Posted By: Katherine Price
Last week I met the owners of an amazing environmentally conscious boutique called Foat Design, which is located off of Marshall in NE Minneapolis. The two founders of Foat Design are seriously rad twin sisters Kaja and Zoe Foat. I was impressed with their experiences, knowledge, and commitment to eco-decision making.  Foat Design is a successful business venture that we should all be proud is right in the Arts District of our own beautiful Minneapolis.

Born and raised in Minneapolis both twins ended up living in New York City working as Studio Managers, this is where they developed the skills it takes to run a multi-facetted business like Foat. Eventually their experience in NYC led to the start of the women’s very own business. When Foat Design became a brand about ten years ago, green business was a barely recognizable term. Both women chuckled when discussing how they used to skirt around the fact that recycled and “damaged” textiles are purposefully sourced in the making of Foat’s garment lines. The seeking of “green” clothing brands is a relatively new consumer trend. The Foat twins were taught by their mother that keeping things out of the landfill is easy by finding alternative ways to dispose of waste. It was organic for them to bring this imbedded belief into Foat’s business plan.

Photo Credit: Johnny Myhers Images
Foat Design umbrellas three brands: Foat Yoga, Foat Couture and Foat Bridal, all three brands can boast the Green America seal of approval. Every garment is cut and sewn by hand, the textiles painstakingly researched, and designing is meticulously planned and executed. Interns are used in construction but Zoe and Kaja have a handle on the sourcing and designing, one or both of the twins’ picking out every fabric and color, down to the last scrap.

Photo Credit: Johnny Myhers Images

I am astounded by everything these women have accomplished in their short lives (They don’t look a day over 25!). They have three very successful lines of fashion and on top of that they also are certified Jivamutki Yoga instructors. They even use the Foat studio to host work shops lead by either Kaja or Zoe in the flesh.

Foat is a perfect example of how successful an eco-minded idea can be, “green” business has promise with the right amount of passion and know how. Sol Inspirations gives many kudos to the Foat sisters and their amazing brand of eco-fashion. As their mission states, they truly are pioneers in recycling clothes and fabrics in the name of fashion. I urge you all to take a trip to their website or etsy site, get on their email list and lastly but most importantly, trek to Foat’s retail location. The clothes are great, the women themselves are wonderful and intelligent while the studio’s environment makes you feel as it you stepped out of Minnesota and into a chic boutique that could very well be in Europe.

Connect with Foat Design:
Facebook Page
Foat’s Website
Foat’s Etsy

Network with Fashion Industry Professionals

RED STAG SUPPERCLUB
OCT 5th, 4PM-6PM

Minnesota’s fashion industry is growing fast and is gaining national and international recognition. Minnesota Fashion Connect is pulling our industry together by providing a platform to grow, prepare for new business opportunities and make money!

Fashion Network Happy Hour is a free networking event for Fashion Industry professionals to network, meet new clients, research vendors, advertise and keep up to date on latest fashion trends.

Our first event will be during Minnesota Fashion Week on October 5^th, 2011 hosted by Red Stag Supperclub between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Hors  d’oeuvres and Red Stag Happy Hour drink specials will be available along with an exclusive event special – $1.00 off organic wines.

At 5:00 PM, there will be an opportunity for everyone to give their elevator speech. This is crucial opportunity for you and your business to utilize a free and impactful message for the fashion industry about goods and services that you provide.

You can sponsor this event for $50 and another $50 for booth space. Email contact@geo-planet.org to sign up.

Event Schedule:

4:00 PM – Sol Inspirations Eco Fashion Exhibition

5:00 PM – Elevator speech opportunity and Meet and Greet

This event will include, but are not limited to these professions:

Buyers

Designers

Boutiques

Salons

Modeling and Talent Agencies

Hair and Makeup

Stylists

Photographers

Models

Ad Agencies

Social Media Firms

PR Firms

Textile Manufacturers

Community Organizers

Press

Printers

B2B services

Production and Equipment Services

This is a Sol Inspirations Event.  www.Sol-Inspirations.org