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

SOSUME FEATURED IN PEPPERMINT MAG!

SOSUME appeared in Peppermint Magazine's Autumn 2011 issue, with a brief profiling the brand and AW11 capsule collection in the regular Limelight section! Check it out :)

SOSUME FEATURED IN NINE TO FIVE!

SOSUME's Drop Lapel Vest featured in NINE TO FIVE magazine. Made from 100% Organic Wool. $329. You can buy this item at Revivre in Sydney! Shop 4, 49 Bay St Double Bay.

SOSUME IN HOW BIG IS YOUR ECO Q&A!

Click here for the full article

Q&A: SOSUME

A cheeky riposte to being denied the rights to his originally hoped-for name, the moniker SOSUME (as in, so sue me) conveniently by-passed the need for stern legal letters and allowed designer Alex Trimmer to focus on creating luxurious jersey separates. With the AW11 collection now in stores, HowBigIsYourEco figured the time was right to grab a few moments with Trimmer…

Tell us about the new collection…The AW11 Collection is about wearable, structured outerwear with beautifully soft cardigan and basics. I explored using contrasting fabrics such as the emu leather detail with organic wool and raw silk. I love the difference of these materials.

There’s always a strong aesthetic link from one collection to the next, isn’t there?
Spot on! I feel that each collection is a progression of the next. That isn’t to say that you can’t do anything spontaneous but it’s important for me to allow customers to add to their wardrobe, rather than replace. I look forward to injecting subtle colour soon.

So how would you describe your design philosophy?
Wearable wardrobe staples for women designed with the highest integrity in regards to fabrication and make. The idea was to show that you don’t have to sacrifice style, make, feel, quality in order to wear something “green”.

Fabrics are obviously important to you…
Crucial—I spend a lot of time searching all over the world. I’ve sourced fabrics from the US, Korea, India, Italy and Australia but predominantly its Japan and France. It really depends on the season.

What do you most like working with?
Micro modal is the main fabric that runs from season to season but I also use anything from 100% certified organic wool to 100% raw silk and small bits of emu leather for detail.

How much organics do you use?Most of the outerwear is organic materials but I use mainly natural man-made cellulose fibres. These have been around for a few decades but the benefits are only now starting to be realised. Organic fabrics are great because you’re guaranteed that there have been no chemicals used and these man-made cellulose fibres are great because they have been developed with the environment in mind, that is, water usage and chemical runoffs have been considered in their development.

You’re a big advocate of Australian made…
I like to make everything in Melbourne because of quality control and flexibility. I see my manufacturers every week whether it is for sampling or checking in on production schedules and it allows me to understand any issues they may be having first hand. Flexibility in this industry is critical—by manufacturing in Melbourne, I can make any changes I need quickly and accurately. Not to mention retaining Australian jobs and its manufacturing industry.

It’s not necessarily the easiest or cheapest option, though, is it?Well I haven’t had the option of manufacturing overseas. I know for a fact that it is definitely more expensive but I think my customer appreciates and accepts it. I cant really say if it’s easier to manufacturer overseas as I’ve never done it but on the face of it, it seems harder as you have zero control once your order is placed. I’ve investigated it but don’t think I will ever leave Australia—I find relationships are key to anything in life, not just in business and this industry.

So who is the SOSUME woman?SOSUME’s woman is intelligent, beautiful, determined, and conscious of her purchase decisions. She is aware of her environment and cares for all components. She may be married or single, with a family or none but she always looks the part, feels relaxed yet empowered by her wardrobe and virtues.

Got a high-rotation, must-have piece AW11?
My favourite piece is the Long Coat. It’s made from 100% certified organic wool with 100% cupro lining. The detail on the pockets is emu leather and the buttons are sourced from Italy and are metal, but lightweight. I love the way the coat falls and how it looks when opened and in movement—the splits up the side and back allow the coat to open fully.

