Toggery By Kate D’Arcy

Born and raised: Villanova, Pennsylvania (suburb of Philadelphia)
Studio Location And Vibe: West Chester, Pennsylvania
Number of Staff: 4
Favorite Materials: organic supima cotton
Favorite Designers: Marc Jacobs, YSL, Philip Lim, Diane Von Furstenberg

Toggery By Kate D’Arcy is a chic and simple line, where the details make the garment. Kate knows how to evoke subtle drama from basic materials- gathering, pleating, and darting bright organic cotton, modal, and bamboo into instant classics. As a newly emerging designer, Kate’s focus on primarily sustainable materials and her expert tailoring skills have given her the necessary edge to be a hot new standout in the world of fashion.

Describe the moment when you realized ethics and fashion had to be interwoven in your designs.

My manufacturer sent me some samples of fabrics made of organic cotton and bamboo…it just clicked, these fabrics had such a great hand to them and they were better for the environment…there was no reason not to create with these fabrics.

What have you found to be the most difficult aspects of creating a sustainable line?

Trying to get people to wrap their heads around the idea that organic can be chic.

Do you think it’s worth the extra trouble?

Absolutely, I never put myself into something I don’t 100% stand behind. Being a sustainable designer is not extra trouble, its smart business and its good for the earth…does it get better than that?

Can you describe the journey of one of your garments, from its origination in the soil to being sold at Greenloop?

Take for instance the Kristie tank…once the cotton is picked from the field and woven into yarn(everything is sourced here in the U.S.A) the yarn travels to my manufacturer in Pennsylvania where the yarn is knitted into fabric. From the fabric stage the pattern is cut and sewn and then the garment is sent to a dye house. From the dye house it goes back to our warehouse, this is when the shelves are stocked and we pick and pack the orders and send them out stores.

How would you like to improve upon the green practices that go into the creation of Toggery?

I would love to see us make a smaller carbon footprint in our production and shipping….we are already way ahead of other brands because everything it sourced and manufactured in the U.S., but there is always room for improvement.

What is your greatest hope for the line?

I would love to see Toggery branch out and become a true lifestyle company who can offer consumers everything from clothing, bedding, and home goods. I want to make Toggery a brand consumers rely on for all things sustainable living.

What’s your favorite piece for Fall 2008?

Fall 2008 is a tough one but I would have to say Chloe…its so versatile and with all of the amazing colors offered in the fall collection , I’m pretty sure I’ll live in it all season.

What’s the most joyful moment you’ve had in the past few weeks?

Toggery pieces from my spring collection were featured on The View, that was really validating.