Do people drive you crazy? Or do they inspire you? Joanne King? November 9, 2009

People – now this is def. where I get a lot of inspiration – the way people lead their lives, the way they care for one another, and often times, what they wear.  I look at people constantly and look at what they are wearing. Now you might be surprised, but on a daily basis, I dress very simply. I actually show most of my love for colors on my nails! People are a great way to get inspired, to hear their life stories, and thoughts, and ideas. I have a friend named Jacqueline Gartland-  Jacks to All Trades – who is full of culture, art, and love.  Whenever I hang out with her, I literally feel ten times better.  Surround yourself by people like this, and you can’t go wrong.

Mireya, Jacqui, and Joanne King

Anyways, these are just a few of the things that inspire me. I am always inspired by other people’s fashion ideas, moms views on children’s clothing, and much more. I just thought I’d share with you some of the basics of what can jumpstart, and inspire you to follow your passion in life, as I did with mine.

Sama Baby at Houston’s First Green Community Festival! November 3, 2009

 

Wrap Up about Houston’s First Green Scene Community Festival!

Sama Baby had a great fashion show and event coverage – by Yolanda Grene’s WB Channel 39 – Going Green show! It was on this past weekend!

What: Community Green Festival

Where: Last Organic Outpost, 711 North Emile Street, Houston, Texas

Why: This event will focus on Green Living and include educational activities for children of all ages, food, vendor booths, workshops, demonstrations, and entertainment.

Who: All things green in Houston: businesses, organizations and individuals will showcase their products, services and talents!

Baby Fashion Show featuring organic baby clothing presented by Sama Baby

How to build a Composting Bin demonstration by Brittani Flowers of NotTrash.Houston

How to make your own Natural, non-toxic cleaning products demonstration by Mona Metzger of Urban Green Clean

Electric Car Showcase by Houston Electric Cars

Silent Auction and Raffle featuring local, green products and services sponsored by Houston Green Scene

Environmental Art Workshop by Artist Charles Washington

Balloon animals for kids with bio-degradable balloons by The Bug Man

Featuring Garden Art by Recycle Artist Phil Waldrop

Recycled Structures proudly constructed by Green Construction Company, Bright Side Construction

Special performance by poet, performance artist and author of Haiku2u:101 select poems on love, trial, triumph and trust Jerome Vielman

Special Appearance by Recycled Home Builder Dan Phillips

Interactive garden games provided by United Wellness Center and Last Organic Outpost

Casserole Cook-off Contest made with local ingredients from the garden by local celebrity chefs and area restaurants

Remember to pick-up your Holiday Green Guide featuring farm fresh recipes from the Last Organic Outpost compliments of Houston Green Scene

Family activities and Kids Corner provided by Last Organic Outpost

Top Models in Sama Baby

Do you care about the impact a product makes? October 29, 2009

Organic Cotton? How do you make a garment out of this?

Cotton Fields in India

To this product?

After my travels to India over the past three years and researching at trade shows regarding organic cotton – I have found so many different versions of organic, that I thought I might just let the bloody truth out of the bag.

 

So, what does it mean to go organic when it comes to fabrics? You deserve to hear it from an expert.  Sama Baby has been part of the Organic Exchange and many other certified organic organizations focusing on defining and bringing awareness to organic textiles.

 

1. Did you know that when you take your child to the doctor, for issues regarding eczema, skin rashes, skin diseases, or skin irritations, one of the FIRST things they recommend is switching to organic cotton?  I do not understand, why do they not preach early on as preventative care for babies to wear organic cotton? Why is it always a remedy AFTER the fact?

 

So how do we produce an organic cotton garment at Sama Baby? Well, first of all, Shivani and I go straight to the mouth of where it is being created. India. We go OURSELVES.

 

When we go there, we hand-pick our factories that we work with.  I would say that probably 1 out of 5 of our competitors are as hands-on as we are.  We work so closely with our factories, that we even have a family-owned factory that we produce some of our garments in.  That is the level of quality we expect in every aspect of our lives, and therefore, deliver that level of excellent quality to you.

 

We make sure that our organic cotton is grown in a specific area – away from conventional cotton.  The cotton is then grown with absolutely no pesticides, no chemicals, no fertilizers, nothing. Everything that touches that cotton is organic, water, earth, sun, and happiness!

