4 years of Vincent James
what started as a kitchen floor creative outlet has become our commitment to a regenerative lifestyle
4 years ago today I held a party at my home in Chicago to celebrate the launch of Vincent James. 2 ish years before that I started working on something that I knew I needed to try or wake up in 20 years with regret. I know now the conviction came from a desire to take back who I was before having 4 children, a need to find therapy in creativity and a passion for preserving and working in collaboration with our mother. I also simply needed to get my style groove back.
The designs started simple and evolved but have always focused on the highest quality natural fabrics + fibers grown at least sustainably and now regeneratively. We continue to source more domestically from small businesses with a benefit to local land, economies and communities. Our pieces have and will always be knit and sewn in the US.
The design goal was to create a functional + timeless capsule wardrobe inspired by the way clothes make us feel more than anything: feminine, smart, capable, chic and always in touch with nature (the energy from natural fabrics grown without pesticides and sourced from happy animals allowed their natural tendencies is palpable). When a minimal wardrobe has that je ne sais quoi required to make you FEEL really damn good, getting dressed is truly life enhancing.
So what is it about our pieces that allows them to qualify for the above? I see Vincent James’ designs as a dance with the juxtaposition of demur + daring, relevant + respectable while keeping a keen eye on timeless, effortless + chic. To pick a few of your (and my) favorites: it’s the length and drape of our dusters that makes them stand out (I challenge you to wear it and not feel like a beautiful boss); the oversized but still edgy vibe of the button front cardigan that lends interest + ease to any look; the body skimming seasonless sensuality of the reversible sweater dress; the feminine yet commanding fit of our wide leg trousers, the slinky sensuality of the merino slip dress, tube top and wider leg pants and the palpable earthy romance of the regenerative organic cotton knits that will keep us coming back to these designs and the women we are when we wear them.
All of this brings me to my mission for our 4th anniversary and beyond: thoughtful growth, expansion, peace + purpose.
With gratitude for your style and commitment to small business + a regenerative lifestyle.
Heather
How did you decide to move from Chicago to Charleston?