SVILU designers Britt Cosgrove and Marina Polo started their design journey together in 2012 with the intention of creating woman’s staples borrowed from the boys. Environmentally sustainable and socially conscious, SVILU’s silhouettes reflect the subtle elegance and thoughtfulness of their design process, breathing truth to their “Mindfully Made” motto.

Cosgrove and Polo have always been aware of the importance of their design decisions. Sustainability was never an after-thought for them;  instead, it was the foundation on which SVILU was created.  “We started doing this from the beginning, it’s part of our DNA,” Cosgrove said. “It was something we decided to do just because it makes sense.”

Sustainability has always been a work in progress for the designers. As Cosgrove and Polo expand their understanding of sustainability in fashion, they evolve their design practices accordingly. Through their participation in the CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative, they discovered the environmental and social impacts of synthetic dyes. It’s something they had never thought much about before

Cosgrove and Polo’s new knowledge and understanding of dye impacts inspired them to start experimenting with natural dyes, which kicked off via a collaboration with The Dogwood Dyer. “Part of what makes [the] collection so special is that it is limited,” Polo explained. “it’s a personal and small and unique process, each is different and hand done.”

Natural dyes started as a sustainable design solution, and are now a beloved part of the SVILU collection.

As sustainability continues to become the new norm in the industry, it remains the important guidepost for Cosgrove and Polo that it has always been.

“We have power in our decisions,” Cosgrove said. “we’re committed to making mindful and empowering clothes.”

See more of the CFDA/Lexus Fashion* Initiative sustainability story by following #ReDesignFashion.