Grappling with the uneasy state of the world, and the looming threat of environmental protection rollbacks following this year’s U.S. presidential election, designer Maria McManus said she had been questioning the purpose of her namesake brand’s sustainability efforts. However, after coming across a quote by Emily Dickinson — “In this short life that only lasts an hour. How much — how little — is within our power” — she continued to push forward.
“Even if what we can do is really tiny, it’s still something, and maybe it sends a message,” she said of her brand’s ongoing efforts to protect the planet and communities.
For pre-fall, this meant introducing new sustainable and natural materials throughout her elevated, summer-leaning collection. For instance, finishing a reversible print jacquard dress and lightweight knits with new eco-friendly pearlescent Australian shell buttons; utilizing a new low environmental-impact hemp material, which gave a “masculine chambray kind of look” to slouchy pants and oversize shirts, and introducing a perfectly fitted white T-shirt with almost elbow-length sleeves in organic cotton, to name a few.
McManus was also inspired by the 19th-century American poet’s only surviving garment — a white embroidered and lace-detailed cotton dress. Said lace became one of the main materials throughout the lineup, which she said followed her vision for sustainability, “but also quality and craft and how to protect craft.”
Sourced from a mill in Northern France that’s been in operation since 1887 (since almost Dickinson times), lace was turned into a strong amount of options, ranging from a full lace bodysuit paired with baggy responsible wool trousers, or great skater shorts, to pencil skirts with lingerie-stitched, matte twill wool pulp and recycled waste Naia Renew material waistbands. Lace also adorned the busts and sides of chic organic cotton long lace stitch dresses and an oversize polo cardigan, and was turned into a full-length white frock.
Throughout the collection, McManus imbued each garment with the thoughtfulness and care that continue to push forward her ultra-chic, growing brand.
