I’ve been dreaming of expanding into new fabric types, but getting there takes careful steps. These split skirts became an experiment—testing whether shipping fabric from New York City would be prohibitively expensive, and embracing a higher cost per skirt so this tricky fabric could be stitched with extra time, precision, and care.
They’re also the first skirts to arrive with added tariffs—25% on this shipment, and 50% on the next. The pursuit of beauty doesn’t pause when things get hard. This skirt has become a reminder of that: intentional decisions with higher costs, made even costlier by tariffs, yet still full of joy.
DID YOU KNOW? In a midweight weave, linen is breathable yet warm, layering beautifully to keep you comfortable as you move between crisp outdoor air and cozy indoor heat. Its naturally porous structure helps regulate temperature—holding a touch of your own body heat in cooler air, then releasing it as you warm up indoors. By blending in rayon, the fabric gains extra warmth, added softness, a more fluid drape, and a subtle, luxurious sheen.
It moves like a skirt, but with the added cool vibes of pants. At 2” shorter than last month’s Cocoa Dot Split, it’s still long and flowing. The weight and slight stiffness of the 2” faced hem changes the drape of the skirt, giving it a fresh shape, added structure, and a clean, polished finish.
I saw this week that the European Union has introduced rules requiring fashion brands to take financial responsibility for their textile waste. (About 20% of fabric is typically wasted during production.)
DID YOU KNOW? After cutting the main order from our yardage, we often find there’s fabric for even more skirts—and the leftover pieces then become packing cubes and other small goods. In addition, many of my skirts are made from recycled garment factory offcuts.
As a manufacturer, I’ve found that the more time and care I invest in a fabric and a product, the more precious it becomes—and naturally, even the scraps start to feel meaningful. As a designer, it’s in doubling back and revisiting those scraps that some of my best ideas take shape.
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. Included with every tote (what a delightful gift idea!)
With intentionality comes care, and with care comes deeper enjoyment—all because, instead of moving on, we stayed.
XO, Emily