Cleveland company launches sustainable fashion line

CLEVELAND — At just 21 years old, Aidan Meany is making a name for himself in the fashion world. And sustainability is the thread that unites everything.

“I was lucky to be exposed to sewing and design at a young age,” Meany said.

Aidan’s company, Found Surface, has only been around for a short time and is already being sold.

The clothing collection, just four styles in four colors, is meant to stand the test of time.

All products are made in the United States; sewn in Los Angeles with organic cotton from Texas and recycled plastic bottles from North Carolina, using bales of ocean plastic from the shores.

“Using some crazy process that’s done with steam and solar power, they recycle it into a usable yarn that feels like cotton,” Meany said.

But starting in January, Meany will start manufacturing right here in Cleveland, with a sewing team already in place.

“Our mission is to bring all of our partners right now that are national, even further into Cleveland and bring some really great opportunities here,” Meany said, “not just for labor and manufacturing, but also for the community. of art and design and reinforce that here. also.”

You may not know it, but in the 1920s, Cleveland used to rank right up there with New York when it came to garment manufacturing, and that’s what Meany hopes to bring back to the city.

And it all goes back to Grandma.

Meany’s grandmother, Linda, actually taught her to sew when she was 14, never thinking that she would go from a hobby on her kitchen island to a garment manufacturing company in downtown Cleveland in seven short years.

“I mean, all grandmas love spending time with their grandkids and for him to come over to my house in the summer and sew with me on my mom’s 1939 Singer sewing machine, it was like a dream come true for me.” Linda said.

Meany’s clothing commands a high price tag, ranging from $249 to $399. But he says it’s meant to be an investment and sustainable from start to finish.

“Doing things in the US is already hard,” Meany said. “The goal is not to be a luxury brand where you only pay for a name. You really are paying for the quality of what you get.”

And forget about the catwalks and haute couture models. As it turns out, Grandma is the best ad you can get, as she wore her jacket to the interview.

“I’m very proud to wear it, and I’m excited when people ask me, ‘Oh, I like your jacket, where did it come from?’ and I’m like, ‘Well, my grandson did it!’”

Source: news.google.com