Photo by Jason Varney

Kate D’Arcy is on a mission, and her message is simple: “You don’t have to sacrifice good style to be eco-friendly,” the 27-year-old West Chester resident says. “There’s still that stigma that eco-friendly means burlap pants. No! Wipe that away!”

D’Arcy is well on her way to proving it. Her women’s sportswear line, Toggery by Kate D’Arcy—now in its second year—is created exclusively from organic and sustainable materials like organic cotton, fast-growing bamboo and super-soft modal, which is made from recycled beech wood fibers. Her pieces, designed and manufactured in Pennsylvania and priced accessibly from $30 to $160, are already in 100 stores across the country, including The Closet in Manayunk and other Philly boutiques.

“When we started Toggery,” D’Arcy says, “the idea was that there’s not really one brand out there that’s eco-friendly and sustainable and that people can count on for affordable and stylish goods. We want to be that flagship brand. “

D’Arcy got the entrepreneur gene from her parents, who own a Harley Davidson dealership. But for her, fashion was a passion, not a career—until she began working as a stylist. “After going through a couple clients’ closets and putting outfits together for them, I realized that what people needed was a line you could turn to for really good, classic, basic silhouettes that you could buy in a number of colors.” So, after a few night classes in clothing construction, she threw her life savings into Kathryn Jessica, her first dress line, designed to doing just that.

But D’Arcy eventually wanted to do something with more substance, so Toggery was born. “It’s about how you can make small changes in your life, and even small changes will make a difference.,” she says. “I want it to be the brand people can count on for great values, great fit and great fashions that happen to be organic and sustainable.” And each style has a story too: each is named for a woman who has contributed to the Toggery brand, or whom D’Arcy admires.

Now, Toggery has showrooms in New York and Los Angeles, and a new online store, luxgreenliving.com. And D’Arcy’s dream, of creating something that sounds a lot like GAP with a conscience, looks like it’s well on its way. In the meantime, D’Arcy runs a tight ship, designing from a home studio and even modeling her own clothes for her look books. But, then, it makes sense; she knows how to style them better than anyone.

FASHION INSPIRATION: Diane Von Furstenberg has always been really inspirational to me. She’s who I want to model my business after; I just love her story and I’ve always loved her clothes. That era of ’70s glamour and effortless chic really inspired me. I put a picture of her at my desk to inspire
me and remind me that my fashion empire is
on its way.

PERSONAL STYLE: When I get dressed, I want to show people, ‘Look, organic can be fabulous and chic.’ For me, fashion is about over-the-top heels and big gold jewelry. My style is inspired by ’70s glamour, which is so fun. Halston and Yves Saint Laurent in the ’70s were effortless but very chic and sexy. And when it comes to splurges I’m big on shoes, jackets and jewelry, especially costume jewelry, because fashion is supposed to be fun. My style rules are: Never pay attention to size because it’s literally just a number; I could buy something in extra small, but I might buy it in a large because it’s a whole different look. Never go out in something you don’t feel confident in. Keep color around your face; wear a scarf or a necklace. And your biggest investment should be jackets, handbags and shoes because those are your statement pieces.

GREEN ROOTS: My entire life, I grew up knowing what it is to recycle; I’ve always been conscientious about that stuff. When I was thinking of putting together a line, I wanted it to be smart. I wanted to have substance behind it, because fashion can be a little frivolous. I stand behind being made in America and using organic and sustainable fabrics. A good brand that has depth behind it is like meeting a really cute boy who’s also funny and smart; you feel like you’ve hit the jackpot.