Elevating Intimate Wear, Sustainably.
An interview with Malory Taylor, Owner of the sustainable lingerie brand Ojai Lingerie in Ojai, CA.
The fashion industry, including the production of all clothes which people wear, contributes to around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions due to its long supply chains and energy intensive production.* The industry consumes more energy than the aviation and shipping industry combined.**
Paired with the outsourcing of atrocious working conditions, the exploitation of black and brown bodies and the environmental degradation beyond our purview, fast-fashion has had a knack for pulling the wool over our eyes. The industry has poured millions into blinding us to the practices and culture that have incentivized the erosion of worker rights, have polluted our planet and marketed to our deepest insecurities.
Adding to the myriad of controversial complexities that engulf the fashion industry, the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting the fashion industry hard from every angle. However, it is here that the opportunity has presented itself to rethink and reset the way in which we all interact with the clothing and brands we choose to wear.
Fast fashion that exploits both people and planet does not have to be our predestined future. From an awareness to how our clothing is made, to the way it is marketed, there is a local movement of conscious brands, store owners and designers that are showing us that there is in fact another way forward.
In this week’s feature, Malory Taylor of Ojai Lingerie shares how quality, ethics, empowering messaging, and sustainability is possible.
Sources:
*United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
**United Nations Convention of Climate Change
Name: Malory Taylor
Title: Owner at Ojai Lingerie
What is your criteria when choosing which brands to work with? I like to work with brands that have a great story and are transparent about their production. I also find myself learning something new all the time so I'm always incorporating new criteria for taking on new brands. I love brands with a solid, pro-female mission -- being eco-friendly is always the icing on the cake.
What makes this process different from traditional fashion brands/sourcing?
It takes a little more digging and a lot more paring down.
Can you explain a bit about what conscious fashion means and how it relates to your brand?
I think it means being content with less. It's all about being conscious of your impact on the earth and its earthlings. To me, it's not about being perfect or pretentious. I think that you have to look at what you have in your closet and find ways to make your clothing work for you. Buy what you need, wear it to death, repair it, then use the scraps if you can't donate it. When it comes to conscious fashion that might mean shopping local, thrifting, looking for sustainable fabrics such as bamboo or hemp, and just being aware how your garments were produced.
Social entrepreneurship can be intense, especially considering how deeply you care about larger societal issues and fostering relationships that extend far beyond lingerie. How has this outlook influenced how you approach and balance your business with your passion to create a better "human experience?"
I want women to realize that perfection is over-rated and imperfection is beautifully human. I love uplifting women in person but the online realm has allowed me a further reach. I'm not here with any sort of profound insights -- I just want to show women that scars, lumps, bumps, fat, are damn beautiful while promoting these cool ass brands.
What kind of difference do you believe ethical fashion can make for the world?
I think it has the potential to change it for the better. At the very least, I hope that it creates a more just world.
Why do you believe that fashion can be an avenue to empower women? Specifically, lingerie is so intimate - it's vulnerable and requires a lot of trust. Many moons ago I worked for a large lingerie company, and as I was assisting a young woman in the fitting room, tears began to well in her eyes. She confessed that she hated her stretch marks and was trying to find something to cover them; that broke my heart. Here is this beautiful woman who had recently given birth and all she wanted to do was hide. I think we've been lied to. My very first photo shoot with Ojai Lingerie-- I modeled one of my now best-selling bras. My tummy is full of stretch-marks and I love them. I want to help normalize self-love and I just want to offer my customers garments I actually feel good about selling. That's why I say 'we're just the frame, you're already the masterpiece.'
Do you see or feel the incorporation of social justice movements within the clothing/garment industry? If so, how do you feel Ojai Lingerie fits into this?
I think that Black people are being given a fighting chance in the garment industry. I'm loving seeing rising stars such as Underargument (I'm coming for you, I swear). I'm appreciating my allies for their support and making room for us at the table. It's been a long time coming. I don’t think I would have received the same attention had it not been for the #amplifymelanatedvoices project on Instagram. I'm one of the few Black business owners in Ojai and I hope to start seeing more. Black lives matter, and so do our businesses.
What do you hope for the future of Ojai Lingerie?
I'm looking forward to reopening my physical shop next year. I'm not much of an internet mogul-- I really just want my small shop and to be surrounded by the people I love.
How can residents of Ventura County best support your business?
Visit me online at www.ojailingerie.com and sign up for my newsletter!
“I want women to realize that perfection is over-rated and imperfection is beautifully human.”
- Malory Taylor