How long have you been in business?
3 Years
How did you come up with the name of your company?
We were looking for something to symbolize the idea of connection since our goal is to bring ethically sourced fashion to the consumer and promote transparency in the supply chain. The Bishop in the strategic game of chess stood out as the perfect symbol for us, as its role is most effective when there are two on the board. There was also this spread of Tilda Swinton posed as chess pieces photographed by Craig McDean for AnOther Magazine that kept popping up during our information search. We became obsessed with it! That pretty much solidified the name for us.
What does “sustainable fashion” mean to you?
Sustainable fashion is simply fashion that impacts all stakeholders in the most fair, respectful and positive way. For us, those stakeholders are not just those members of the supply chain, but also our natural resources, surrounding environment and future generations. There are so many ways to practice sustainability all with pros and cons. We are focusing on sourcing, awareness and accountability.
Who is your customer?
The Bishop customer is in tune with the zeitgeist but does not let it define her. She is educated, confident and strong in her convictions. She prefers quality over quantity and spends her time and money on experiences. She has a strong sense of community values and appreciates hard work- but also knows how to live it up. When she buys a Bishop piece, she isn’t buying just the fashion garment but also the story- the story of the designer, the maker and the processes throughout their journey.
What’s the most challenging thing about running a sustainable business?
Not getting ahead of ourselves. We promote slow fashion and to a degree, slow business. We want to take time to really cultivate our brand, our customer and our sustainable endeavors. It is hard to see brands that started when we did blow up so quickly and know we are not at that same place. We look ahead, but not too far ahead, so we don’t forget what we are doing right now. Consistency in our message is important and we don’t want to dilute that just to be the most talked about.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you or your company?
We are redefining retail through ethically sourced, American made fashion.
Just For Fun
What’s your spirit animal?
A swift.
What’s your favorite lunch?
Leftovers.
What’s your favorite color?
I can’t commit but right now it is blue.
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