San Rafael
Herderin
Herderin is a clothing design studio focused on creating sustainable silhouettes that embolden the body’s natural architecture, and make people feel comfortable. We exclusively source luxury natural, organic, and mostly US-based textiles, from ethical Rocky Mountain Merino Wool to US Hemp and Organic Cotton. We treat sourcing of our material like a chef would treat their ingredients.
Workspace
Our studio is an arid and clean space surrounded by eucalyptus groves. We make every piece in our studio, and keep a positive, intentional, and inviting atmosphere.
Production Model
We focus on small batch, made-to-order, handmade production. Each pattern is made by hand (instead of digitally), and every garment is cut one-by-one. We intentionally make every garment with the wearer in our thoughts and want them to feel the utmost comfort and healing. We are driven by intentionally minimalist approaches to design and consider our focus less on fashion and more on empathy.
Tools
We use classic tailor scissors and a mix of both vintage Swedish and industrial Japanese sewing machines, from Husqvarna to JUKI. We talk to our machines and do not treat them as mere equipment. They are so essential to what we do, and we are grateful to them.
Materials
We only use natural fabrics. We mostly source US-grown and processed organic knits that are soft and give a great deal of flexibility and durability, from hemp to organic cotton to merino wools. When fabrics are not US-based, we ensure rigid ethical, fair-trade standards in our partnerships. To us, accountability must be from seed to tagged garment. We are focused on creating garments that are fully biodegradable, which means that we also source natural elastic waistbands, instead of synthetic lycra. We seldom dye garments due to drought consciousness here in California, but when we do dye, it is non-toxic GOTS certified, or plant dyed in small batches.
Photo credit: Josh Soyombo