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

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.

RISD: ART AND DESIGN

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.

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.

Earth Day April 22, 2012

credit: Sergej Khakimullin/ Shutterstock

April 22, 2012 signifies the 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day! This year's theme is "Mobilize the Earth." Earth Day originated in 1970 in efforts to make the public conscious of air and water pollution. This first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. In 1990 Earth Day went global bringing environmental issues onto the world stage and mobilizing 200 million people. Now, this weekend on April 22, 2012 the "Mobilize the Earth" campaign is simply saying the earth can't wait and now is the time to act. This is the world's largest-ever environmental movement and every small act counts. So what can you do to contribute to a sustainable future? To start, you can simply turn off your computers and television sets and organize a hike or bike outing. Get outside and appreciate the beautiful earth that may not be here forever if we do not take action. To make an even bigger difference, you can organize a park clean up or tree planting. Here at Oliveira Textiles we choose all organic and sustainable materials to create our designs. Every small act counts. Take action now so we can enjoy this beautiful earth for years to come.

For more information on Earth Day 2012

T4T: Sustainable Answer to Textile Recycling

The recycling of fabrics and scraps is one of the many ways we can promote sustainability in the apparel and textile industry.

 For Image and More Please Visit: http://www.sustainable-fashion.com/

In the past however, time, cost and technology have not been on our side. With the growing importance of sustainability not only in our industry, but in the world, companies are working to remedy this issue. T4T (Textiles for Textiles) is an EU-funded and partnered project with the KICI Foundation; a Dutch non-commercial organization that collects post-consumer textiles. This collaboration was established to create the T4T textiles sorting project working to improve and more efficiently recycle post-consumer textiles. Here in the US a Sustainable Apparel Coalition has been launched "aiming to put a spotlight on promising technological innovations, and develop effective uses for textile waste." Sustainability is a global issue though and it is reassuring to know other countries are being proactive in this effort as well. 

Many sorting companies today only bother with “good quality fabrics.” The issue with this is that textile waste is growing larger. So what is T4T going to do differently? The machinery being developed has the ability to sort materials based on various components including: fiber composition, color, and chemical composition, all in a matter of seconds. The device segments the materials into piles based on the stated factors, encouraging what would normally be considered waste, to be used as raw material.           

While this T4T machinery certainly has the capability to promote sustainability and the recycling of fabrics, it is important to note that other proactive approaches do exist. “It is much harder to develop equipment to recycle textiles, rather than make them more eco-friendly to begin with.”  

This concept is one that we at Oliveira Textiles uphold. Hemp, our favorite fiber is not only very resistant to degradation from mold, bacteria, salt water, sunlight, abrasion, and chemicals, but also fully biodegradable.  We work to promote and produce sustainable, organic fabrics that are free of harsh chemicals like phthalates and formaldehyde, to not only make recycling in this industry safer and more sustainable, but to make our everyday lives sustainable as well!

To read more about the innovation of the T4T and the recycling process in the apparel world visit: Just-Style.com

For more information about hemp: http://www.thehia.org/ 

Earth Hour

This Saturday - March 31 at 8:30 pm WWF's 2012 Earth Hour will begin. Last year in 2011, hundreds of millions of people from 135 countries worldwide turned off their lights in efforts to support the world's largest campaign for the planet: EARTH HOUR. What can you do while your lights and electricity are off? Here's 9 fun things to do during EARTH HOUR.

For more information about Earth Hour 2012

We here at Oliveira Textiles will be turning our lights out as well in support of our planet on March 31 at 8:30pm. Our shop will be dark in support of a brighter future.

It's Springtime in Bristol

Custom Tunics, Hats, & Shifts - all from our organic fabrics.

Visit our website for a selection of patterns and colorways. Click on 'Products', then 'Fabrics', then choose a color thumbnail for more details. Call or e-mail for pricing.  Also, We'll be decorating our store-front with lots of daffodils for the local "Daffodil Days" event coming in early April. Stay tuned for some fun photos.

Thank you!!

Dawn

info@oliveiratextiles.com

401-396-9194

Inspiration

Come in and chat about custom color for any of our patterns. If you have a favorite wall color or brand new area rug and you would really love to pull those colors out for your draperies or upholstery, we can help. Stop in any day between 9:30am and 5:00pm Monday through Saturday. We're here to inspire!


Oliveira Textiles   219 High Street   Bristol  Rhode Island   02809  401-396-9194

More Sun / More Color….

Did we mention that we love color here at Oliveira Textiles? As this weather of ours has been so lovely lately, and the sun is shining through my shop windows for a longer stretch each day, I am wanting everyone to welcome more color into their lives so here is an excerpt from the High Point Market's Color Trends for 2012 Interiors.
Soak it in! http://www.highpointmarket.org/

"Into the blue
Intense blues are strong this year. While blue always has been a favorite among consumers, the look as been updated to a richer, more true blue. For example, the PantoneHome + Interiors 2012 Indigo Effects is inspired by the celestial blues and deep blue indigos of the twilight sky. Sherwin William’s 2012 Colormix features “a pair of functional and treasured blues: denim and water. It explores the darkest indigo to faded-jeans hues, some with violet undertones, as well as the calm, shimmery shades that reflect rivers, lakes and seas.” Finally, Benjamin Moore’s Fluid Blues palette covers a range, from gray-blues to aquas to deep-sea navy.

Emerald waves
Sherwin Williams’ Colormix casts aside the yellow-tinged greens of the past, instead focusing on “greens that are lush, moody and complex. It showcases the depths of the sea and forest; leafy motifs; rustic natural textures; and organic elements such as algae, moss and seaweed.” Benjamin Moore’s Elemental Greens palette also evokes nature, “from spring’s yellow-greens to the blued grays of woodland shadows.”

Purple reigns
Purple still is one of this year’s hottest hues. What makes this color so popular is its versatility. Pantone’s Back to the Fuschia palette calls attention to the bright, bold purples, while Benjamin Moore’s Violet Twilight palette features hues from the “deepest amethyst to a dream-like pale violet,” and purple’s “beautiful blue-tinted variations.” 

Fiery orange
Another versatile hue is orange. Go tropical with citrus, warm with terra cotta or cozy with pumpkin hues. The reddish orange Tangerine Tango, Pantone’s color of the year, is “sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, with a lot of depth to it,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy."