Kimberly McGlonn, the creator of Philadelphia-based fashion house NOOR by Grant Blvd, focuses on sustainability as a business imperative, writes Susan Phillips for WHYY.
At NOOR by Grant Blvd, Kimberly McGlonn uses only natural and plant-based fibers. This includes fibers like Tencel and linen, as well as wool. No materials used are sourced from fossil fuels.
In fact, the company even produced a line of luxe loungewear made from Tencel, which is a fabric made from wood pulp.
“We’re thinking about from a materiality perspective, how we can reduce our reliance on petroleum,” McGlonn said. “And for us that means thinking about the well-being of women who are figuring out their lives away from public gaze and using garments constructed sustainably and ethically to improve their quality of life.”
The brand’s sustainable approach also includes keeping all of their scraps and turning them into wall art, later selling them.
McGlonn can boil down her business approach to three key commitments. They are reducing waste, providing climate-friendly and high-quality clothing, and paying wages that reflect the true value of the work being done.
NOOR by Grant Blvd is located inside the MaKen Studio South warehouse space in Kensington.
Read more about Kimberly McGlonn and her sustainable approach at NOOR by Grant Blvd in WHYY.
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