ALEX TRIMMER ON THE PANEL DISCUSSING SUSTAINABLE FASHION

Here is a write up from Style Wilderness:

Is Fashion Sustainable?

This week has been all about feeding off other bloggers' posts instead of writing my own, and when you're on a roll (or incredibly lazy), why change things? Last night I went to "Is Fashion Sustainable?" which was a forum organised by Lara from Wardrobe Wonderland, so head on over to that blog if you want to find out more. There's profiles and links about all the speakers, and if you're at all interested in finding out who's who in sustainable fashion in Melbourne (or even in Australia), it's well worth the read. Here are the panelists, with apologies for the tiny, crap, horribly backlit picture...from left to right: Kerryn Caulfield, Cameron Neil, Tullia Jack, Juliette Anich, Alex Trimmer and Karen Webster.


I got to chat with Alex Trimmer (who designs Sosume, which is a very cool brand we used in the Fair@Square fashion show) before the forum started. And that amazing, gorgeous magazine I'm holding? That would be Peppermint, not that I'd be doing my best cheesy grin while shamelessly flogging the magazine I write for or anything like that! (Subliminal message: you need to buy this mag!!!) 

SOSUME FEATURED IN RUSSH!

SOSUME

WORDS HANNAH MCOWAN

That well-worn bumper sticker saying Save the Planet! never held quite so much weight as in the present. Between those pesky rising sea levels, saying goodbye to yet another rare species and that huge patch of plastic garbage that floats somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, it really sounds like planet earth is up the proverbial creek. So whether you are sorting your plastics from your paper or recycling sewerage and installing wind turbines to power your house, one thing is certain - it's cool to be green!


It's awesome then that little-known Australian label SOSUME is producing beautiful clothes with an environmental conscience. The brand goes to extra lengths to source organic and natural fabrics that present the lowest environmental impact on the planet. To take us into winter, their AW 11 collection is a darkened mix of layering essentials: think waist coasts, hooded-capes and tunics in luxurious fabrics.

So now we can do our part for the planet whilst looking superb. Surely a win-win situation and certainly less labour-intensive than that whole grey water business.

Click here for the full article.

THE STYLE NET INTERVIEWS SOSUME!

Click here for the complete version

A few weeks ago we wrote about our favourite Australian label, SOSUME, who are revolutionizing the way consumers view and wear eco-friendly clothing.

We had such great feedback from this post that we thought it best to get up close and personal with SOSUME designer Alex Trimmer and find out what goes on behind the scenes of this cult label:

Tell us about SOSUME, how the label was formed and the values of your brand?

SOSUME is designed for the modern, sophisticated, educated woman. It provides a product that allows them to feel completely guilt free in terms of the impact their consumer decisions have on the environment. The underpinning philosophy of the brand is to show that eco-friendly clothing doesn’t have to come in the form of hemp potato sacks and hippy sunflower dresses. You can look and feel absolutely stunning, intelligent, strong, and needless to say beautiful in an outfit that feels buttery soft, is breathable, warm and comes with the guarantee that you have significantly reduced your carbon footprint without even looking like a hippy.

Were did the name SOSUME come from?

SOSUME began as a fairly fun label, consisting of basics such as tees, tanks, dresses, tops, and pants. It is actually a play on words- “So Sue Me!”- which was my response to another company having naming rights for the original name in a particular country. It also adds a little humour to the label which prides itself on its eco-friendly credentials.

What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?

I guess you could say the Amish. There are a few styles such as the Long Coat and Shirt Dress that are reminiscent of this lifestyle. I also wanted to experiment using contrasting fabrics and materials in the same design such as using Emu leather as detailing for the panel pockets on the Long Coat which is made from 100% certified organic wool. The other piece which utilises an array of materials is the Cowl Vest which has emu leather, micro modal and a beautifully soft 100% raw silk woven which is actually certified by PETA.

What are the biggest challenges of creating an eco minded label?

