Glenn + Glenn Designs Tailored, Modern Classics for the Urban Sophisticate
/We are excited to announce that local sister team Glenn + Glenn will be joining us for the first time at our Firefly Handmade Summer Market on August 28-29! Their sophisticated, modern garments are tastefully curated with beautiful fabrics, sure to make you feel elegant and confident. Committed to supporting small businesses, they use a handful of women-owned and operated sewing collectives to produce their high-quality designs.
What inspires your sophisticated designs?
The Glenn + Glenn style is influenced by art, architecture, nature, and of course the history of fashion. We are curious creatures, seeking out innovative textiles and colors, finding inspiration in everything from a well-crafted dish of food to a beautiful arrangement of flowers. Traveling always brings us home with new concepts!
Who is the Glenn + Glenn customer?
The Glenn + Glenn customer is a sophisticated, modern woman who appreciates quality over quantity. She is conscious of where she spends her money and chooses wisely. Progressive in her thoughts, and comfortable in her own style. In reality, our customers range from busy moms to entrepreneurs, lawmakers to non-profit leaders, fashion-forward go-getters, as well as the tailored woman in perfect neutrals.
What is the biggest challenge about running your own business? The biggest reward?
The biggest challenges include, but are not limited to (haha!): Setting boundaries for work/life balance, managing emotions, and setting realistic expectations.
Biggest reward: When our ideas come to life perfectly and when customers send us photos in our garments!
How does working in Colorado influence your designs?
Being active women based in Boulder certainly highlights our desire for functionality in our styles. The ever-changing Colorado weather keeps us in check, so you’ll find a good deal of layering pieces in our collections. But mostly we are driven by our principle of creating valuable garments that can be worn day to night, season to season, and remain timeless for years to come.
Has the pandemic influenced any of your new collections?
Absolutely. Like the rest of the world, we relished the first weeks of wearing sweats! The pandemic taught us a lesson in comfort, for sure. In our new styles, you’ll find forgiving fits, soft fabrics, loose-fitting tops, and wide-leg linen pants. Layering pieces have always been our jam, so that will continue as well.
How does sustainability factor into your work?
Sustainable is where we begin — when we wrote our business plan, when we designed our first capsule collection, and when we chose our first production partners. It is not a perfect practice, but every decision we make relates to sustainability. Here are some specifics:
- We choose textiles that are natural fibers or recycled fibers
- We create small-batch capsule collections to avoid over-production
- We utilize all of our fabric by creating accessories with our garment scrap pieces
- We scrutinize our ordering to minimize shipments
- We produce primarily in NYC which also reduces the shipping impact
- We use recycled papers and packaging materials.
How do you choose which materials to use?
Sustainable or natural fibers are always our preference when we are sourcing fabrics. We are fond of mills in Japan, Italy, and France and spend a fair amount of time in their showrooms researching how the fabrics feel, the way they drape, whether they will work with our particular design - or whether we need to make a design just to accommodate the fabric! We also consider available stock colors, timing, minimum order quantities, and availability.
What are you looking forward to most as a new Firefly Handmade artisan?
We’ve visited your markets as customers so we are thrilled to be included in such a wonderful experience with other local artisans and makers. Now more than ever, it feels so good to be active in our community!
Visit and shop with Glenn + Glenn at Firefly Handmade Summer Market, August 28 & 29, on Historic South Gaylord Street, Washington Park, Denver.
