An Interview with Andira
By Ann Alexander Leggett
Filed Under Conscious Commerce, Sustainable Style, The Big Picture |
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Beth Doane, the owner and founder of Andira. She spoke about the company’s origin, goals and plans for the future. It’s an amazing company with products for a good cause.
Ann Alexander Leggett: First things first…I love the name Andira. What does it mean? Where does it come from?
Beth Doane: Andira is actually the name of a Brazilian tree species that has purple flowers. I was looking for a name that was both beautiful and unique and when I found this name I just feel in love. At the time I had no idea that it would reflect so precisely what I was going to do with my company. I knew that the Andira tree had been used for centuries by indigenous people for its medicinal properties and that due to logging and deforestation, the species has been vastly devastated-but I didn’t know at the time that I would be so thoroughly involved in saving trees like the Andira and working with indigenous people in tropical ecosystems directly. It has truly been an amazing journey.
Beth Doane, owner and founder of Andira
AAL: Explain the philosophy behind Andira
BD: Andira has evolved so much since I first started the company. Overall it is my goal to create global change by educating consumers on critical issues using industries such as fashion, and collections such as Rain Tees.
When I first started Andira I was simply doing import and distribution of mainly European brands to the US market. Unfortunately it was not really fulfilling and it kept getting more difficult as our currency continued to dip compared to the Euro as well.
Through my experiences and launching my own brand from the ground up I realized just how much I could offer to other designers and companies that wanted to launch their brands while keeping the process as eco conscious as possible. Friends of friends starting asking for my advice or help on their collections and it has just grown over time to the point where now we offer consulting, design, distribution and even marketing advice to brands, designers and even large corporations. Every Andira collection we design, import or help to produce is made using fair labor practices, and contains no animal parts or products. I have always supported animal rights and unforutnely animals are so often treated inhumanely for the fashion and beauty industries. It’s seriously atrocious and my research into this subject has really affected me. We also offer a “Rescue an Animal Program” through our charity Merazonia which rescues trafficked and abused Amazonian animals as its estimated that more than 12 million a year are taken from their homes and killed for their fur or sold to collectors annually. Its just ridiculous to me and like so many similar issues I feel it can be curbed dramatically through simply educating consumers.
AAL: What prompted you or what was the catalyst for you to start this company?
BD: I had lived overseas for a year after I graduated from college and while in countries such as Italy, France and Greece I fell in love with the artistic nature of European fashion, lifestyle and culture. I wanted to bring that artistry to the USA. I found a brand I was particularly in love with and started Andira to import, distribute and market it to the USA.
AAL: What products/styles are currently in the Andira line?
BD: Rain Tees is the first collection I designed and launched personally and its growing so fast its been truly amazing for us. We began Rain Tees with just tee shirts and are expanding to a larger line of totes, sweats and accessories. I also work with a brand from Barcelona called Demano which are an amazing line of recycled handbags known for their attention to detail and superior quality to other recycled lines. I also currently have 4 main clients that I am helping launch their respective brands. I have a client doing a line of luxury organic linens and a client with a gorgeous collection of baby clothes where everyone that sees them says “oh my god I love it”. That’s when I know we have a great product on our hands! Its just so fun to help others bring their dreams to life and make a difference while doing so.
AAL: What’s the inspiration for the designs on your T’s?
BD: With the Rain Tee collection I wanted to show consumers what was happening in the Amazon in a way that would truly make them stop to listen— and what better way to do that then through the eyes of a child? I wanted the children to be part of reforesting their homeland as well since someday this earth will be theirs and its crucial that they understand just how powerful they are and what they can accomplish.
AAL: Tell us about what goes into or what DOESN’T go into manufacturing your products
BD: I am huge on fair labor. I want everything that has Andira associated with it in any way to be made fairly and in strictly monitored and safe working conditions. I encourage all my clients to keep their manufacturing in the USA if its possible and oftentimes they find that its truly cost effective as well, depending on the product. If not made in the USA I am very careful with where I produce. With Rain Tees for example, I had them made right near the Amazon in Peru at family owned and operated factories where workers are paid 25% above average wagers. Trade between the USA and Peru is free as well so both countries benefit from a fair exchange. I also don’t use animal products in any of my lines and I love educating consumers and clients on what to look for when searching for the right manufacturing facility for their brands.
AAL: What’s next for Andira? Any new products we can look forward to?
BD: Our line of Rain Tee totes is going to be fantastic! Just like Rain Tees, each tote will have a story and a message behind it that we can each take out into the world and every tote will feature the artwork and thoughts of children living with Amazon deforestation. Keep checking andiraintl.com and raintees.com as well for new lines and products that we are working with.
Shop Andira at eConcious Market
