You guys have no idea how excited I am for today’s announcement and post. This collaboration has LITERALLY been OVER A YEAR in the making (more on that in a bit…) and I have been CHOMPING at the bit to share it with you.
It’s no secret how much I love the company Elegantees. I wear their clothes all the time, I have written about them on this blog SO much, and I am so, so, so passionate about what they are doing to make a positive impact on the fashion industry AND on the world.
If this is your first time here, in short let me tell you about Elegantees… Elegantees is a brand that provides hope and opportunity through employment and training to women survivors of sex trafficking in Nepal! Amazing.
Well, when Katie, the founder of Elegantees, emailed me LAST SUMMER to ask about collaborating with them on an Elegantees top, I think I replied within like 12 seconds with “YES!” and about 1,000 exclamation points. This is LITERALLY a dream come true for me. In fact, in 2013, I wrote on this very blog that I had a dream of doing a big collaboration with a brand one day… and while it might be 3 years later, it has come true!
(You can use the code “MOLLY” for 10% off your purchase AND Elegantees now offers FREE SHIPPING, free returns, AND free exchanges for all US addresses! WOOHOO!!!!!)
It’s such a versatile piece and DEFINITELY a staple top for fall and winter! The only dilemma… do you get it in estate blue or meteorite? Also, keep reading to read more about how WHY this was over a year in the making and a little bit more about our collaboration!
Estate Blue “Molly” Tunic with white jeans and a clutch
Elegantees “Molly” Tunic (Use code “MOLLY” for 10% off!) | White Jeans | Necklace | Shoes | Earrings | Bag
Estate Blue “Molly” Tunic, tucked in with white jeans and a bold bag
Elegantees “Molly” Tunic | White Jeans | Necklace | Shoes | Earrings | Bag
Estate Blue “Molly” Tunic with white jeans and a ruana
Elegantees “Molly” Tunic | White Jeans | Necklace | Shoes | Earrings | Bag | Ruana
Estate Blue “Molly” Tunic with printed leggings and ankle booties
Elegantees “Molly” Tunic | LulaRoe Printed Leggings | Necklace | Earrings | Bag
Estate Blue “Molly” Tunic with printed leggings and a denim vest
Elegantees “Molly” Tunic | LulaRoe Printed Leggings | Denim Vest | Necklace | Earrings | Bag
Meterorite “Molly” Tunic with coated denim, a statement necklace, and gold loafers
Elegantees “Molly” Tunic | Coated Denim | Necklace | Earrings | Shoes
Meteorite “Molly” Tunic with printed leggings and black flats
Elegantees “Molly” Tunic | LulaRoe Printed Leggings | Earrings
Meteorite “Molly” Tunic with printed leggings, a striped cardigan, and black flats
Elegantees “Molly” Tunic | LulaRoe Printed Leggings | Pinkblush Cardigan | Earrings
So, when I was up in NYC in July for a conference, one of the things I got to do while I was up there was actually MEET Katie from Elegantees and see her studio and the initial sample for the tunic!
Now, WHY was this collaboration OVER A YEAR in the making? Well, we had the design DONE and even a sample done last fall and things were pretty much ready to roll. BUT, then the 2015 Nepal blockade happened which was a MASSIVE economic and humanitarian crisis in Nepal and caused a MAJOR shortage in petroleum because, basically, India stopped bringing it into Nepal. So, in short, there was essentially no gas… so the women were literally WALKING miles and miles to and from work, trucks couldn’t get out shipments, food and water were on short supply… it was awful! Well, because of that the Elegantees sewing center in Nepal had to massively cut back their production, exports, etc. I’m way over-simplifying an absolutely awful thing that happened to the people of Nepal, I just am, admittedly, not great at explaining it.
So, obviously so many other things became WAY more important (you know, like the livelihood of so many people in Nepal!), so we put the collaboration on hold.
And this past spring, we revved it back up again, and here we are!!!
Katie did such an amazing job bringing my style to life in this “Molly” tunic. I clearly am NOT a fashion designer, but Katie took my style and my loves and put it all into this tunic and it really embodies me… I love tunics (because I love longer shirts that I can wear with leggings, etc.), I love unique necklines, I love a-line cuts, I love 3/4 sleeves, and I love a boho feel. I also chose the estate blue and meteorite colors because I love how they’re great colors for fall, but are also so easy to pair with so many different things and are colors that flatter EVERYONE!
I also LOVE the little detail of the printed fabric on the inside of the collar. SO CUTE!
Katie is seriously such a sweetheart and is SO talented! She actually studied at FIT and has a background working in the fashion industry. She started Elegantees in 2010 in the hopes that she could use her experience in fashion to change the lives of women who have been victims of human trafficking in Nepal. And 6 years later, Elegantees has become a major brand and catalyst for change in the ethical and sustainable fashion movement.
I loved getting to hear more of Katie’s story, learn more about the behind-the-scenes workings of Elegantees, and see some of the beautiful clothing and designs in person!
Future designs, mayhaps?
Katie, you’re gorgeous!!
Katie’s design and inspiration board…
Anyway! I have to thank YOU GUYS for reading this blog and being so amazing and so supportive and for coming back and reading every day! I feel so blessed to be able to call this my job and I seriously am so grateful to y’all! And THANK YOU for supporting this collaboration and for being so encouraging!!!! I LOVE Y’ALL!!!!
I hope y’all love the Molly tunic as much as I do!
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*This is not sponsored… this is a collaboration I did with Elegantees because I love the brand so much. I am not receiving a commission on purchases or sales. 🙂