YOLOTLI was founded in 2012 with the goal to counter the throwaway culture we are surrounded by. We are committed to design and craft clothes and accessories that fit the zeitgeist of a sustainable lifestyle and help draw attention to the positive impact of a more conscious way of living. We combine art, style and longevity by promoting excellent craftsmanship, artisanal techniques and the use of highest quality natural materials that can decompose at the end of their life span. We design minimally so our pieces become timeless wardrobe staples and we make things well so they last and can be repaired if needed. Our process takes time and often leads us to collaborations with artists and artisans. Every piece that leaves our studio was made in the Bay Area, has a handmade and unique feel and tells a story.

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Materials & Ingredients
We use highest quality natural materials and sometimes recycle existing non-natural materials. Often our fabrics are dead stock but we also try to source locally and from countries and factories where we know environmental and social sustainability practices are in place.

Packaging & Delivery
We use leftover paper from pattern pieces or selvedge fabric edges from production as packaging materials. Sometimes we use cotton bags that can be reused or re-gifted.

Quality & Value
To begin with, we exclusively use high-quality materials, and often pre-wash fabrics so that garments won’t shrink after purchase and mostly finish our seams with old-fashioned sewing techniques (no raw edges anywhere). In order to be able to guarantee good quality, all of our garments are sewn here in the Bay Area, either by ourselves or at well-established sewing houses.

Waste Reduction
We work with a pattern maker to make sure we minimize waste for garments that are not zero-waste but we also have zero waste patterns that literally use every bit of the fabric.

Local Supply Chains
We often work with artisans that hand-dye and embroider our garments. Some of the fabrics we use have been made within the Bay Area fibershed.

Energy Efficiency
We have a small studio space with lots of daylight.

Craft & Collaboration
The majority of our pieces are handmade and we often work with artists and/or artisans to help keeping these techniques alive in our area. For this year’s capsule collection we are working with a local natural dyer and a local embroiderer.

Goals & Aspirations
I would like to work with recycled fabrics, more organic fabrics, source more fabrics domestically and use more smart techniques to make zero-waste garments more flattering.