Over on Medium, I got some things off my chest in a personal essay – it’s a bit of a rant, a partial explanation of why things have been a bit quiet at Manuma this year. I don’t give a shit about small, local, vertically-integrated, closed-loop fashion. I don’t care about developing new technology to […]
Your Values
Your why: philanthropy, social impact, sustainability, community.
A Haute Meal: Why we need sustainable gastronomy with style
World Sustainable Gastronomy Day is June 18 Since 2017, international Sustainable Gastronomy Day has been celebrated on June 18 to focus the world’s attention on the delicious and impactful role of gastronomy in sustainable development. That’s because gastronomy mediates between food producers and food consumers, by having a positive influence on sustainable consumption while supporting […]
World Oceans Day: Coastal elites = endangered species
Some things we need to think about as the oceans rise Content warning: this post discusses natural disasters, including hurricanes and flooding. Some images may be disturbing. Please take care of yourself and click away if these subjects might hurt your heart. June 1st marks the “official” start of hurricane season in the North Atlantic. […]
Soulful making, slow shopping
I’m on a real serious undertaking of self-care, on a much deeper spiritual level than I have yet tried. So I’m looking and listening and see where my spirit leads me, to teachers, concepts, and practices that instinctually feel right but aren’t necessarily easy or convenient. To that end, I just came across the work […]
Fashion Revolution: A Manuma primer
The way you shop, and the way you care for your clothes can help you live more in alignment with your values. You buy organic produce and grass-fed meat. You’ve invested in improvements to your home to make it more energy efficient. You bring reusable bags to the grocery store. You own at least one […]
Dangerous Coats
Pockets are a mandatory detail here at Manuma. My fashion foremother, Claire McCardell, insisted on pockets in her dresses because of the instant sense of ease and confidence a woman gets being able to rest her hands there. To say nothing of being unburdened by a handbag. There has been much speculation as to why […]
- Our Story
- ...
Cloth is Culture: St. Brigid’s cloak
We’ve been using this tagline – cloth is culture – for a few years now. I’m going to start periodically featuring examples of what I mean by this: ways that cloth is integral to how humans “do” culture, particularly in a modern setting. – allie While we in the U.S. now mark Groundhog’s Day as a way […]
Tips: Shrink your dry cleaning bill (and your carbon footprint)
Do you avoid buying beautiful clothes because of the scary “Dry Clean Only” label? For the most part, this is a disclaimer from brands so they can prevent returns. They need to minimize returns because it cuts into their profits – that’s understandable. But too often this is an unnecessary burden on shoppers because it’s […]
E-book: Sustainable fashion for special occasions
The first e-book published by Manuma is a simple and straightforward guide to formal fashion. With original content from Manuma founder Allie McConnell, it’s a unique take on dressing in a notoriously challenging category. For many of us, an invitation to a formal event is a flurry of emotions – and almost immediately our thoughts […]
10 advantages of choosing sustainable fashion
Is your closet making you a hypocrite? How much do you really know about who made your clothes or what they’re made of? Could you answer questions about your wardrobe’s provenance with a smile and a clear conscience? If you’re shifting your fashion budget to more sustainable choices, you don’t have to worry. Choosing natural […]