I found this Italian linen-rayon blend through a supplier in NYC. I’d never shipped fabric from the U.S. to India (where my skirts are made), so I was hesitant—but curious. Years of sewing have trained my eye to spot tricky fabrics, and this one definitely was, which only made me more intrigued.

I’ve been dreaming of expanding into new fabric types but getting there takes careful steps. These split skirts became an experiment: seeing if shipping from NYC is feasible, and slowing our process so each piece could be stitched with extra time, precision, and care.

These are also the first skirts to arrive with added tariffs—25% on this shipment, and 50% on the next. Which is why I love how joyful and playful they turned out to be. We’re holding on to beauty, color, and joy as we navigate intense circumstances and find a way forward. The pursuit of beauty doesn’t pause when things get hard. This skirt is proof of that—intentional decisions with higher costs, made even costlier by tariffs, yet still full of joy.

From the offcuts of the Gelato Stripe Split Skirt: slim scarves, just the right length to wrap the jute handles of the Ziyada Tote—for even more pattern mixing and texture. 

My patternmaker and I connected when I had a retail space in St. Louis (where she is located). She invited me to be on her podcast in 2020, and then again this year.

Alison asks about my next goals in both episodes and it's pretty wild to hear the difference in my answers. In 2020, I was riding high, having just relaunched my business after navigating covid shutdowns. I had dreams of a retail space with onsite tailoring and consignment.

I'll let you listen to hear my answer in 2025. You can tell your girl has been through it. More accurately, you can tell I've learned a lot about what it takes to manufacture clothing and run a business.