June 2008 Hall of Fame
Elmidae: an eco friendly intellectual clothing line
Elmidae: an eco friendly intellectual clothing line
Q1: Cash flow is a hurdle we have been running into lately. The way the seasons work in the fashion industry for designers is that there are two major times a year when income is flowing in, and the rest of the year it is flowing out. Yikes!!
Idea Description
Elmidae is an eco minded woman owned clothing company. We make a line of women’s clothing using largely sustainable and organic fabrics, as well as hand printed textiles using strictly non-toxic water based inks. Every stitch on every garment is lovingly produced in the United States by woman owned factories at honest wages. Celebrating the artistry and intellect of garment making we offer a line that is a true departure from mass-produced clothing.
At Elmidae we believe that clothing needs to be more than a simple garment - that it should have a point of view and something to say beyond trend. Check out some of our collections: www.abigail-glaum-lathbury.com
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
Much of the $10,000 will go toward manufacturing. Largely because we produce in the United States our labor costs run higher than the average clothing company producing in foreign countries. Due to the nature of our materials our costs are likewise on the higher side.
The funds would also go toward the cost of sales. In order to reach the right audience the line will be shown in several fashion tradeshows in different cities. The industry shows give the line tremendous exposure, but also come at a pretty steep price tag.
You like it. You’re confused by it. You want to know more. Ask questions and post comments here.
Post a commentI like your idea and have already voted for it if my idea for a federally funded venture capital carrot fund succeeds my idea may be able to help you fund your idea check out my idea and vote for it if you think it has merit http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/4060-NEW-IDEA-WEBSITE" sincerely Frank Scruggs
At first my reason for searching out organic cotton was medical. At only a few weeks old my son developed severe eczema and his pediatrician suggested organic cotton as an alternative to the harsh steroidal creams they wanted to put him on. The search for organic clothing was not easy, and just plain expensive, but I knew his baby skin could not take the harsh chemicals used in regular textiles. The more research I did, the more I knew our entire family needed to make a change, for us and the planet. That was when I founded <a href="http://www.peacefuldisorder.com/">Peaceful Disorder</a>, and since it is a family adventure, the prices are very reasonable. ($12-$30) You will probably see the same products in your local boutique for twice as much, I know I …moredid. But best of all, after about 6 months of wearing organic, our baby has no sign of eczema.
Hi Abigail, I wanted to wish you the best of luck with your clothing line. Your designs are really stunning. I keep picturing myself going to a premiere or gala in one of your gowns, but I need to lose 10 lbs first! :) Then I can order one! By the way, I LOVED the video you made for Ideablob. I can't tell you how impressed I was by that. You are incredibly talented. (I might just have to post it on my blog!) Best of luck to you. I know with your talent, you will go far. All my best, Cindy
Your line makes my heart go pitter patter, I wish you the best.
The designer of the future...what an inspiration
This young entrepreneur and designer has a few things many lack - a dream, passion for her work, and most importantly, tenacity and persistence. She knew what she wanted pretty early on (I remember a doll beautifully dressed in clothes she had designed and sewn herself entered in an art show when she was a teenager). She deserves this award - richly! So - encourage everyone you know to vote for her - it will be well worth your effort to help reward hers.
I love the creativity, the thoughtfulness and the eco-minded nature of the designs. There's so much integrity here and not to mention that the end result is out of this world cool! I own one of her dresses and I can't tell you how rad it is and how many people stop me and ask about it. Vote, vote, vote! She's worked her **** off, now let's help her out.
If I were 40 years younger, I would definitely wear these clothes. Even though I'm not, I can still admire them for their beauty and for the designer's creativity. What a find! She should win, not only for her designs, but also for her work ethic. Using women-owned factories and sustainable and environmentally- friendly materials hits all the right notes. Fund her, fund her, fund her.
Your clothing is gorgeous! Can you give the contact info for the women owned factories in the U.S.? I'd love to contact them about doing future work with me.
Very nice collection and I love the idea behind the clothes. How great to have everything you make manufactured in America! I would love to see Advanta give to a creative, artistic - yet completely socially and environmentally responsible company like yours. Often creative, artistic companies get lost in the shuffle for high-tech ideas. Best of Luck!
This clothing line is excellent. The quality is fantastic. Elmidae certainly deserves the money. A brilliant woman, with a very creative mind, and a sense for Ecology. You'll have my support anytime.
It's true, it's true. The name is a mile long - I wasn't quite sure what to do about that, so I have www.elmidae.com too. But that is likewise a little hard to pronounce. Thanks for your comment, I hear so often that "the US is no longer a manufacturing nation..." and it always makes me mad. I'm proud to have things made here, and there is no shortage of skilled sewers right here in our own back yards.
I forgot to add this in my last message, the domain is kind of a hard one to remember... have you thought about creating another shorter doman name that is easier to recall?
The line is fantastic.... I would totally wear these clothes. I love to hear that it is owned by women, you are using organic fabrics and everything is made HERE in the USA.
This would be the best $10,000 Advanta would have ever spent. The clothes in these collections are fabulous and this business is destined to thrive. The Advanta funding would help to make the collection available to a wider public sooner, and I guarantee the public will be grateful to Advanta...