Swords-Smith, an apparel and accessories retailer for independent designers, today announced the opening of its collaborative “sustainable marketplace” with Kowtow, a New Zealand-based ethical clothing brand. Kowtow’s fall 2017 “Pace Forward” collection is now available through the sustainable marketplace online platform and Kowtow’s pop-up shop will open at Swords-Smith’s retail location in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn from Aug. 24 through Sept. 21.
Founded in 2013 by married couple Briana Swords and R. Smith, Swords-Smith is a retailer for “adventurous” fashion brands that underscore quality and artistry. The store and its web site offer a selection of women’s wear, men’s wear, jewelry and accessories from more than 80 brands, which includes the in-house Swords-Smith collection and product offerings from friends, artists and exclusive brand collaborations. Its store functions as a creative space that is often utilized for pop-up shops, art installations, designer events and parties.
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Kowtow’s “Pace Forward” collection is inspired by “the simplicity of daily rituals, with hints of modernist architecture, contemporary art and minimalism,” the company said. Its fabrics are designed in-house and wholly exclusive. The firm is pledged to sustainability via the use of fair trade-certified organic cottons, ethically sourced trims, sustainable packaging, “mindful” manufacturing practices and Global Organic Textile Standard approved dyes.
The Swords-Smith x Kowtow pop-up will offer the largest selection of Kowtow products in the U.S. Its “Pace Forward” collection presents a “playful” color assemblage that integrates rose, mint, Sherbet-inspired colors and pastel checks that contrast with olive, marigold and evergreen.
Gosia Piatek, creative director of Kowtow, said, “All of our fabrics are exclusive to us — every detail [including] texture, color, yarn weight, hand feel, warp, and weft. They are all purposely chosen.”
Briana Swords of Swords-Smith, said, “We love the clean, modern design of the Kowtow collection. We are the top-selling retailer of Kowtow in the U.S. and our clients really respond to the effortless silhouettes and sustainable production. We’re excited to offer such a large selection of the collection at the sustainable marketplace.”
The sustainable marketplace pop-up will open at a one-night only in-store event on Aug. 24. Ten percent of all Kowtow purchases from the event will go to Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization.
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