THE FABRIC
In order to give you the best sustainable products, we had to chart our own course. We take care in what we choose. The goal is to exceed expectations. To that end we spend a lot of time searching for fabrics that can deliver quality and value as well as being naturally sustainable.
The Cotton Jersey we use is grown in California, spun and knitted in North Carolina.
The Modal/Lycra we use is also knit in the same mill. Our sweater fabrics are knit in New York. All the sewing takes place in either Allentown, PA or our Philadelphia Studio and the dyeing is done in our Studio as well. Yes, we might go a bit overboard, but our customers expect the attention to detail.
We try to use everything. We save out cuttings and use them to create one of a kind pieces and other things that are useful so it does not end up in a landfill.
OUR DYEING
We do many different things at Steel Pony, but when I think Process I think about our dyeing. This is what makes us different than other companies. We do all of our dyeing in our studio. Our process starts with the development of our colors. Each color is formulated in our studio. We have developed our own techniques giving each piece its own one-of-a-kind look. Never Solid. Everything is garment dyed by hand in small “vats.” That is when we are doing a one color immersion dye but we also do a lot of specialty dyeing as well. Always experimenting with new techniques.
I know there is a lot of talk about natural dyes. I have done intensive research in this area and came to the conclusion that it is not always the best route when dyeing. Our dyes are water soluble. In order for natural dyes to be at all color fast you need to use heavy metals which leach into the soil and contaminate. Our dyes are color fast and can be disposed of down the drain with no harm to the environment.
OUR DESIGN
I am inspired by everything around me
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Sometimes there is a color in nature that I want to recreate or something in Architecture that makes me look at shape in a new way.
It is however, in my dreams that I create.
Sounds hokey but that is how I design each collection.
The styles come to me during the night so w
Then I sit down to draw it comes naturally.
I have a fun video you can watch here
