PHOTO / COURTESY of ROUGH & TUMBLE
Rough & Tumble was featured on a Times Square billboard in 2020.
August 26, 2024
A handful of fashion brands call Maine home: Maine is making a name for itself in the fashion world
PHOTO / COURTESY of MALONE COMMERCIAL BROKERS
Alice Yardley, founder of the handbag company Alice Yardley Maine, opened a store at 99 Exchange St. in the Old Port.
By Alexis Wells
I will be the first to admit that, compared to New York, Los Angeles and Boston, Maine isn’t exactly known for its high fashion. But that doesn’t mean that Maine hasn’t quietly held its own when designing and manufacturing some fashion items that have made people stylish worldwide.
From being featured on Times Square to working with the 2024 Paris Olympics and Ralph Lauren, here are seven Maine fashion, accessory and manufacturing companies that have made a name for themselves.
Handbag maker Alice Yardley
Alice Yardley, the creative force behind the handbag maker Alice Yardley Maine, a handcrafted leather brand based in Maine, opened her storefront in Portland at 99 Exchange St. in March.
Yardley’s journey from high school teacher to successful designer began in 2019 when she decided to turn her hobby into a business. Her passion for leatherworking and commitment to sustainability drove the decision. She utilized her relationships with local upholstery and leather shops to repurpose leather pieces into unique bags. Each handbag has a one-of-a-kind design and is handmade by Yardley.
In 2020, during the pandemic’s midst, she participated in New York Fashion Week’s “Ones to Watch” showcase.
Leather goods designer Rough & Tumble
Rough & Tumble, a Brunswick-based leather goods store that was featured on a Times Square billboard in 2020 and gained the attention of actor Allison Janney, officially moved into 2,126 square feet of storefront space at 178 Middle St. in Portland’s Old Port neighborhood.
The store will also offer handbag designs that Rough & Tumble is most known for, including model designs known as the 1903, 1904 pack, Boho, Original City Safari and the Hobo Pack.
Rough & Tumble is owned by Natasha Durham. She started Rough & Tumble in 2008 in her home after creating a handbag for herself, according to the company’s website.
Rough & Tumble sells its bags through Garnet Hill and the Sundance catalog. Its leathers are sourced primarily from France and Italy. The company has a design studio in Brunswick.
Clothing and accessory designer the Loquat Shop
In May, the Loquat Shop moved from 58 Exchange St. to the first floor of Mechanics’ Hall at 519 Congress St., in Portland’s Arts District.
Loquat was founded by Jordan Carey on the principles of community empowerment, according to its website. It evolved from a bedroom venture with a mission to empower marginalized individuals through fashion and design in clothes and accessories.
Carey is a Bermudian designer and artist based in Portland. He received a bachelor of fine arts degree in textile and fashion design from Maine College of Art in 2019. After graduating, he was an assistant designer for Maine-based fashion house Jill McGowan as well as through residencies and freelance work. Carey launched the Loquat brand to share fluid cultural aesthetics and craft sensibilities.
Carey is joined in the venture by Madison Poitrast-Upton, a fashion and textiles artist in Portland who earned a bachelor of fine arts in fashion and textile design in 2020 from the Maine College of Art.
While there, Poitrast-Upton focused on the comfort and style of female performers, inspired by a love of music, performance and fashion. She is dedicated to advancing women and people of color through clothing and design.
Tote bag maker Sea Bags
Tote bag maker Sea Bags, incorporated in 2006 but with roots going back to 1999, today employs close to 300 people. Its retail footprint includes company-owned stores in 16 states, a flagship location on Commercial Street in Portland and its headquarters, sail redemption center, design office and factory-owned store nearby at 25 Custom House Wharf. Don Oakes, the CEO of Sea Bags, joined the company in November 2013. In 2022, he was named a Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year.
In January, Sea Bags landed a multiyear licensing agreement with the National Football League to put team logos on a new line of signature bags made from recycled sailcloth. The brand featured four products showcasing 11 team logos. The agreement covers the rights to all 32 NFL teams, plus the Super Bowl.
The products showcase the logos of the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns.
PHOTOs / GETTY IMAGES
During the 2023 New York Fashion Week, handbags and jewelry designed by Becky McKinnell, the founder of Wildwood Oyster Co., were featured in four runway shows.
Accessory designer Wildwood Oyster Co.
Becky McKinnell, founder and owner of Portland digital marketing development and web agency iBec Creative, founded a handbag and accessory brand Wildwood Oyster Co. in 2018. She was honored on the Mainebiz 40 Under 40 List in 2022. She began her own company and combined her love for coastal life.
McKinnell’s designs combine rich leather, colorful dock-line rope handles, industrial brass and hand-cut leather “seaweed” tassels.
Her collection also includes jewelry and accessories ranging from wristlets, rope and leather keychains to seaweed fringe keychains.
Each piece is made in Maine and sewn to precision. The bags are sold online and at retailers across New England.
In September 2023, McKinnell showcased her collection at four runway shows during New York Fashion Week. The event, which also featured 80 other designers from around the world, was hosted by Flying Solo, a New York-based fashion collective for independent accessory, beauty, cosmetics, and home brands.
Rancourt and Rogue Industries work with Ralph Lauren
During the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, Ralph Lauren jeans and moto jackets were worn during the opening and closing ceremonies. Still, the company got a little help from two Maine manufacturers.
Rancourt, a family-owned business in Lewiston, assembled and manufactured the buck shoe that was used in the opening and closing ceremonies. The shoe is a white lace-up shoe made from suede or leather. It’s the fourth time Rancourt has partnered with Ralph Lauren to manufacture shoes for the Team USA uniforms.
Ralph Lauren also joined forces with Rogue Industries, a family-owned Standish business known for its leather goods. This was the first time the company had been asked to work with Ralph Lauren for the games. Rogue and Ralph Lauren collaborated on a military-style belt that is made from webbing and has a buckle design.
The outfits for the opening ceremony featured jeans paired with a navy-blue wool double-breasted blazer trimmed in white and red. The Ralph Lauren logo is featured in the left chest area. Underneath, athletes sported a navy-and-white-striped oxford shirt, the brand said.
The closing ceremony look included a white moto-style jacket with red, white and blue detailing and white jeans.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments