The pandemic made a tough retail market even more perilous with many brick-and-mortar stores shutting down completely. For Jasmine Etoile Aarons though, it was thankfully only a small setback. In March 2021, Aarons opened up her beautiful flagship shop in New York City’s Soho on Prince Street in a former art gallery – which is very apropos considering every piece is a work of art and labor of love.

VOZ is an ethical fashion company whose mission is to protect the livelihoods, well-being, and cultural values of rural indigenous women globally. They pay living wages for every textile and sewn garment, use sustainable fibers and processes, ensure all deliveries are carbon neutral, and provide over 100 jobs throughout their supply chain. Take that Bezos!

Aarons founded Voz (Spanish for voice) in southern Chile in 2012 with a background in product design engineering and consulting through fair trade foundations. This work informed her current business and practices. Early in the pandemic she realized that everything would change forever, but timeless, essential designs would continue to be treasured. I couldn’t agree more.

Voz offers thoughtful design in sumptuous high-quality fabrics, ethically. Each collection is co-created with the traditions of Mapuche master artisans, then developed and produced locally in New York City with women-owned factories. Talk about women’s empowerment! Voz is also a certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp), so you’re truly supporting an ethical fashion brand with a long-term sustainable mission, while ensuring you have beautiful, long lasting pieces in your wardrobe that you can wear proudly and happily for years to come!

You can’t go wrong, but my top picks are –

/ 1 / Tie Dye Bralette Wrap Top ($525) and Tie Dye Bias Midi Skirt ($695)

/ 2 / Flammé Knit Crop Top ($295)

/ 3 / Naghedi St. Barths Mini Tote ($255)

/ 4 / Plated Belt ($225)

Linen is one of my absolute favorite things about summer.  It’s soft, breathable (anti-bacterial too for those who break a quick sweat), and I love the relaxed, un-fussy nature of the fabric.  I recently learned that it’s one of the most sustainable fabrics too – even more than organic cotton – since it uses less water than cotton during production and is made from flax, a regenerative crop.  Linen is also naturally moth-resistant, making any pieces you add to your wardrobe an investment for many summers to come.

WOMEN

/ 1 /  L’Agence Danica Linen Pant $255
/ 2 /  Lulu’s Double Digits Linen Halter Crop Top $21 (Limited sizes, so this Everlane Linen Picnic Top $50 is a great alternative.)
/ 3 /  Missoma Mini Tunnel Hoop Earrings $110
/ 4 /  Mansur Gavriel Limited-Edition Pascucci Tote $395
/ 5 /  Naturalizer Vera Sandal $110

MEN

/ 1 /  Bonobos Solid Linen Henley Sweater $98
/ 2 /  Huckberry Flint and Tinder Cotton Linen Short $68
/ 3 /  Ray-Ban 62mm Gradient Lens Aviator Sunglasses $198
/ 4 /  Tissot Carson Premium Chronograph Leather Strap Watch $525
/ 5 /  Vince Dowell Slide Sandal $125

Shop additional linen options on my website.