Who is ‘And Comfort’

by on in Blog, Fashion

I wanted to introduce you to a beautiful new brand available for pre-order from Sama + Kiki tomorrow, 8pm (20th November 2018).

I’m really excited to offer this brand of plus size clothing to my customers, as I know there are a lot of you out there that feel very strongly about sustainable fashion.

And Comfort, is a gorgeous ethical & sustainable business providing timeless clothing that is focussed on quality & pieces you will cherish for years to come. I love what they stand for, and that they’re size inclusive (up to a 32).

Sarah x

ALL ABOUT ‘AND COMFORT’

What we believe

We believe in better plus size womens clothing. Nothing more, nothing less. Clothes you can wear to a meeting at work or a dinner party with friends. Clothes that adapt to you and last through the seasons as trend after trend passes.

For too long, the fashion industry told us that above a certain size, these are not the clothes you deserve. What we’re left with are cheap, tacky prints, ruffles, and synthetic polyester fabrics. We knew this needed to change – and that’s why we started And Comfort.

Not too little, not too much

Our capsule is purposefully curated to be the fundamental pieces that you actually need. A plus size womens top that’s got you covered for that morning client meeting. A plus size dress that’s perfect for any special occasion. Plus size womens pants that are perfect for Fridays at the office, or Fridays at home. Versatile, everyday essentials that flex seamlessly into your wardrobe. Because getting dressed in the morning should be a  delightful experience.

A commitment to quality and sustainability

We believe in doing things the right way, not the fast way. Every product we make goes through months of rigorous fit testing and sample making to ensure that we deliver on our promise of quality to you. We hand source premium + sustainable natural fabrics from the same mills that luxury couture designers use. We knew the last thing you need are more clothes that don’t work – our capsule collection represents our promise to make every piece slowly, thoughtfully, and purposefully.

An inside look at our product development

We spent a year and a half in product development creating the perfect capsule collection. Timeless pieces that flex into your wardrobe and work from desk to dinner. Here’s an inside look into our product design process.

Step 1: Fabrication

Great womens plus size clothing starts with great fabric, and we believe in premium fabrics that are both comfortable and functional.
PREMIUM AND NATURAL
All our fabrics are made from natural fibers instead of plastics like polyester. Natural fabrics are more breathable, durable, and comfortable.
ECO-FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE
Our fabrics are developed with sustainability in mind. Aside from removing toxic plastics from our fabrication process, we make eco-friendly choices like with our organic cottons and Tencel made from recycled Eucalyptus trees.

Step 2: A Perfect Fit

We know finding a well-fitting piece can be a frustrating experience, to say the least. That’s why this is the part of our process where we spend the most of our time.
The fit process most brands currently use was not one developed with different body shapes and sizes in mind. The process varies from brand to brand but in general, it involves either digitially grading clothing patterns or using just one fit model in the middle of the size set to test pieces on.
Naturally, this process often results in poor fits for different body shapes and sizes not accounted for by the single fit model. That’s why we re-engineered the whole process from the ground up.
FIT MODELS
Instead of just using one fit model, we fit test every design we release on at least 25 different women across the entire size set. This allows us to make small 1/4” and 1/8” adjustments for each size and body shape – which may not seem like much but makes all the difference when putting a piece on.
SAMPLING ROUNDS
Instead of the typical 1 round of sampling, we go through at least 3-5 rounds of sampling and iteration for each piece so that we can physically see how changes we make affect the fit, drape, and comfort of every garment. This gives us confidence that we’re delivering the best possible product, everytime.

Step 3: Small Batch, Ethical Production

Chinese manufacturing often gets a bad reputation and conjures up images of large, polluting industrial factories and underpaid workers. However, we knew we wanted to make our plus size fashion wear the right way, not the fast way, and partnered with a small, artisan factory in Ningbo that’s been helping designers make clothing responsibly, sustainably, and ethically for over 50 years.

FAMILY RUN ARTISAN PRODUCTION

Our BSCI-certified factory is family owned and operated and with state-of-the-art safety and working conditions. Every garment is also carefully produced and quality checked by real humans, not industrial machines.

ETHICAL LIVING WAGES

We belive in paying workers fairly – that’s why all our factory workers are paid fair living wages, work in excellent conditions, and receive healthcare insurance.

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