slides: Next of Kin: Turning Goodwill Clothing into Eco-Friendly Fashions

Monday, January 26, 2015

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Founder True North

After founding four startups, hiking 2,100 miles alone, and exploring 50 U.S. cities, True North is venturing in a new direction with Next of Kin Clothing.

“The only complaint I have received was from a guy that I created a vest for,” says Next of Kin founder True North. “He called me and said my wife won’t let me wear this to bed!”

North is making a name for herself in the world of sustainable local fashion with Next of Kin, a Portland based eco-friendly clothing brand that makes clothing exclusively from reclaimed materials.

Shoes, old t-shirts, curtains, tassels, and more are hand sewn together to create one of a kind pieces that reflect the personality of the wearer. “I knew I could buy textiles for 89 cents a pound at the bins, and make fabulous clothing,” says North. North even gets reclaimed thread from SCRAP as well as zippers, and shoe laces.

One of her strangest materials, was a cowboy boot. “I found a single cowboy boot at the bins and decided to turn it into a bustier top,” says North. After constructing the outer layer with the boot, North decided to use jean material to build the rest. It’s a sexy piece perfect for a night out, or a summer country music festival.

So how does she turn boots or old band tees into precious one of a kind creations? “I first go through all the clothing I have picked up,” says North. “If a piece starts to talk to me I will grab it off the rack and start to talk back. I ask what do you want to be?”

North takes before photos of the actual materials used, and then attaches a unique code to the final piece so the wearer can go online and learn the story behind the garment.

Next of Kin design.

Creating close relationships and community through clothing is North’s main goal. All the final pieces have a secret pocket, which she fills with a unique charm and love note. “It’s all about connecting the wearer with me and vice versa,” says North.

She also does closet interventions so to speak. “We pick the piece that a client loves but never wears from their closet, and turn it into a more fabulous garment than the original,”says North.

Her new venture is “Top Secret Tea Parties” where each week 10 guests have the opportunity to enjoy tea and possibly win a Next of Kin single edition work of art.

North hopes to get her pieces in boutiques as well as dress a couple of celebrities and musicians. Helena Bonham Carter is her dream client saying “she’s the female version of Johnny Depp!”

To learn more about True North and Next of Kin, click HERE.

Photo Credits: Next of Kin Clothing (Images cropped)

Related Slideshow: Next of Kin Designs by True North

After founding four startups, hiking 2,100 miles alone, and exploring 50 U.S. cities, True North is venturing in a new direction with Next of Kin Clothing.