Courtesy of Fauxgerty
From left to right: founder Chrissy Fogerty, brand manager Julia Kiefer, and art director Meg Ebaugh Faris
In the city's central corridor, Fauxgerty's factory is alive with the sound of whirring sewing machines. But it hasn't always been this way.
The fashion line, whose garments are made with sustainable and recycled fabrics and faux leather, recently forged a partnership with small-batch manufacturing company Boost Apparel. This has allowed the 5-year-old Fauxgerty to move production to St. Louis.
"For years we've had issues with production and how far away it's been and errors happening because we can't be there every day," Fauxgerty founder Chrissy Fogerty says, adding: "We're such a small textile industry that we were really invested in making sure that [our production] is in St. Louis. With the relationship we've cultivated with Boost, we're able to see, long term, producing our pieces here."
Courtesy of Fauxgerty
The factory is a short 2.5 miles from Fauxgerty's Central West End showroom and office and has around six sewers at a time.
The production move also helps to support the company's "direct-to-consumer" distribution method, meaning it patterns and executes certain pieces according to sales trends. That method continues with Fauxgerty's new spring arrivals.
Its most popular piece from that collection, so far, is its inaugural jumpsuit, The Amber, which is expected to sell out by the end of the week. (Fear not, though, a new release is planned for April 2.)
Courtesy of Fauxgerty
The Amber
Fogerty says a jumpsuit was at the top of her and her team's list for the spring collection.
"They're so comfortable," she says. "We found a fabric that has a little bit of a stretch in it, so you can still sit [when you're wearing it]. For us, we're always sitting on the floor designing and conceptualizing things. It's something that can adapt with our lifestyle and also be dressed up for an occasion."
Transition is key, in general, with Fauxgerty pieces. Fogerty says they always look to design pieces that can be worn from day to night and season to season.
"We love dresses," she adds. "We wear them to work, weddings, baby showers. And with outwear, our rule of thumb is that it's an investment piece and something we want people to wear for a long time."
Courtesy of Fauxgerty
The Ida
Enter the new Fauxgerty trench coat, The Ida, made with faux-suede and lined with vintage fabric.
"That might be my favorite thing that we have," Fogerty says.
Though production is now based here, the fashion line hopes to expand interest in the brand outside of St. Louis. It recently launched a pop-up program, traveling to such cities as Nashville and Los Angeles for sales-focused events for a day or weekend. Fogerty says she hopes that program will help gauge interest for future expansion.
But, for now, Fauxgerty's operation continues to whir here in the Gateway City.
"It's really important to us to develop our brand here," Fogerty says, "and to stay committed to St. Louis."