 

Another aspect to organic cotton – that most people forget, is the dyeing process. People forget that to create a garment, it is not just about the actual fabric, it is about the PROCESS.

 

Then, that cotton is taken to the factory, and spun into threads and weaved into fabric.

 

With our fabrics, we use the highest level of eco-friendly dyes in the market.  These are the most gentle dyes available, so that your baby’s skin is well protected.

 

The fabric is later taken to the factory to create each garment. Our factory has employees of age, pay fair wages, and work in a clean environment.  In addition, some of our workers actually have the opportunity to stay for classes in the evening, and have a safe home near the factory to live, if needed.

Yarns and Weaving

Our factory is also partially powered by wind and solar energy – another little factor that makes Sama Baby organic and green start to finish!

 

So, that is how we make an organic cotton garment at Sama Baby.

 

Remember, it is the journey and process that matters when it comes to creating a product. How much of an impact are we making when creating a Sama Baby product? Who’s lives are we effecting in the process, and the customer?  These are all HUGE questions when you are buying from a small business – and are all integral in the way we work at Sama Baby!

Journey and Process

 

 

Take A Walk Inside the VANITY FAIR office… August 24, 2009

Hello Everyone!

On our trip in NYC – I was so excited to walk into the Conde Nast building.  It was very similiar to the lobby of the Devil Wears Prada… as I have watched the movie repeatedly over 100 times – and probably can recite it to you..

Beautiful outfits, wonderful summer dresses, expensive handbags, and great little flats that coordinated all the way down to a pair of earrings. Fashion in NYC is absolutely unbelievable, and as I was walking into the VANITY FAIR office, I saw every type.  The place has SUCH high security – that your day pass will change color by the end of the day when you walk out – so that you can’t come in the next day – now talk about high tech!

Alexis Bryan Morgan, Assistant Fashion Editor of VANITY FAIR was there to greet Shivani and I – as we met with her in the headquarters.  She was bubbly, excited, and loved our line.  She really loved the fact that we were family run, kept our company with high integrity even while growing exponentially.

Of course – we would never leave without gifting her cute items….
We gifted her with our new pink halter dress – at http://www.samababy.com/product_p/ss-g3619.htm

and some yummy elephant accessories in pink – http://www.samababy.com/product_p/ec-b619.htm

It was wonderful to meet her and share our story about Sama Baby – and our passion for organic cotton, green, and natural products for babies!

-Neha and Shivani

VANITY FAIR FEATURES SAMA BABY ORGANICS! June 25, 2009

Check it out – Sama Baby is featured in the article “Cute Eco-Friendly Kids’ Clothes Do Exist”

Super exciting – images from our fashion show, photo shoots, and much more about our company!

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/style/2009/06/cute-ecofriendly-kids-clothes-do-exist.html

A few years ago, when sisters Shivani and Neha Gupta were perusing options for eco-friendly baby apparel, they were sorely disappointed in the options available. “We only saw a few little onesies,” Neha says. “When you touched the material, it felt rough—almost like a potato sack. We knew that there had to be a better way.”

 

In 2006, that feeling led the sisters and their mother, Anita, to found Sama Baby Organics, an eco-friendly fashion company with a range of options for kids. The fashion-forward line uses eco-friendly materials (including organic cotton and nontoxic dyes) and processes and is inspired by their home country of India. Sama Baby Organics carries hoodies, tees, and jeans for boys, and halter-style dresses, mini-tunics, and capri leggings are available for girls. “When I’m designing, I definitely think of the different colors that look good on different skin tones,” Neha says. “The bright colors and neat prints are completely inspired by the romantic colors and textures of India.”

 

An ancient Sanskrit word, sama means balance, calmness, and serenity. Even as the label has grown, Shivani, who serves as C.E.O., and Neha, who is vice president and head designer, continue to visit India themselves and remain hands-on throughout the entire production process. “This is what makes the difference,” Neha says. “We know the language. We have a relationship with our manufacturers like that of family. I’m personally talking to the factory heads.”

 

The dichotomy between the East and the West has been on Neha’s mind since she was a painter in high school. “All of my paint subjects became focused on East and West,” she said. “What is the view of beauty in each? What are the cultures? What are the values?” With Sama Baby Organics, she continues to combine the best from each side of the world. “My designs are Western silhouettes with Eastern prints and colors. I never thought that all my interests would come together in synergy,” she says.

