Going Green with Sara Kirsner
By Denise Tong
All things “green” have been in the news lately—from hybrid cars to Al Gore’s Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth—so it comes as no surprise that some women are seeking environmentally friendly clothing. Unfortunately, they often have to decide between being eco-conscious and style-conscious. Luckily, Sara Kirsner’s company Doie ensures that no one needs to make that choice anymore.
Originally from northern California, Kirsner was raised in an environmentally conscious family; her fashion sense was stoked at a young age by her stylish grandmother Doie.
Kirsner came to New York to study at the Parsons School of Design, where she received a degree in Fashion Design. After graduating, she interned at Marc Jacobs and DKNY, and freelanced for Ann Taylor. After deciding that the hectic high fashion world and the corporate fashion scene weren’t her speed, Kirsner began to consider starting her own company.
Shortly after the idea was born, Kirsner visited Vietnam and Cambodia. A longtime fan of various Asian styles, she had a few samples made by local tailors while in the Vietnamese village of Hoi An. Upon returning to the States, she began her own line of loungewear.
Eventually, Kirsner switched from cotton to bamboo in the spirit of eco-friendliness. Bamboo fiber, which is 100% biodegradable, is completely sustainable and can be grown without pesticides. In addition to being good for the environment, the fabric is pleasing to wear too—naturally anti-microbial and therefore unable to house bacteria, the fabric remains odor-free longer than others.
From there, Doie has branched out to include dresses, hoodies, and camisoles. Kirsner’s comfortable designs appeal to a wide range of people, from young girls to grandmothers. While most customers come from within the country, the company has started to generate strong interest from the United Kingdom and Canada.
Doie has also been featured in publications including Women’s Wear Daily and Gotham magazine, and will be featured in a future issue of Allure Korea.
Kirsner chatted with Current Vine about her favorite eco-friendly shop spots, the importance of comfort, and the wonders of bamboo.
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CV: How long have you been interested in fashion?
SK: For as long as I can remember. I used to draw mini “collections” when I was in grade school and I tried to give my friends makeovers in fourth grade. I also made little outfits for my Barbies and gave them makeovers by cutting their hair and “dyeing” it with nail polish.
CV: What are the guiding principles of your designs?
SK: Comfort, style, and sustainability. I want to create clothing that looks amazing, but is so comfortable that I don’t want to take it off when I get home. I think that I have accomplished that so far with Doie.
Regarding the material I use, bamboo fabric is incredibly soft and has a natural sheen; it is naturally breathable to help keep you dry and comfortable. It stays around two degrees cooler in hot weather and can also keep you warmer in cool weather. It is a wonder fabric.
CV: What about Asian styles appeals to you, and what other influences do you have?
SK: I have always been drawn to different Asian cultures, foods, art, and textiles. I have traveled to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, and Singapore; I will be going to Bali in April. It is mostly an unexplainable draw. Japanese prints are very distinct; I love them and the colors that are used. I am pretty convinced that I was either Japanese or Thai in a previous life.
And while my clothes are stylish, they do not strictly follow the trends, although I do use some elements that are out there. It is hard not to be influenced by trends, but I want my clothes to be worn for more than one season.
CV: Which have been your most popular designs so far, and what do you plan to try in the future?
SK: The hoodie and tie pants are a staple and have done really well—everyone who has bought them has absolutely loved them. The kimono robe went very quickly. For spring, there has been a lot of interest in the wrap top and the Nagameru dress. The shorts also seem to be pretty popular.
If I do try something new with the line, I will most likely do maternity wear. I am at the age where some of my friends are starting to have babies and they all want comfortable, stylish maternity clothing.
CV: Who are some of your favorite designers?
SK: I think that Donna Karan has nailed it when it comes to stylish clothes that can be worn for many years and really fit well. I also love Marc Jacobs—his clothes always surprise me in a good way. Since I interned for both of their companies, I am hoping that something rubbed off on me there.
BCBG is another longtime favorite. I also love Development, Catherine Malandrino, and Rebecca Taylor.
My favorite modern artist is Drew Beam, a longtime friend who does really amazing and beautiful work. I especially love his paintings that are done with a blowtorch on large wooden panels—they are very inspirational.
CV: What moments or events have stood out for you over the course of your company’s existence?
SK: The experience that affected me the most happened last spring. I was on a road trip in L.A. with my friend Dana, and we drove by Fred Segal. I had some samples in the back and I told her that we could not leave L.A. without going in there and at least showing someone my line.
I was really nervous. I showed one of the buyers my line and she ordered some pieces on the spot. When I left the store I was shaking—I could not believe that I was going to have something in Fred Segal. It made everything seem real.
I realize now that it is dangerous to put so much emphasis on one store or feeling like one thing is going to make or break you. Different people order for different seasons and you cannot get wrapped up in thinking that the worth of your company lies in the opinions of certain buyers. Plus, it takes quantity to really boost your company.
I find now that there are little everyday things that are gratifying. I accomplish new goals with the company all the time. It is really great to wake up everyday excited to work, even on the really hard days. I had never felt that way before I started this company; it is a really great feeling.
CV: How do you suggest people go about building an environmentally-friendly wardrobe?
SK: I think the easiest way is to check out Web sites that carry eco-lines. There are a ton of them out there; you just have to find them. Some great ones are Pangaya.com, ShopEnvi.com, NubiusOrganics.com, and FutureGreen.net.
There are also a lot of new stores that carry only eco-friendly brands of clothing. They do the work for you by finding clothes that are organic or sustainable. There are plenty of Web sites and stores that also carry eco-friendly house products; VivaTerra.com is a great one.
Buying eco-friendly clothing is kind of like buying organic food—there is junk food everywhere and it is easy to find, but if you seek out and buy organic food, you usually look and feel better. The same holds true for eco-friendly clothing—it might not always be easy to find, but when you find it you will feel better about the clothes you’re wearing and you’ll also look amazing!
—Denise Tong
Pictured: Ponderosa dress. Photo courtesy Doie.
