NEW ORLEANS DESIGNERS COLLABORATE FOR ZERO WASTE JEWELRY LINE
Passion Lilie and Beatrix Bell collaborate for limited-edition, handcrafted jewelry line (and why you should care)
Slow fashion is on the rise
Ultra-fast fashion may be on the rise, but so is the slow-fashion movement if you look for it. My mission in life is to improve the world I live in, and because of my love for design, I have chosen to do this through fashion. I do acknowledge that this is a small step toward tackling the larger challenges we face as a global society, but I believe that by supporting the work of leaders within the communities I collaborate in, I can do my part in helping build a more equitable future, where everyone is treated with respect, including our planet.
What is Passion Lilie?
Passion Lilie is a fair trade fashion brand that blends classic silhouettes with hand woven ikat and playful block prints to create pieces that are both timeless by design and effortless to style. Each item is ethically handmade in small batches by craftspeople dedicated to preserving heritage techniques. Recognizing the negative impact of pesticides on biodiversity and the health of farming communities, we use durable natural fibers, organic cotton, and nontoxic dyes. We recognize the importance of keeping emission from gasses contributing to global warming (CO2) as low as possible, which is why we have created a supply chain built on sourcing from areas local to where we produce.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is about more than how we think about our environmental impact, it’s also about the way we run our business. We believe in nurturing economic sustainability by collaborating with partners in India who are dedicated to paying fair living wages, creating a safe and healthy work environment, and investing in the overall wellbeing of the artisans they employ. Sustainable change is about going beyond fair wages, which is why we make sure our artisan partners are provided with opportunities for community development and to further their skills.
People need to understand that shopping is sustainable and living a sustainable lifestyle doesn't have to be expensive. We're believers that it is better to buy a few quality pieces that you love over lots of mass produced pieces that you rarely wear. Fast fashion is so clearly harmful to people and the planet (if you do even a small bit of research). What’s concerning to me is that lately I have seen many fast fashion brands creating "sustainable collections," which in a sense is greenwashing because these aren’t sustainable brands with sustainable or fair trade practices. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Someone somewhere is paying. This is why shopping true sustainable brands is so important.
Thanks, pandemic!
When I realized I had fabric leftover from making masks last year, I knew I wanted to use it. I couldn’t throw it out! I started working tirelessly making masks at the beginning of the pandemic because that’s what was selling. The idea of a jewelry line popped into my mind - but I’m not a jewelry expert!
My friend and fellow small business owner Beatrix Bell is! Beatrixbell Handcrafted Jewelry started as a booth next to a pecan stand in south Louisiana and has since blossomed into a boutique brand that has been featured in more than 200 brick and mortar stores across the United States. Bell creates each piece with skillful craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Bell owns a shop on Algiers Point in New Orleans. The vast majority of her business stems from tourists. Though she had to pivot drastically to keep her business going during the pandemic just like myself, she calls projects like this one the “silver lining.”
Our limited-edition, zero-waste jewelry line has a piece for every type of customer. The leftover fabrics are all unique which gives each piece its own personality. The colors of the collection are neutral yet vibrant at the same time. I relied on Bell’s expertise to create unique, handcrafted designs. The collection includes tassel pieces, bigger statement pieces and a few others. As a bonus, the fabric is light so the statement pieces are comfortable, which was a unique and fun challenge for my friend who usually works with stones and metal!
You can shop the collection online at passionlilie.com, beatrixbell.com or in person at 337 Morgan St. Suite A, New Orleans, LA 70114, or at The Good Shop 1114 Josephine St, New Orleans, LA 70130.
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