Q&A With Stephanie Doucette of Doucette Duvall |
Published by Vanessa Brunner under Clothing, Designers
Doucette Duvall was born on a fire escape on Mulberry Street in New York City. Neighbors Annet Duvall and Stephanie Doucette shared a love of style, fashion–and as they love to call her–”Madame Earth.” On Valentine’s Day 2005, the pair launched their line of simple yet glamorous dresses and coats.
In order to avoid the ghastly carbon footprint that comes with so many beginning fashion labels, Doucette Duvall produces their entire line in the historic garment district of New York City, uses pre-existing fabric and trim, gets rids of extra garment bags and tags, and ships in all recycled boxes.
When asked who their customer is on their website, the pair provides the following response:
She is witty, confident, smart, independent, a risk taker and not a follower, in love with life and respectful of Madame Earth. Her style is devil-may-care… downtown chic combined with an unabashed flair to mix patterns/prints/textures in a freshly unique way.
Sounds like a fabulous way to live.
Q & A:
What inspires your line?
Usually a soon-to-be-rescued fabric…
It could be a found treasure while thrifting…
Or even something from our mom’s closet….
How did you get started in fashion?
I think a love for fashion is genetic. It has to be in the bloodline somehow…
Our grandmothers, moms, aunties, etc are who led us into this business.
What about your line is Eco-Friendly?
We make a genuine and concerted effort to ensure that 75% or more of collection is created from pre-existing materials. This means everything from self to trim (hence, our “rescued’” goods philosophy).
This really lightens our footprint, since we are rarely ordering materials made abroad and thus, saving would-be resources used to make and ship those goods.
In addition, we manufacture everything here in NYC. Again, fewer resources needed, plus we’re employing skilled labor right here in our fair city.
Why do you think it is important for fashion to start implementing green practices?
Fashion is a fundamental in most peoples’ lives. You don’t have to read Vogue to acknowledge that we all get dressed, go to work, and present ourselves in a way that is in some respect, thoughtful and indicative of who we are.
Given the significance of this industry, we need to light the path toward a shift in perspective.
We all need to consider:
*Quality goods vs. disposable goods
*Stateside production vs. overseas manufacturing
*Valued employees/companies who really care vs. unknown working conditions
Environmentally, what is a high priority for you as a designer?
Sewing local.
Breathing new life into existing materials.
What new things are in store for Doucette Duvall?
We’ve recently embarked on the world of separates!
Trés coolio.
We started wearing our separates more than our dresses, so it was a very natural progression.
Generally, separates allow for more creativity when getting dressed, and I think we definitely needed that outlet this season.
What would you say is your personal style? Do you think that this comes across in your line?
Color. Print. Utility. Unexpected. Comfort. Indulgent. Light.
All of this represents who Doucette Duvall is, how we dress, and what we make.
What are three things every woman should have in her wardrobe?
1. Fantastic denim
2. A perfect white blouse that works w/everything
3. lgd (little green dress, by Doucette Duvall of course! As a reminder of our commitment to Madame Earth)
For more on Doucette Duvall, visit their website at www.doucetteduvall.com
One Response to “Q&A With Stephanie Doucette of Doucette Duvall”
Leave a Reply
Find Us
Blog Sponsors
Featured Designers
-
A Lot To Say
AirDye
Alabama Chanin
Beyond Skin
Bibico
Bobelle
Desira Pesta
Doucette Duvall
Eco-Citizen
Ecoist
EcoLogiQue
ecoSkin
Escama Studio
Feral Childe
Greenbees
Jackston, Johnson, & Roe
Jen Darling
Kill Spencer
Komodo
Mountains of the Moon
Nau
Novacas
Olsenhaus
Popomomo
Prairie Underground
Rani Jones
Remade USA
SUST
Te Casan by Natalie Portman
Terra Plana
TRAIDremade
Zachary's Smile
Sustainable Fashion
Fashion/Style Blogs
Sustainable Shopping
Sustainable Design
Green Living
Featured Blogs
-
Bibico
Clary Sage Organics
Commerce With A Conscience
Craftzine
EcoFashionWorld
Ecouterre
Ecouterre
Ecouterre
Fig + Sage
Full Frontal Fashion
Green Eyed
Green Grechen
Green LA Girl
Inhabitat
Kind Boutique
Lizard Lounge
My Green Lipstick
NOTCOUTURE
Paper Doll
Sustain Your Style
Threadbanger
To Be The Change
Traveling Greener
Under the Canopy
Tags
Architecture bamboo David Gottfried eco-fashion ecotourism Etsy Fair Trade Fashion green green fashion Greenwashing LED LEED organic organic cotton Prius recycled Retail reuse Reuse/Recycle San Francisco Solar Sustainability Sustainable Design Travel USGBC vintage VOC waste Wind
Green By Design on Twitter
Recent Comments
Archives
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007








[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by doucette duvall. doucette duvall said: Q+A with Stephanie Doucette of Doucette Duvall http://bit.ly/5xIWL [...]