SS22 Chinatown, NYC - SHOP THE LOOKS

Photographer: Michael J. Spear
Stylist, Art Director, Producer: Rachel Schultz
Model + Muse: Mel Gagliardi

We're delighted, honored and humbled to have collaborated on a custom candle with Kate Jennings of Na Nin, who hand blends and pours each candle in Richmond, Virginia.  

The IDUN candle was inspired by Norway's signature natural elements: heavy forestry, salt water and rich earth. It's invigorating and inspiring. 

Here, we asked Kate to tell us what inspires her.

Tell us a little about the original inspiration behind Na Nin and how you keep that alive from season to season.

Na Nin began a few months after I returned from teaching in South Korea in 2009. I was searching for a creative outlet and a way to cycle through my vintage collection. A friend I made in South Korea would teach me Korean by way of phonetics. One of the first things she wrote down and said to me translated to "I am happy because I'm with you." - Na Nin, being 'I am'. I wanted to name my brand Na Nin as it is a reminder of the importance of acts of kindness, no matter how big or small.

I try to keep this mindset at the forefront with each step I take in my business. Some days are of course hectic, stressful, or don't go as planned, but I do always try to reflect on where I can make improvements within myself and the company and allow the intention of kindness to guide the growth and progress of Na Nin. 

"I wanted to name my brand Na Nin as it is a reminder of the importance of acts of kindness, no matter how big or small."

We really appreciate Na Nin’s handmade fragrances and are so excited to collaborate on our new candle. How did you start working with and creating oil perfumes, candles, and incense? Do you have a personal favorite scent you created?

I had a health scare towards the end of 2011-2013. While I was frequenting the hospital for many doctor's appointments I grew interested in scent development by blending perfume oils and wanted to create scents that reminded me of favorite memories with loved ones. I would say that Cripple Creek will forever have my heart since it was the first scent that I created. The candles I burn most frequently at home are Garden Tomato, Somoto Canyon and Virginia Pine.

I'm thrilled to have the opportunity for Na Nin to work with IDUN! I've been a long time admirer of your beautiful store and presence.

Are there any specific materials or colors you personally and/or Na Nin as a brand have felt drawn to lately?

When it comes to clothing I have always had a deep appreciation and attraction to textures. I love a paper thin cotton canvas, a seed stitch and a waffled knit. I'm always inspired to create pieces that are a perfect blend of delicate but durable! Also, I can't get enough of emerald or evergreen colors in my life right now.  I look forward to share how Na Nin will be incorporating these fabrics and colors into our line. 

What are the people, places or things Na Nin consistently go back to for inspiration?

My mother will always be my greatest source of inspiration. When I'm in a creative rut I like to go on a drive, listen to music and think about my favorite memories of her. Or I like to imagine her as different fictional characters and visualize her wardrobe for these roles.

I also enjoy looking through 90's Italian photographs and magazines; the fashion game from that era is so so strong. 

Is there an official Na Nin mantra? (Or an unofficial one?)

To never miss an opportunity to be kind. And to keep up!

"I hope that despite the challenges of social media that we will continue to represent the voice of Na Nin with integrity and connect with people that value our vision and want to participate in the brand."

Finally, tell us how you personally hope Na Nin will adapt or evolve in the coming years? 

I hope Na Nin continues to grow. I hope I connect us with people and resources who can make our company and lives run more smoothly. I hope with new connections and growth we will be able to expand our production further to offer high quality, sustainably made items at a more accessible price point. I hope that our customers will appreciate our conscientiously-minded changes and evolution in the larger context of production in the independent designer industry.

I hope that despite the challenges of social media that we will continue to represent the voice of Na Nin with integrity and connect with people that value our vision and want to participate in the brand.

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Shop the IDUN x Na Nin candle HERE. 

We're thrilled to welcome New York City-based designer Nia Thomas, and her ethically-made pieces, to the Idun family. Since launching her brand in 2018, Thomas has created vibrant pieces with an emphasis on Mother Earth, using plant-based materials and recycled fabric. Plus, Thomas plants a tree for every garment sold.

Her pieces are joyful, they're forever and they move with your body. They're beautiful now and will be beautiful years from now. 

We asked Nia a few questions about her background, her brand and what's next for her. You'll love her; we do.  

Give us the quick rundown: what’s your background and how do you identify as a designer?
I’m so excited to be at Idun, thank you for having me! I identify as a designer who believes in making work that is revolutionary in sustainable ethics and social commentary about the times we live in. What I design is very autobiographical in a way about the current place I am in my life. What’s resonating with me in my designs currently is a need for comfort and versatility. I love transition pieces that I can wear to back-to-back business meetings in Barcelona, running around the NYC garment district sourcing fabrics for my factory, or having a delicious dinner and mezcal with friends on the Mexican coast.

You’ve described your work as “anti-fashion industry.” What do you mean by that, and what does that mean for your production process?
Being “anti-fashion industry” to me includes not participating in the toxic cycle that is the current fashion industry in regards to overproduction, exploitation of garment artisans, producing pieces with unsustainable resources and dismissing a garment's lifecycle. I don’t think it's responsible to keep pumping out billions of new clothing every year at the rate that we are when we can’t figure out a proper lifestyle for these garments and thus they are ending up in landfills and our precious bodies of water all over the world. The way I combat this obstacle is by making smaller, more intimate amounts of pieces that I truly believe in while heavily researching about how they will recycle back into the earth. I feel that most people in the fashion industry aren't forward thinking in this way or just greenwash their products with false marketing and that's where many of the problems lie.

