Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The Regatta Collection




If you've been following our story since 2007, you've noticed that from the beginning our patterns have been decidedly sea inspired....appropriate since my relocation to the Ocean State, as a result, however, interior designers have consistently inquired about taking our fabrics outdoors.  Regretfully I have always had to say no, since our ground cloths have been woven from natural fibers like hemp, organic cotton, and silk. They would simply not stand up to the rigors of New England weather. Well it's time to bring the inside outside via our new, printed, recycled polyester fabric, offering both coastal style and seasonal durability, they will be made available in our regatta-navy / tango-orange colorways as shown above. These fabrics are colorfast and will look bright for years withstanding Rhode Island's temperamental summers

With Newport only a stones throw away, the time is right for the new Regatta Collection to make it's debut in R.I's resort city. We will be posting again in the very near future with dates for our launch.
Thank you for visiting Oliveira Textiles today!
Cheers to Summer
Dawn



Bowens Warf


Friday, May 25, 2012

Green Textiles for Home and Apparel / RISD-CE




I'll be teaching an upcoming class at RISD through their Continuing-Ed dept. It's called Green Textiles for Home and Apparel. Thursdays June 14 - July 19 from 6:30 - 9:30. Students in this course engage in design with environmental concerns at the forefront. Spaces still available. I'd like to encourage each student to explore with me,  the digital printing process throughout the 6 weeks, along with a lot of discussion on what makes a textile sustainable. - The 'take-home' piece will be your design on a yard of printed organic cloth.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

A New Perspective: A Word From Our Interns




My name is Keri Topshe. I am a Junior and Marketing Major/Communications Minor at Roger Williams University here in Bristol, Rhode Island. Interning for Dawn at Oliveira Textiles has been a profound experience. It was my first experience working for not only a textile company, but an eco-conscious company as well. Coming from a school such as Roger Williams University, which was just rated in the Princeton Reviews for top "Green Colleges," I acknowledge that sustainability is a very important factor to consider in the world of business. As my research on sustainability and other related subjects increased, so did my interest. My favorite role in the experience was exploring Eco-friendly websites for facts and news that relate to the business of Oliveira Textiles. This research helped me understand the importance of corporate responsibility. Researching topics for my social media postings helped to introduce me to sustainable ideas outside of the norm. Not only was my web research a learning experience but also seeing how Oliveira Textiles’ business works down to the core was a great way to experience a small entrepreneurship. One day I hope to open my own business. Although I do not plan to be in the textile industry, assisting a small business venture really gave me a better grasp of the challenges faced by a start-up. It really amazes me how much Dawn Oliveira accomplishes in Oliveira Textiles' tiny studio, and how big of a difference Oliveira Textiles' mission could make for our planet.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

A New Perspective: A Word From Our Interns



North Campus Residence Hall:  The newest, sustainably designed housing built in 2009


My name is Elizabeth Crupi and I am a Junior studying Marketing and Dance at Roger Williams University. I was fortunate enough to spend a few hours a week this semester at Oliveira Textiles which is just down the street from campus. I can honestly say I have never been a part of such a sustainable business, one that spans from operation to output. From the research I did on “green living”, to what I learned from being at Dawn Oliveira’s shop, I have obtained a greater grasp on the concept of sustainability. Since sustainability is such a broad concept I was truly taken aback when learning the lengths that Oliveira Textiles goes through to produce and distribute an entirely “green” business and product. After understanding the effort required to allow for a sustainable business my job became that much more enjoyable. As a marketing intern I was responsible for all social media outlets, and it was nice to know that the business I was working to promote was working to help our planet! I was so happy to lend my knowledge of marketing to such an environmentally conscious business, and feel I learned just as much as possible in the brief two months I spent with Dawn Oliveira, which is important to me as a student.