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In a world of \u201cfast fashion,\u201d brands like Hackwith are making a change\u2014one piece of American-made clothing at a time<\/span><\/h5>\n

Words by Maggie Dickman<\/span><\/em>
\nPhotos from the Fall 2016 Collection courtesy of\u00a0Canary Grey<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Slouching slip dresses. Shaped slacks. Soft sweaters. At Minnesota-based <\/span>Hackwith Design House<\/span><\/a>, they’re all made in-house with sustainability in mind. By using natural fibers like cotton and denim and incorporating classic designs with neutral palettes that survive seasonal style changes, Hackwith has established a brand that will never go out of style.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSustainability is also practicality,\u201d said <\/span>Hackwith\u2019s Director of Operations<\/span> Erin Husted.<\/span> \u201cThose two go hand in hand. It doesn\u2019t make sense to build a company that you can\u2019t sustain over time, and it doesn\u2019t make sense to waste things or use fabrics that just won\u2019t last.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But Hackwith is an industry exception. The<\/span> \u201cfast fashion\u201d mentality<\/span><\/a>\u2014and the waste that goes along with it\u2014dominates the fashion world. Fast fashion pieces are low-cost, mimic the hottest trends and run their life course within a matter of weeks, thus destined for the trash after a few weeks of wear. Consumers continue to spend more and more on apparel, contributing to the waste. In 2015, the<\/span> average American household spent<\/span><\/a> $1,846 on clothing, up 3.4 percent from 2014. The change between 2013 and 2014 showed an 11.3 percent increase. <\/span><\/p>\n

This increase in shopper spending is affecting more than just the economy. Gargi Bhaduri, a fashion professor at Kent State University, puts disposable fashion and consumer mindset at the heart of the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bhaduri points out that manufacturers have to produce more textiles and fabrics in order to keep up with enormous demand, which in turn is affecting the environment. \u201cThe problem lies in how much we consume,\u201d Bhaduri said. \u201cBecause of the enormous amount we consume, the fiber and the fabric manufacturers have to find ways to actually manufacture or grow more in order to take care of our enormous consumption. I mean, cotton has been growing forever. But why is that now the issue? Because the consumption has increased, the demand has increased. [Manufacturers] need to find other ways to match that demand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that<\/span> 12.83 million tons of textiles<\/span><\/a> were sent to the landfill. This is because clothing has simply lost its worth. Fast fashion revolves around trends that pop up by season and only remain relevant for a few months\u2014at most. A<\/span> black button-up tunic<\/span><\/a> will be a closet coveted staple for years, while a plaid lace-up shirt combining on-trend color and design might lose popularity by the time the next trendy pattern or shape hits the market. By investing in timeless designs, sustainable clothing rebuilds the connection between clothing and wearer. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou build a connection with your pieces, so you aren\u2019t throwing away as much, which also leads to not buying as much,\u201d Bhaduri said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hackwith is hoping to bring back that wearer and fashion bond. Back in 2010, Lisa Hackwith started producing individual, handmade pieces and selling them on Etsy. When the official brand was launched in 2013, she took her individual business model and expanded it into a team. <\/span>Four seamstresses<\/span><\/a> make all of the brand\u2019s products in-house. The core collection consists of pieces made to order\u2014reducing waste and increasing originality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe really like the idea, and I think our customers do, too, of selling pieces that people are really going to cherish and love, and to us it makes sense to make it when people order it,\u201d Husted said. \u201cIt\u2019s being made for the person that wants it, which just makes sense.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And consumers are embracing Hackwith\u2019s handcrafted creations. <\/span><\/p>\n

The brand\u2019s designs create relevancy in the classic by combining clean lines and flattering shapes. Everything from cool grays to coffee-inspired browns sustain an enduring wardrobe through colors that are endlessly wearable and fabric choices that are practical.<\/span><\/p>\n

Purchasing \u00a0sustainable products may be more expensive, but for some shoppers, buying a classic piece that\u2019ll stay with them for years makes it a worthy investment. Melissa Oholendt, a Hackwith customer, values the relationship with her clothing. It\u2019s a bond that lasts longer than a season. Looking for designs that will stylistically stay relevant as her tastes and needs change, Oholendt has found a connection to Hackwith\u2019s creations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI find that when looking for pieces, specifically pieces from sustainable makers, certainly I am looking for something classic\u2014something that will stand the test of time from both a durability and design perspective,\u201d Oholendt said. \u201cI also strive to purchase clothing from actual people. Not only does that feel good to the heart, but it also does good for the local economy in so many ways beyond just one purchase.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For Hackwith, designing sustainable products is good for business. They\u2019ve embraced a particular attention to detail. They focus on every product that they sell. It may be a small step forward in the beast that is the fashion industry, but one in the direction of change.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a world of \u201cfast fashion,\u201d brands like Hackwith are making a change\u2014one piece of American-made clothing at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7104,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n