Meet Kristin Brown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Brown.

Hi Kristin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I spent over a decade working in the natural products industry in Hawaii with a focus on the healing power of medicinal plants, organic foods and environmental sustainability. It was a career path that embedded in me a conscious consumer ethos. My time spent in the Hawaiian Islands amidst awe-inspiring natural beauty taught the deeper meaning of Aina (land) and the utmost importance of our connection to it. It’s why I created a business that’s mindful of the planet and its inhabitants.

And as a mother, my desire to make a positive impact has increased—as I teach my daughter the virtue of service and environmental stewardship. All of these influences have led me to fully immerse in the creation of Imbued… an ethically produced clothing line made from plant-dyed, hand-woven, natural fibers.

The magnetic pull toward creative pursuits also led me to acquire the skills of a natural artist. Not only is designing apparel now my role, but I also facilitate dye circles as a way to commune + share intentions, aspirations, and support.

With the help of Factory45 (www.factory45.co), I was able to take Imbued from idea to launch in 2019 through a crowdfunding campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/eco-conscious-robes-for-free-spirited-beauties#/). Not too long after that, I quit my 12 years corporate job in the wellness industry to pursue this vision and moved from Kaua’i, Hawaii to Joshua Tree, California.

After two years and the pandemic re-routing my plans, I’m now based out of Oaxaca, Mexico for the next four months. A place that I consider a mecca still alive and thriving with slow, artisanal fashion. It is here that I’ve found more inspiration than I can explain and more possibilities to sustain and grow my small fashion brand in a conscious way. All contributing to Imbued’s main mission which is to inspire conscious consumerism and free-spirited creativity.

Because the truth is we’re all a part of the problem of consumerism and being creative is the best gift to finding solutions.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road. I’m not sure if entrepreneurship is ever a smooth road for anyone. I think that’s why many don’t pursue it. But the gold, the reward from it all, is that it pushes you to meet new edges within yourself. Being an entrepreneur reminds me of athletes that push themselves so hard they get sick during the race or sailors that get sailors’ amnesia and keep getting back in the boat to explore the ocean. It’s about seeing what you can accomplish and explore while alive. So as for the difficulties, there have been many. Some that stick out the most were living on the tiny island of Kauai and having very slim pickings to access skilled clothing sample and pattern makers, not being able to research fabric and sew factory partners easily because Los Angles was a 5 hour flight away, moving to California with my 10-year-old daughter as a 100% single mother to pursue my dream, COVID throwing a wrench in the mix, moving to Oaxaca and not being fluent in Spanish to clearly communicate with my seamstress and not having any initial educational background in the fashion industry when I set out on this journey. Here’s a short blog story I wrote a while back that explains how along the way when a struggle came up, if I just kept at it a solution would show itself… https://www.imbued.co/blog-1/2018/9/11/you-never-know-until-you-ask.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I design ethical, natural, plant-dyed clothing, I’m a natural dye artist, and I also facilitate natural dye workshops.

As a slow fashion maker, my brand Imbued offers small collections of botanically hand-dyed clothing, free from synthetic chemicals, made from natural fine and organic textiles and one-of-a-kind addition to anyone’s wardrobe. Much of Imbued’s clothing is unique because each is an individual piece of art. The current collection which should be launching early spring has so much attention to detail that you don’t find much in clothing anymore.

The clothing is made by a seamstress that works from her home, not in an industrial factory and she is paid a highly respectable wage.

The fibers used come from natural handwoven cotton and organically grown cotton sourced from India and Mexico from small farm collectives. These partnerships help maintain village life and prevent families from being split apart to find work in cities. And all of Imbued’s dyes are derived from sustainably harvested botanicals that help to preserve artisanal traditions.

All the fibers are dyed with sustainably sourced plant materials.

For the croptops, I carved the wooden stamps with the help of a friend who teaches the technique, these stamps created the prints that are on the shirts and I additionally embroidered the shirts and painted them with natural pigments. They are truly a work of art.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t give up. Take the leap of faith. Whatever your heart is being called to show up for. Show up. Life is scary. Don’t let it stop you from living…

Contact Info:

• Email: kristin@imbued.co
• Website: www.imbued.co
• Instagram: imbued.co
• Facebook: imbued.collection

Image Credits:
Some of the photos were shot with Brelinda Wadley from Joshua Tree, some were with FotoPop from Kauai.