MADE ON ISLAND
Fashion on Island Time
Blossom Schmitt's Florawear
By Bryn Mahoney
The beautiful silk dresses that hang on the racks at the Chilmark Flea Market, shimmering as they catch the sunlight, are the result of a web of skilled makers from around the world. This web is woven by year-round resident Blossom Schmitt.
Blossom, a native of Ithaca, New York, was running a flower farm before she came to spend a summer on the Vineyard (famous last words) in 2013. Inspired by the beauty of island, she foraged for materials which she could use as botanical dyes She began hand-dying silk in her basement and Florawear was born.
The line initially consisted exclusively of silk pieces; the silk being primarily sourced from Vietnam. With each season, Florawear has grown, and her collection of dresses now includes a variety of styles in an array of fabrics, all thoughtfully designed by Blossom and carefully hand sewn in India.
In contrast to her busy summers spent selling her dresses in-person, Blossom spends the off-season with her husband and daughter, designing her dresses and creating patterns which she has printed on fabrics from around the world. She has even begun designing a line of dresses for little girls, inspired by her own young daughter, Willa.
While other fashion brands have recently turned towards sustainability, Florawear has been rooted in these values since day one. Partnering with manufacturers that value ethical treatment of their workers and eco-friendly practices was a top priority for Blossom. Many of her dresses are made from recycled saris or fabric that would have otherwise been sent to a landfill.
With this philosophy at the heart of Florawear, Blossom has gone on to create an impressive collection of dresses that blend functionality, comfort, and beauty, Stunning yet casual, Florawear dresses seems to have the essence of the Vineyard sewn right into them. This must be the reason why shoppers keep coming back to Blossom, summer after summer.
You can find Florawear at the Chilmark Flea Market and also at Blossom's Dress Shed in West Tisbury. You can book appointments to visit the Dress Shed and shop her styles at Florawear.co.