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rene geneva design, eco chic clothing



In 1993 Rene Geneva received an inheritance that would change her life: her grandmother's Singer sewing machine.

Working as a freelance photographer at the time, Rene found that her clothing designs brought new inspiration to her work in the studio. Self-taught in design, sewing and patterning, with many mentors along the way, she landed her first gig in 1994 with an Orlando designer whose style and philosophy was quite different from her own, though it managed to pique her interest in the world of fashion as an art form. From there, Rene was contracted by Entertain Fla, Inc to design and manufacture costumes for Universal Studio's parade performers. Desiring to explore fresh directions in her own work, Rene started Faernyn's Grove (now the brand name of her corsetry) in 1997.

She moved to Austin, Texas in 2002 where she opened her first design studio. Focusing on custom-made clothing, she and her assistants worked with individual customers as well as producing limited wholesale orders for boutiques around the world.

Rene also picked up where she left off with costuming, working on such films as The King (w/Gael Garcia Bernal, 2005), and Dot (Burnt Orange Productions, 2005).

rene geneva, eco friendly designer

As Rene’s skill as a designer grew, so did her awareness of the world around her. She realized that her business needed to account for its impact on the environment – both ecological and social. That meant a commitment to materials, production methods and business practices that did the least possible harm to the environment – and the people who inhabit it.

In 2003 she began working with a small family operation in Pakistan. In November 2005, Rene headed to Nicaragua (the second poorest nation in the Western hemisphere) to work with a fair wage, fair trade women's textile cooperative. Training them in the elements of corsetry and appliqué enabled them to produce Rene’s latest designs – and to expand their capabilities beyond T-shirt production. This partnership reflects Rene Geneva’s commitment to support fair wage and fair trade practices.

She began the Sun Power Project to help facilitate solar electricity for communities in need. Working with indigenous population's and small villages globally has allowed her to source rare organic textiles, such as hand spun/woven "peace" silks and fabric made from the bark of trees.

2005 was her first collection to offer exclusively organic and eco-friendly textiles and it has been strong since. Evolving into an interesting collection of lines that include asymmetrical coats, chic party dresses, fun corsets, unique bridal, and even thigh high socks, Geneva has gone above and beyond to provide pure fashion to fashionista's. Showing lines in multiple Mercedes Benz Fasion Week's and having her designs on tour with Theivary Corporation, René couldn't be more appreciative of the opportunities that have allowed her fashions to be noticed.

Currently, Ms. Geneva is working on the preliminary details with the support of the Whole Planet Foundation on a project to help educate women and provide skilled jobs in Nicaragua. This project is slated to break ground in late 2009.

When Rene isn’t working, she’s enjoying her four-year-old son and seeking inspiration through Japanese architecture, traveling, snowboarding, dirt biking, wake surfing, stilt walking, fire dancing, and finding time to sleep.