Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Anderson
Hi Brooke, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been a lover of fashion & dressed uniquely in my own way. I feel that the way we dress is a beautiful expression of our own inner world. When I was a kid my dad said I would change my outfit ten times a day until it was just right!
Fast forward to 2020 I was staying in a little bungalow in Hawaii. I was traveling/living on Big island for a few months & had a dream and vision of making long flowing garments for people with intention so that they felt empowered & authentic in their expression. So I bought my first sewing machine, watched a YouTube tutorial & sewed my first Kimono! I was shocked at how easy it flowed for me & that on my first try I created a beautiful garment.
I then found myself living in San Diego California & I began to sew kimonos out of recycled fabrics. I lived in my van and had a setup in my van and would sew along the ocean coastline. I would then set up at the market & sell my creations! I then took a break from it when I got in a car accident & lost my van & needed to move into a home which meant I needed to have a more stable income so I took a job as a Hospice nurse & put my sewing on the back burner. Yet I had always felt that I just didn’t fully immerse myself in my craft and knew I was not done with it.
Fast forward I moved back home to Minnesota in 2023, I became a Muslim & I recognized the lack of modest clothing that is available here & everywhere really! I came across a study on the frequency of fabrics & learned how terrible synthetic fibers are for our bodies & the environment & how incredibly healing & nourishing linen is to the body & earth! It was then that I decided I would use linen solely as my medium for all garments & that modesty and devotion would be the foundation of all of my designs. Recognizing the effect of synthetic fibers on the body & the environment I thought well then what about the synthetic dyes? Realizing that they too contribute to poor health for us & our world. I then began to experiment with natural dyes & decided that every bit of my process would be sustainable and nourishing to the body, soul, & earth.
Thus Sown Of The Earth was rebranded with 100% organic linen fibers, all natural plant dyes, even the tags & thread I use are organic cotton! I wanted every bit of the process & clothing to be completely natural & sustainable.
Islam encourages taking care of the environment, as it is part of Allah’s creation. I see choosing natural fibers & dyes that are nourishing to the body & earth as a way to honor God’s creation.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty.”
Creating modest naturally dyed organic linen garments is a way in which I choose to honor beauty & the natural world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No it definitely has been a winding journey of trust, surrender, finding confidence, finding resources, finding time & staying committed. Before I moved back home & got clear on my vision for my clothing brand I always felt like I just hadn’t followed through on my vision. Once my vision & plan became crystal clear my passion continually fueled me. I would say the hardest part has been having to work as a nurse when my soul is screaming to create & give every second to this! The passion moves through me in a way that always keeps me motivated & going but I struggle to feel behind & off track when I have to go work elsewhere. Though currently I feel at ease with it, I am learning to slow down even more, to trust the expression of this art & to not rush production in any way. I’m learning to be grateful for my job as a hospice nurse that provides me with the support & freedom I need to dive into my craft. I also just want to shout out my Fiance as he has been the most supportive partner, in all of the ways, & it has truly shown me that when the people around us believe in us & do all they can to help us make it happen that it creates waves of passion & drive & makes you feel like anything is possible! Because it is <3
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create plant dyed organic linen garments with the foundation of modesty & devotion. Creating clothing that is nourishing to ones body, soul, & earth. Devotion & prayer in every stitch. Creating garments that reflect & bring one into harmony with the natural world. I specialize in natural dyeing & sewing garments from scratch. I would say to sum it all up my brand is rooted in my faith of Islam, steeped with the values of devotion & modesty, & ultimately honoring all of creation through clothing that brings healing to ones body & is in harmony with the earth. Linen & plant dyes are sustainable, biodegradable & have a long list of health benefits, thus adding to honoring of ones body & environment. I believe this whole combination is what sets me apart. Bringing devotion & prayer into all that I do, giving it all up to the Most High. Creating 100% sustainable organic garments made by hand – combatting fast fashion! Most Islamic wear that I have come across (& most clothing in general) is made of synthetic fibers & it is my deep passion & mission to educate people on what fast fashion & synthetic fibers do to us & our precious world. Hoping to make an impact & create change in the fashion industry. On top of making & selling garments I do my best to use my platforms to educate on why slow fashion is important, how to naturally dye, how to sew, & ultimately how to get your closet full of natural fibers!
What does success mean to you?
I think success is determined by how close you are to God, how devoted you are to being in remembrance of something higher than this existence.
I believe God has a divine plan for all of us & our journey here is to surrender, to trust, to be disciplined & to strive towards our goals all the while doing it from the core of our hearts. When I’m in my heart, soft, slow & present, in tune with God, truly listening, then I feel successful. When I feel in complete trust of where I am at & where this journey in fashion & in life is taking me, then I feel successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sownoftheearth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sownoftheearth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565099390180
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SownOfTheEarth
