model in the great raspberry color sweatshirt   Credit: Courtesy of The Great



 Self Made   View Series             Asia Carreathers Co-Launched This Sustainable Agriculture Brand to Make Growing Your Own Food Safer and Easier            Nya Jones' Journal Brand Will Help You Express Yourself—and Boost Your Mental Health            Sonya Vega, the Founder and CEO of Doña Vega, Wants to Share Her Modern Take on Mezcal With the World            Sunny&Ted Founder Jasmine Williams Is Spreading Holiday Cheer With Her Diverse Line of Home Décor        

model in the great raspberry color sweatshirt   Credit: Courtesy of The Great

model in the great raspberry color sweatshirt Credit: Courtesy of The Great

model in the great raspberry color sweatshirt

Credit: Courtesy of The Great

Have you ever wondered how to turn your dreams of owning your own business into a reality? We can help. Each week, as part of our Self Made series, we showcase female entrepreneurs-as well as their quality, handmade goods-and share their best advice related to starting, maintaining, and growing your own business

Anyone would agree that visiting a farmers’ market is full of sensory experiences: Whether it’s the vibrant green hue of heirloom tomatoes, the delicate scent of freshly baked bread and roasted chestnuts, or the touch of crisp, leafy greens, everything in nature serves up inspiration.

Much like a trip to the local farmer’s market, THE GREAT, a women’s wear collection designed by styling duo Emily Current and Merit Elliott, is harvesting inspiration from nature with their latest capsule collection titled From The Garden: A Plant-Based Dye Capsule of naturally dyed pieces. It’s set to launch today, Friday, August 13.

A Rainbow of Color

By shopping the collection, sustainably-minded shoppers can enjoy garments that have been naturally dyed in vibrant botanical hues and made by an independent, women-owned factory in Pennsylvania. The collection is composed of eight styles, four knit styles (tees, sweatpants, jersey crop bottoms in five colors), vegetable and herbal dyed denim, as well as bandanas, socks, and beanies. Each piece is skillfully dyed using natural material such as madder root (for raspberry and light pink), pomegranate (yellow), chestnut bark (brown), and indigo leaves (blue).

“We love the color,” says Current. “Natural dyeing is a beautiful, tangible way to connect with nature and explore the colors we love in a new way—through the lens of the garden, rather than sifting through a Pantone book or fabric swatches.” Both of the designers share it is meant to praise the talent of hand-dyeing as well as spotlight the botanical hues that are eccentric to gardens.

   the great college sweatshirt light pink         model in the great billy jean palmetto colors         model wearing the great college sweatshirt in yellow

Left: Credit: Courtesy of The Great Center: Credit: Courtesy of The Great Right: Credit: Courtesy of The Great

A Greener Process

“The creation of this collection has encouraged us to slow down and appreciate our relationship,” adds Elliott, “as both creators and consumers, with our environment and all the beauty that grows within it.” Aside from producing uniquely colored pieces, opting to dye the fabric in this way eliminates harmful dyes for a more eco-friendly process. In fact, the facility collects 60,000 gallons of rainwater in a cistern under the building, which allows for impurities to be removed naturally from the water, which would otherwise impact the colors on fiber.

The designers explain that after the dye is used, it still has the dye mordant (non-toxic) and organic plant matter, which are both compostable. “Every fiber accepts botanical dye in different ways, making every dye lot 100 percent unique,” says Current. “Natural dyes will have some level of color and tonal variation. This is inherent in the dye-stuff and not considered a fault or irregular.”

Anyone who gardens or enjoys sustainably sourced food can appreciate the ever-evolving beauty of Mother Nature’s bounty. THE GREAT’s latest collection is much like this—it’s a small batch, limited-run capsule collection yet with lasting power through all seasons.

  the great college sweatshirt light pink         model in the great billy jean palmetto colors         model wearing the great college sweatshirt in yellow      

 the great college sweatshirt light pink         model in the great billy jean palmetto colors         model wearing the great college sweatshirt in yellow     

the great college sweatshirt light pink    

model in the great billy jean palmetto colors    

model wearing the great college sweatshirt in yellow

the great college sweatshirt light pink

the great college sweatshirt light pink

model in the great billy jean palmetto colors

model in the great billy jean palmetto colors

model wearing the great college sweatshirt in yellow

model wearing the great college sweatshirt in yellow

Left: Credit: Courtesy of The Great

Center: Credit: Courtesy of The Great

Right: Credit: Courtesy of The Great

Self Made   View Series             Asia Carreathers Co-Launched This Sustainable Agriculture Brand to Make Growing Your Own Food Safer and Easier            Nya Jones' Journal Brand Will Help You Express Yourself—and Boost Your Mental Health            Sonya Vega, the Founder and CEO of Doña Vega, Wants to Share Her Modern Take on Mezcal With the World            Sunny&Ted Founder Jasmine Williams Is Spreading Holiday Cheer With Her Diverse Line of Home Décor

Self Made View Series

  • Asia Carreathers Co-Launched This Sustainable Agriculture Brand to Make Growing Your Own Food Safer and Easier Nya Jones’ Journal Brand Will Help You Express Yourself—and Boost Your Mental Health Sonya Vega, the Founder and CEO of Doña Vega, Wants to Share Her Modern Take on Mezcal With the World Sunny&Ted Founder Jasmine Williams Is Spreading Holiday Cheer With Her Diverse Line of Home Décor

    Self Made View Series

View Series