Me Wants It: Tie-Dye Halter Dress by SUNO

by Beautifully Invisible on June 30, 2010

Have you heard of SUNO?

The fashion line was recently featured in Vogue magazine. They have received press in Lucky, Marie Claire, and numerous other outlets.

In today’s “Zoe Report” email, Rachel Zoe featured this halter dress from SUNO’s Spring/Summer 2010 line.

So what makes SUNO and this halter dress so special?

The design is simple enough: it is a loose-fitting, sleeveless halter with two front patch pockets.

What makes it so unique is the lightweight silk material. Each dress is a one of a kind creation. Although the dress is designed in New York City, the silk is hand-dyed by artisans in fair-trade workshops in Nairobi, Kenya. So no two dresses will ever be the same.

Kate Bosworth is a fan, and has been spotted wearing this very dress:

The company itself was founded for a unique reason. From the website:

“SUNO was formed in 2008 by Max Osterweis after more than a decade of collecting textiles in visits to Kenya. The prospect that Kenya’s recent post election turmoil might keep foreigners from visiting or investing in a country overflowing with natural resources, talent, and good will became the catalyst to actually do something with those collected fabrics. Building a successful and visible company that employs local Kenyan talent, treats workers fairly, and showcases some of Kenya’s artistry, could potentially affect positive and lasting social and economic change.

The design and development for SUNO takes place in New York City, employing skilled sample and pattern makers in New York’s garment district. The patterns and samples are then brought to Kenya where the garments are artisanally produced in small workshops.

SUNO’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collection was inspired by late 1960s American interiors, traditional East African textiles, Klimt, travels to Turkey, Paris, and India, as well as our friends in NYC. With this collection we have started to design most of our prints ourselves, sometimes directly referencing our influences, but sometimes just using our inspirations as jumping off points. We are showing off the rapidly growing skills of the tailors we work with in Kenya as well as experimenting with some truly exquisite beading and embroidery.”

Sounds like a company I’d like to support. The clothing is pricey, but you’ll have a one-of-a-kind item!

Click here or here to buy the teal version of the dress for $625.

OR you can buy this equally adorable halter in grey and white on clearance from Opening Ceremomy here in limited sizes!