Ethical Boss Babe Devan Gregori Opens Her First Brick and Mortar in Bay Area
Devan Gregori is one of the most inspiring sustainable fashion designers of her generation. Based in the Bay Area, she opened her own brick-and-mortar boutique in Rockridge, at 5540 College Avenue.
A Bay Area Native, Devan was working in tech and dropped her day job to focus on her passion: inclusive and sustainable fashion. Her line, which currently offers more than 60 designs, is at the crossroads of bohemian chic and elevated urban fashion. From fun bictwo-toneolor denim pants to comfy linen jumpsuits to cheeky slitted flares, her brand has been praised by many—including A-listers and a feature in Harper’s Bazaar.
A worldwide operation
Devan Gregori has high ethics and her designs are its reflection to a perfect pitch. Everything is made in small batches in China, helping dozens of women into ethical manufacturing locations. “We use as much of that fabric as possible in order to reduce the amount of textile waste going into landfill.” Most deadstock is used to create scrunchies, which she both offers online and at the store.
Not only are Gregori’s designs using noble fabrics, but she is using traditional techniques for her prints, therefore bringing her designs to the next level. “Since I lived in Lyon, France for years, I managed to create meaningful relationships with fashion experts there. Lyon is famous for being one of the Old World’s references when it comes to textiles.” Devan works with a family-owned and operated mill in Lyon for the printed textiles, as well as a mill in Japan that produces the cotton for her overalls..
A key actress in the sustainable industry
Devan Gregori travels the country to share her vision. Her store in the Bay Area has been reinforcing her trademark she has since been cross country to sell her designs. Last month, she was selling her pieces at Unique Markets, both in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.
Gregori is starting to become known in the industry for her versatile items that can be worn both by men and women. Being focused on inclusive designs, she is aiming to launch a plus size collection for next fall, always with the vision of clean silhouettes. “My designs are cross-generational and can be adorned at numerous events, from dawn to dusk. I think that fashion tends to be ageist and I do not want to have someone in the store, trying on a piece and thinking “am I too old for this?”.”
When Devan is not traveling, you can find her and her adorable standard poodle Stella at the store. All designs are available at www.devangregori.com and @shopdevangregori on all social media channels.
Photographed by Kala Minko and Josh Soyombo.