Sourcing. I have to be extremely careful in how and where I source my fabrics and materials. I spent a lot of time in the beginning, and still do for that matter, researching fibre technology. I also try and attend seminars on this topic and have found some amazing products out there. One of the most interesting discoveries has been what scientists are developing when it comes to man-made cellulose based fibres- these take into account not only chemical usage, but also water usage, product care and end use. Most consumers are not even aware of these issues when it comes to the environmental impact their clothes make on the environment.

What have been the highlights of your career and what are you most proud of?

It’s funny you ask because you never really have time to look back at what you have achieved as you’re always thinking of the next season and the season after that and how to grow the brand. I would say just having a good number of stockists in Australia and a small number overseas is a fantastic achievement. A big highlight that is coming up is my inclusion in No Home, a film revolution which is being premiered at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) with filmmaker Chase Burns and is part of the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Along with that, I have been nominated for the Spirit of the Black Dress Award which I’m completely over the moon about! I’m humbled by the nomination.

What changes have you personally made to live a more Eco friendly lifestyle?

I got rid of my car! I now rent cars when I need to see pattern makers, factories, run errands, etc. I also use recycled paper in all of my printing and I actually really dislike printing line sheets and look books- I would actually prefer to offer all buyers and press USB sticks to display collections! It’s much cleaner and neater too.

Where would you like to see SOSUME in 5x years time?

I would like to see an increased stockist list in all current territories, namely Australia, New Zealand and the US and perhaps moving into Europe, Japan and South East Asia. I also want to collaborate with a like-minded company, not necessarily in the fashion industry- I have a few in mind. I also really want to team up with a brand ambassador, someone who embodies all of SOSUME’s principles in their personal core values.

What advice would you give to those aspiring to work in the fashion industry?

Go for it! Just listen to your gut- you’re going to hear a lot of opinions but I found the more I listen to myself, the more I get done and I’m prouder of the outcome and it also actually turns out for the better!

Who are your go-to designers / stores?

I love classics and structure so I’m a fan of Max Mara, Chloe, Celine, Hermes, Rick Owens, basically a lot of the French based designers. But I find a lot of the time it varies season to season so my opinion changes all the time. Regarding stores, I really like minimalist interiors that have those beautiful one-off items and that goes for the interiors themselves. So you could say Assin is fantastic, as is Left, both in Melbourne. I also really like cute, small, directional stores that are off the beaten track.

Describe an average day in the life of 'Alex'.

Haha. I’m up at 6am and in bed by midnight. It’s spent most of the time staying in contact with stores, factories, the pattern maker, and various other suppliers. I also dedicate an hour a day to developing long lead plans such as potential projects, a collaboration for example. But basically I just seem to run errands all day and design collections at night with the music turned up!

What music is playing in the SOSUME office?

Three artists- Kanye West, The Heavy and The Black Keys

Favourite quote?

That’s a tough one. I want to say something from Churchill but I would have to say “Cash is the life blood of a business” – Anonymous from Year 10 Business Class Textbook.

SPIRIT OF THE BLACK DRESS VIDEO!!

Spirit Of The Black Dress from Turbo Productions on Vimeo.

SOSUME's ALEX TRIMMER GETS INTERVIEWED BY MAKERS OF MELBOURNE!

Jane from Makers of Melbourne delves deep and asks SOSUME's Director Alex Trimmer about his latest collection, Autumn/Winter 2011.

Read about it here!

The collection has recently dropped into SOSUME's Australian and New Zealand stockists. To find one near you, click here.

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SOSUME FEATURED IN RUSSH ONLINE

Several SOSUME pieces appear in the popular RUSSH 'Shopping' pages, which act as a guide for readers to shop online based on a particular trend every few weeks. The 'Tough' Shopping shoot features the Cowl Vest, the Long Sleeve Top ($129) and the Loose Tank ($79), with the latter two both available online now! If you purchase 3 or more items, we waive the shipping cost. For international orders, simply contact us via contact@sosumeclothing.com

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