For this First Friday Interview, we chose to highlight two #BossBabe sisters, co-founders of Orgotton, Kristy and Stef. With an eye for sustainability and background in beauty and wellness, Kristy and Stef were determined to create clothing both stylish and good for the environment. Starting in their parent’s basement, Orgotton has been able to grow from casual garments to an entire 12 piece multi-function collection!
With ethical practices, organic fabrics, and local production at the heart of Orgotton’s mission, Kristy and Stef have been able to support many local businesses in the manufacturing process! Now, it’s time to give back that support and shop local at Orgotton! Keep reading to find out what makes Orgotton so special and how Kristy and Stef have managed to keep Orgotton afloat during these trying times.
PPRG: Tell us about yourselves! We would love to hear your story as sisters and how it got to where you are now. Have you always envisioned working by each others’ sides?
Kristy & Stef: We are sisters that grew up in Bucks County and now live in South Philly and Fishtown.
Kristy started her career as a Publicist for authors and experts. Her passion for all things beauty led her back to school where she studied Esthetics and became a licensed Esthetician. Pairing her love for Marketing & PR with her passion for Esthetics she has worked as a Brand Manager for various beauty brands.
Stef started her career working on sustainable farms after studying Urban and Environmental Studies in college. A strong interest towards all things sustainable quickly led to a lifestyle that focused on the “shop small, buy local” initiatives that were slowly becoming mainstream in the early 2000’s.
As sisters, we always dreamed of teaming up and starting our own business! It was our combined interest in eco-friendly products, fashion, and beauty that led us to create Orgotton, a brand that could fill a need where we saw a void between sustainable clothing that was also fashion forward.
PPRG: How did Orgotton come to be? What does the name Orgotton stand for?
Kristy & Stef: We always knew we wanted to start a business together and that it would have a focus on sustainability. We started in 2009 screen printing tee-shirts out of our parents basement and, not too long after, started designing our own clothing. We came up with the name because we went to say Organic and Cotton and it came out Orgotton. Voila, Orgotton was born!
PPRG: We understand Orgotton is focused on ethical practices, organic fabrics, and local production. How did you determine who to work with in order to successfully meet Orgotton’s mission?
Kristy & Stef: To be completely transparent, this took a while to find the right people. For us, it was non-negotiable to create something as close to a circular fashion line as possible. When we first started, fabric houses were not focusing on sustainable fabrics so we had to do a lot of research to find companies that matched our values.
We are so lucky to have such a talented pool of people specializing in fashion in the Philadelphia area. Once known as the “Workshop of the World”, there has been a resurgence of clothing manufacturing in Philadelphia over the past 10 years. We feel so lucky that we have been able to be a part of it!
PPRG: Can you describe to us the range of products that Orgotton has available for purchase?
Kristy & Stef: Orgotton consists of 12 pieces ranging from dresses and jumpsuits to tunics and cardigans. With a focus on multi-function, we created our Infinity Collection that consists of a short and long dress, bodysuit and romper to give people the option to buy one piece of clothing and be able to wear it multiple ways. You can find our products on our website, and also at Toile in Fishtown and on their site as well!
PPRG: The Infinity Collection is something so special and unique to Orgotton! What inspired you to create such a fascinating collection? Do you have a favorite piece?
Kristy & Stef: We are both obsessed with the bodysuit right now! Whether you are staying home or are out and about (socially distancing, of course!) it is the perfect piece to dress up or down.
We created the Infinity Collection so people could purchase one piece of clothing that could be worn multiple ways. With two long straps the Infinity pieces can be wrapped over 10 different ways to create a new look every time you wear it. We like to say that the only limit is your imagination!
PPRG: With Orgotton being such a great inspiration to myself as well as many others, we are wondering, who are your greatest inspirations in the industry?
Kristy & Stef: First off, thank you so much for saying that! Our mission is to follow ethical practices and focus on sustainable fabrics and to support local manufacturing. To be able to do that and inspire others makes it all worthwhile.
We find inspiration in people who use their voice and their craft to improve their communities and the lives of others. We are inspired by women-owned businesses who strive to create high quality products that are contributing to the local or small business economy.
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PPRG: COVID-19 has impacted all businesses around the globe. How has the pandemic affected Orgotton? What are you doing to keep Orgotton afloat during these trying times?
Kristy & Stef: This has been a challenging yet innovating time for the world as a whole. Forever the optimists, we feel like something good will come out of these uncertain times. One of those positives is that there is so much more focus on sustainability in the fashion industry. Something we have been working towards for so long is being brought to the mainstream because we are realizing not only how essential it is to have a circular fashion cycle but also that we need to treat garment workers with the respect they deserve.
Orgotton has a sister-brand called Klean Skin that creates charged-up beauty products that live at the intersect of wellness and healing. All of the Klean Skin products contain Reiki-charged crystals to increase the energetic vibration of the ingredients.
Kristy is a licensed Aesthetician and a Reiki Master Practitioner so it has been a dream of hers to create clean, effective products – with a focus on making people feel like the best version of themselves through self-care.
Our cut and sew facility was closed during the stay-at-home order so we focused on who we could help with our Klean Skin products. Knowing a lot of Estheticians that were out of work we created an Affiliate Program so they could share our products with their friends, family, and followers and receive a percentage from items sold.
This time period has been something no one expected or could have planned for so as business owners you have to know how to pivot and be innovative in your offerings.
PPRG: What can people do to help support Orgotton during this pandemic?
Kristy & Stef: People can support us by shopping locally on our website and by following us @orgotton on all social accounts.
PPRG: What are your favorite aspects about the City of Philadelphia? Any favorite spots or local businesses?
Kristy & Stef: We love the diversity, the expansive art and fashion scene, and the communities that we have found in Philly. Some of our favorite spots and local businesses are: Toile, Friend and Nemesis, Front Street Cafe, Downerss Boutique, Ritual Shoppe, Cedar Point Bar + Kitchen, The International Bar, South Philly Community Acupuncture, Crown and Feather Tattoo, The Peacock Room at Philadelphia Brewing Co., Loco Pez, Birds of Prey Artistry and Wellness.
Wearing Orgotton will definitely make you feel and look flawless. And on top of it, you’ll even get a super cute hangtag made from seeded paper which you can plant and grow wildflowers! Show Orgotton some love by shopping on their website and by following them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! We can’t wait to see you wearing Orgotton!
What Orgotton piece is your fav? Check out their website and let us know in the comments below!