 

Although green fashion has recently gotten more attention, Neha says she’s proud that Sama Organics has been committed to sustainability from the start. “Eco-apparel is a totally different way of operating,” she explains. “From the factory working at higher standards to the required health-care regulations, it’s fair trade and organic through and through. It’s changing the standard of life and the way the world is affected.”

 

Receive 10 percent off your purchase at samababy.com using the code VFAIR.

 

YAY!

Neha Gupta

 

A few years ago, when sisters Shivani and Neha Gupta were perusing options for eco-friendly baby apparel, they were sorely disappointed in the options available. “We only saw a few little onesies,” Neha says. “When you touched the material, it felt rough—almost like a potato sack. We knew that there had to be a better way.”

In 2006, that feeling led the sisters and their mother, Anita, to found Sama Baby Organics, an eco-friendly fashion company with a range of options for kids. The fashion-forward line uses eco-friendly materials (including organic cotton and nontoxic dyes) and processes and is inspired by their home country of India. Sama Baby Organics carries hoodies, tees, and jeans for boys, and halter-style dresses, mini-tunics, and capri leggings are available for girls. “When I’m designing, I definitely think of the different colors that look good on different skin tones,” Neha says. “The bright colors and neat prints are completely inspired by the romantic colors and textures of India.”

An ancient Sanskrit word, sama means balance, calmness, and serenity. Even as the label has grown, Shivani, who serves as C.E.O., and Neha, who is vice president and head designer, continue to visit India themselves and remain hands-on throughout the entire production process. “This is what makes the difference,” Neha says. “We know the language. We have a relationship with our manufacturers like that of family. I’m personally talking to the factory heads.”

Chicks who Click, I mean Chicks Who Clink, Bottomless Wine is Belly Bliss! January 10, 2009

Colorado Road Trip - Beautiful Roads!

Day 2: Starting at 7 AM, we headed straight over to Ft. Collins, and if you really want to hear a crazy day read this..

So of course, being the workaholics that we are, we decided to fit in everything we could imagine into one day..

Met with Clothes Pony – a baby boutique we would rate 5 out of 5 in terms of awesome selection of toys, classes, clothes, and passionate individuals that love their store – and unique lines. We met them at ABC Kids, but it was even better to see them in person one on one!

Then of course, driving around N College Ave, we found some great stores like Eco Logic. Apparently the Colorado state has created these Eco stores that are all encompassing from kitchen gadgets all the way to of course fashionable baby clothes – which is where we fit in, affordable, luxury organic baby clothes – which you can find at http://www.samababy.com
We literally did a drive by quick run in to show the line, feel the samples, give a catalogue and head out. Same with another cute boutique that really liked our Lucky Elephant Collection! (An ORGANIC Drive-By!)

Of course, met with our yummy Whole Foods at Ft. Collins who carries our line – it was great to meet our stores that carry us. I think meeting one on one is really what makes us stand out, and sets us apart. We are passionate, authentic, and excited – and they can really feel it – we work with them. And, of course pick up yummy Whole Foods sandwiches that lasted us four hours..

Then we headed back about 80 miles to Cherry Creek in Denver and stopped by a super cute boutique that had yoga classes. It was literally like Deja Vu for Shivani and I – we had been by there playing in the snow with one of our family friends years before!

And then another boutique that does all eco-products.. a mommy and daughter store!

The fun part of all this is that we took a catnap in our car. Yes, in our car, on the side of the street near Louisana St and Downing. Weird, but we were so tired from 200 miles of driving and no sleep.. so yes it was a catnap that lasted about an hour…

And then proceeded to head out to our Chicks Who Click event at B Side Lounge – which we were super excited about meeting some of the best people we have met – authentic, real, exciting, and passionate! Nothing is better than meeting people like Barbara Jones, Gwen Bell, George G Smith, Gwen’s Joel, GeekMommy, Jen, Wayne Sutton, Doyle Al Bee, Zenaweist and MANY others. I hope that we will all find a way to work together, because I am inspired by their wisdom, knowledge, and fervor.

And when you get a group of that much energy, we turn the party in to Chicks who Clink!

See you tomorrow gang – as we are FINALLY at the day of our Conference!