We’re Into Taking Things Slow…
What can we say, we’re hopeless romantics. Our latest love affair? Slow made organic cotton garments by BUCI.
Slow Mornings With Dani, Captured on 35mm
There is something magical about slow mornings… It could be the way the leaves create a one of a kind shadow on your walls, or how they dance effortlessly with the morning breeze or even the way the warmth of the sun. Oh, and we can’t forget about the cup of slow roast calling you into a new day. Ahhh, we live for slow mornings like this..
Speaking of slow, nothing matches this ethereal feeling quite like BUCI. BUCI is a New-York based clothing brand known for putting the magic in doing things slow. Specializing in creating sustainable, luxe, and minimal garments with organic cotton, BUCI is bringing a very refreshing warmth to the sustainable fashion industry— each iconic piece transcending time through an effortless combination of comfort and minimalism.
Mishka Ivanovic, founder and owner of BUCI is a student at Parsons who has mastered the art of eloquent design and function. Our team was lucky enough to get the inside scoop on her process and inspiration behind her empowering brand.
Can you tell us more about what inspired BUCI?
A two hour drive outside of Belgrades Border will take you onto a dirt Road marked by a Cyrillic Sign that reads Buci. This is where my Grandmother was born and grew up, and where my Father and Uncle and later my sister’s and I spent our summers - in between the Raspberry bushes. The women of Buci all traditionally wear scarves over their heads, and tend to the overflowing abundance of Cherry, Apple and Pear trees, Tomatoes, cucumbers and the Vineyards. I strongly believe that the energy attached to the garment you put on your skin is married to the experience you have wearing it. It is too easy these days to be blind to the manpower it takes to create something. I want women to feel the strength and love that every single person who worked on these garments energy contributed to. The flowers and the produce and the vineyards are not what make Buci the most beautiful place in the world, but the work and the strength of the people. I hope with this intention I can bottle that energy thus empowering those who wear our clothes.
We’re head over heels for BUCI’s most recent collection! Can give us an inside scoop on what inspired it to come to be?
Right now we are working on releasing a Silk and Muslin Capsule that we are so excited about! A few years ago I was designing my sisters Graduation outfit and was inspired by my Grandmother's wedding skirt-suit that she sewed herself! I realized that I wanted to make a version of it a central piece in a capsule for Buci when I kept plotting to steal it from my sister to wear pieces on nights out. To me it represents the strength, resilience and power of my grandmother and all women, I feel empowered when I wear it. I also added a few extra pieces that I was excited to wear with it! The Silk is half Dead-stock Ralph Lauren and Half Dead-stock Calvin Klein and it will be our second limited edition capsule with color! We are so excited!
How does BUCI make it a priority to keep it’s pieces sustainable, with a minimal carbon footprint?
Sustainability is at the forefront of every decision we make for Buci. Every detail of our Production Cycle has been precisely designed to have the lightest footprint possible. We use only home compostable packaging, we use only Dead Stock or Organic cotton Fabric and we don’t Dye our fabric with Harsh chemicals that pollute our water. We do everything in our power to understand what is damaging and avoid it at all costs. For example recently we have been doing research on Conventionally grown cotton to deepen our understanding of the importance of using organic cotton as we have been researching what Muslin to use for our upcoming capsule. The Cost of identical Muslin made from conventional cotton is $2.50 as opposed to organic which is $14.50 and difficult to find in bulk. Most people consider 100% cotton that hasn’t been dyed as opposed to a synthetic fiber like Polyester already sustainable - so how do we justify a price difference like that in bulk with a very limited budget. We remind ourselves that conventional cotton is heavily Sprayed with proven Group 1 Carcinogens, and we are not sure they are completely washed out before we wear them on our skin, we also know that when it rains all of those carcinogens flow into our water.
This makes the decision very easy and uncomplicated. We keep doing research and keep learning but always keep sustainability at the forefront because it has to be!
We also prioritize minimalism over extravagance and try to use the least amount of packaging possible. For essentials we use Home Compostable Garment Bags, Mailers, and stickers. We are always researching and learning to find the best way possible to move our garments.
Can you tell us what the most challenging aspect is when it comes to having a sustainable business?
Systems are not built to make it easy and affordable, it is often a compromise on your vision and your budget. There aren’t enough options for mailers, garment bags, trims or even fabric to make it convenient and easy.
Ok, we’re dying to know… What’s on your moodboard for your next collection?!
We have lots of un-dyed swatches all over the office, we are mulling over what our winter fabric will look and feel like and are working on balancing that while keeping it as sustainable as possible. We are looking at clothes to keep you warm and cozy, that are comfortable but also make you feel ready to go into the world (be it out the door or on zoom)!
