space ensures that it is a social and functional environment for all.  The social studio also offers a range of social support including legal advice, counseling, tutoring, driving and formal training in clothing production, retail and hospitality.

This macro trend is set to continue growing and hopefully will encourage general social awareness within society, as even the smallest change can make a difference. If you have any more examples you’d like to share, contact us through Twitter, Facebook or write a comment in the blog post below.

SOSUME FEATURED THE AGE!

SOSUME featured in today's (April 1, 2011) copy of The Age. Janice Breen-Burns put together a brief on SOSUME named 'Drip Drape', discussing the brand and your use of luxurious eco-friendly fabrics and processes. X