Ethically-made products for ethically-minded women.


Brand: Christy Dawn

Product(s): women’s apparel

Price: from $80

Eco / Ethical: made in LA using deadstock fabrics; employees receive competitive wages and benefits



I’m seeing uber-feminine floral dresses everywhere these days and, after a lot of research (ahem, shopping), I’m confident that the best ones are by LA label, Christy Dawn.



Christy Dawn’s designs are inspired by her hometown of Placerville, California, a “timeless town” where “little has changed in the past hundred years.” While the dresses and jumpsuits have an undeniable throwback feel, the unique details and flattering shapes make them feel completely new.



Each piece is made in a factory in Downtown LA, exclusively from deadstock fabrics – leftovers from other fashion brands that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Consequently, every style is limited, which makes them feel all the more special.



The seamstresses that make the collection are paid a competitive wage and receive health benefits and paid-time-off. I’m becoming increasingly aware that there is more to think about than just where and how a product is made – compensation and benefits for workers are equally as important. Christy Dawn sets the bar high, and I hope to see more brands follow suit.




Rita Mehta shops for a living and talks a lot. She launched her website, The American Edit, and podcast, Why Do We Have Things? so she’d have a place to talk about some of the things she’s most passionate about: American made design, responsible manufacturing, and conscious consumption. You can follow her on Instagram or Twitter.