You’re very transparent about the true cost to make a garment ethically, with everyone in your supply chain making fair wages. By educating the consumer about the realities of ethical fashion, what are you hoping for?
When I was growing up, every August my parents would take my sister and me school shopping. We would save and buy valuable essentials like one good coat, a nice sweater, two pairs of sturdy jeans and one pair of well made boots. We would wear these for the entire year and many times even longer unless we outgrew last year's items. My parents instilled in me to always invest in quality over quantity.

Nowadays people don’t want to make investments in their clothing because fast fashion is cheap, easily accessible and trend driven. If people stopped investing in fast fashion but started investing in high quality timeless clothes they wouldn’t need to shop as often. The glamorization of overconsumption is egregious. I am transparent about my process so people can comprehend that they are investing in well made quality garments they can wear for 20+ years, pass down to their children and know that it was made with the utmost care and high class materials. My artisans and I work incredibly hard and deserve to pay ourselves fairly for the countless hours we pour into producing each and everyone of our pieces by hand.

"The glamorization of overconsumption is egregious."

How do you want people to feel while wearing your pieces?
I want them to feel like goddesses flying down from the sky, almost like an airbender, representing all of the earth's most powerful elements: air, water, fire. A spiritual and sensual energy pulsing through them that creates confidence. A feeling of an ethereal being that embodies self love in its highest form. This type of vibrancy creates a powerful glow that I see light up when people wear Nia Thomas. 

What are you currently…
Reading? 
Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. It is basically a spiritual Bible for women and reminds me of fairy tales for adults.

Encouraged by?
I am encouraged by all of the strangers that reach out to me after they purchase something of mine saying how they feel the magic in my pieces. They feel so special and comfortable when they wear them and are inspired to live their best lives in them. I feel so proud and encouraged to keep going when I read these types of praises from people all over the world whom I admire.

Enraged by? 
People’s lack of compassion towards migrants and refugees. The ignorance around this is absolutely egregious. I think many people don’t comprehend that a refugee is also a human being fighting for a better life. Kindness matters.

Inspired by?
Kara-Lis Coverdale’s music. Specifically the song Touch Me & Die off their Afertouches album. This music is great for meditation, dropping into a creative process, listening to at the end of the day to unwind from the craziness of the day, and dancing. I love music and sounds that make me feel a variety of emotions every time I listen to it.

Tripping over?
I’m constantly tripping over a healthy work/life balance. It is so necessary to take steps back when it all feels overwhelming to look at the work I produce with fresh rested eyes. Running a sustainable brand isn’t possible if I don’t have a sustainable lifestyle that includes self care and boundaries with my career.

Snacking on?
Sweet, plump, juicy cherry tomatoes picked ripened and straight off the vine in my garden.

SHOP: Josephine Bodysuit // Ailey Pant // Misty Bralette 

There’s something so relatable about a strawberry. Maybe because they’re the only fruit to wear its seeds on the outside. They’re tart to start, then sweet as can be, but be careful – they bruise easily. 

This season, Marimekko, renowned Finnish design house known for their original prints, took to the strawberry to celebrate the summer. Strawberries are playful, youthful and eternal, much like Idun herself. 

Shop: Lenella Mansikka Dress

First, Marimekko’s Mansikka (strawberry) dress, a classic A-line dress with a V-neck and a front and back central seam. The dress has a wrinkled look and comes with a fabric pouch, making it a breeze to travel with, since there’s no need to be precious about folding it. Wear it for a backyard dinner, or at a more formal celebration, cheerings to anything and anyone. 

Shop: Mansikka Smartbag

Farmer’s markets, here we come. This lightweight and beyond sweet shopping bag also features Marimekko’s Mansikka (strawberry) pattern. It folds up neatly into a small pouch, so you can always keep it in your purse or car. No more excuses for not having a reusable bag on you. 

Shop: Kalliola Pieni Tori Shirt

Marimekko’s Tori (marketplace) print is meant to capture the atmosphere of a vibrant fruit market. We’re inspired. We’re imagining wearing this to lunch on a patio with a glass of Riesling. Fits oversized, so size down for a more fitted look. 

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Strawberries
by Edwin Morgan

There were never strawberries
like the ones we had
that sultry afternoon
sitting on the step
of the open french window
facing each other
your knees held in mine
the blue plates in our laps
the strawberries glistening
in the hot sunlight
we dipped them in sugar
looking at each other
not hurrying the feast
for one to come
the empty plates
laid on the stone together
with the two forks crossed
and I bent towards you
sweet in that air
in my arms
abandoned like a child
from your eager mouth
the taste of strawberries
in my memory
lean back again
let me love you

let the sun beat
on our forgetfulness
one hour of all
the heat intense
and summer lightning
on the Kilpatrick hills

let the storm wash the plates

--

~strawberry~
by Misamurai Tanbo

The taste of first love
is like a strawberry
mostly sweet
but sometimes sour