The Interview
“I was already drawn to a lot of the pieces, like the Indian miniature paintings. The perspective in a lot of them is kind of wonky, but the dimensionality and colors appealed to me. Same with the Japanese block prints. Those were the pieces I lingered on.
“I feel like, in some ways, it’s come full circle now that I’m making these open kimono-style pieces—inspired by Japanese haori—out of gorgeous, handcrafted Indian textiles. It’s not an exact translation of what I did back then, but it feels like what I can make out of my experience there.”
7 Small Businesses with a Big Green Impact
Have you heard of Kanthas? They’re the inspiration for the sustainable fashion-artistry that is Otto Finn. Kanthas are traditional Bengali quilts crafted from layers of repurposed fabric. Otto Finn founder Rona Chang and her team take the concept even further to create fully repurposed and wearable quilted fashion. The end result is eco-friendly, inclusive, and fashion-forward — a wearable celebration of cultural heritage, craftsmanship, color, and style.
Shoutout LA
"OTTO FINN is an extension of myself. Sustainability, diversity and inclusion are core tenets of OTTO FINN. We run a sustainable business because we believe we can encourage each other to treat the planet better."
How to Dress for the Planet
The most 'sustainable' garment is the one that shows its wear, proudly.
Not Your Typical Blanket
Cold at your desk? Consider a chic blanket jacket by Otto Finn. The one-of-a-kind jackets (all named after the sustainable fashion brand’s heroines, including Billie Holiday) are made from vintage blankets or second-market fabrics. Otto Finn offers in-stock as well as made-to-order jackets.
Pop into the Lawrenceville Pop-Up Market
When Rona Chang saw the impact that covid-19 had on fellow small businesses, she literally took to the street.
SHOWROOM
Style412 launches Showroom program to support emerging Pittsburgh fashion designers
Pop Up Market in Lawrenceville
Minimum Waste and Maximum Comfort
Meet Rona Chang, the founder of OTTO FINN, a Lawrenceville-based sustainable fashion company that believes in minimum waste, maximum comfort, and authenticity. The shop sells a variety of clothing and accessories made from second-hand materials but specializes in coats made from old quilts and kantha blankets.
Spring into a Sustainable Quilt Jacket
Handmade Jackets
With the official start of spring just a few weeks away, it could be snowy one day and 50 degrees the next in Pittsburgh.
If you’re looking for a transitional jacket to help you bridge that gap, there are several beautiful handmade ones stocked.
Pittsburgh Mask Maker Spotlight
Since the beginning of the pandemic, designers, artists, and sewing hobbyists have taken to their sewing machines to fill the demand of masks for the public to wear. Pittsburgh City Paper is taking a look behind the scenes and highlighting local mask makers.
