Pants, which is fueling the apparel sales, were introduced in late 2019. “It could eventually get to a point where 90% of the scrap fabric is donated, but nothing will be thrown away. “We thought that (tote) would take care of the scraps, but the volume of the pants keeps going up,” Clasby said.Ĭurrently about 75% of the scrap fabric is donated and the rest is reused for other Lotus & Luna products. Some of those scraps are also donated to a non-profit in Thailand that uses the fabric to teach refugees and orphans from northern Thailand how to sew, and it’s also being used to make clothing for children in orphanages.Ī tote bag the company introduced at the start of the year was also produced in a bid to use up the excess fabric. The growth of clothing has led to more scrap fabric, which is how scrunchies and headbands became part of the mix (they’re made from the company’s pants and tops scraps). Since that time, the brand has walked an interesting path to get to its current expanded assortment. The business initially began selling jewelry and kimonos, all made by hand. Pants have been a growing category for the brand. Is it karma? I don’t know, but it’s definitely unique.” This year we’ve really focused on that and seen very strong success. It sounds crazy, but every single time I go back to that principle, the company is the most successful. “The more that I focus on the humanitarian element, the better we do. “It’s not that it wasn’t started as a business, but there was a strong humanitarian element that almost overshadowed the business element,” Clasby said. A donation drive to benefit Thailand in which Clasby partnered with a local San Diego fraternity and sorority to collect medical products, such as rubbing alcohol and first aid kits, connected her with an interpreter who introduced her to a village where she met the initial group of artisans for Lotus & Luna. She ultimately decided she wanted to help bring some of that Thai style stateside. The impetus was the CEO’s love for traveling to Thailand, where she became enamored with not only the handcrafted products but also the people. Brand StoryĬlasby launched Lotus & Luna in 2016 as a wholesale-focused business. However, Lotus & Luna’s point of distinction is its Thailand connection, with unique prints and local employees who make the company’s products. There’s certainly no shortage of competitors selling healing stone bracelets, dainty gold and silver jewelry, or breezy pants. For example, in the surf industry, we are bringing a little bit of a Thailand flair to basic, comfortable items.” So, as we grow and we’re able to reach more accounts and they see our product, we’re able to fill a gap that they had. “There’s not a clear competitor for certain types of products we have. “I think we have a unique spot in the market right now,” said founder and CEO Janelle Clasby. Within the core, that includes Hobie, Salt Life, Quiet Storm, Heritage Surf & Sport, and O’Neill among many other wholesale partners. Pants and single bracelets are seeing rapid growth, with the business expected to end the year up anywhere from 30% to 40% across the roughly 2,000 accounts, or under 5,000 doors, the brand is now sold in. It’s come a long way from being a start-up, with a matured vertical manufacturing operation that’s made it nimble against competitors and agile enough to seize on changing marketplace trends. The company has built a following around its story of sustainability and working with artisans in Thailand to handmake its popular beaded jewelry and clothing that’s resonated across many core surf shops. Lotus & Luna, a San Diego artisan beachwear and jewelry brand, hasn’t encountered a scrap of fabric it couldn’t breathe new life into. By Kari Hamanaka | Published Jul 11, 2023
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