Tifany Hoffman, resident of Seymour, Tennessee offers eco-friendly clothing and accessories through her website Recycle Bin : Sustainable Style.  Hoffman, originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida fell in love with the Smoky Mountains while on vacation and moved up to Tennessee four years ago.  Hoffman is an independent designer who considers fashion her outlet to educate people on environmental awareness.  

Until recently Hoffman made all of her clothing herself, carefully selecting her materials and even dying her own fabrics.   Starting in the fall of 2008 Tifany has decided to sub out her work, turning the production over to a pattern maker and an all natural dye house located here in Tennessee.  Currently prices for garments in Hoffman's 5:22 line range in price from $90 to $250 and most of her remaining Spring inventoy has been marked down.  

When asked about the origin of the inspiration for her clothing Hoffman replied, "Each line is different. I usually get inspiration from different eras, sometimes from something that has happened in my life recently. Other times a vintage fabric will spark ideas for the feel of a line."

Q: What provided your inspiration for fashion and at what age did you know you wanted to be a fashion designer? 

A: My inspiration for fashion started at an early age. I grew up with a father who is an artist and attended the Art Institute in Ft. Lauderdale FL. My mother is a seamstress and made most of my clothing when I was growing up. She did not attend school for seamstress work, but the knowledge has been passed down through many generations. My great, great grandmother came to this country from Sweden and was a wedding gown maker. She embellished the gowns by hand. I would have to say that fashion design is in my blood. I attended two fashion-marketing classes in high school. When the class took a trip to New York where I was able to go behind the scenes of a design studio. I fell in love with it, and it has been a dream of mine ever since. I have not had further schooling in this area; it's just something that is in me.

Q: When did you build your website? Did you put it together yourself? How long have you been selling merchandise from your site?

A: I had my website built in 2004. I had a professional design it and put it together. The site is something that evolves every time I do as an artist. I have been selling from my e commerce site since 2004.

Q: Tell me a little bit about your line. What fabrics do you use for your clothing? Is it harder to make clothing that is friendly to the environment?

A: My 5:22 Collection is a vintage fabric inspired clothing line. I derived my designs and color ways from it. I used the vintage fabric as accents to the pieces in this collection. The other fabrics used are hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, and tencel. I dye all the fabrics with non-toxic dyes. I wouldn't say that it is harder to make eco-friendly clothing, but it takes a little more time for sourcing fabrics. It is also more expensive for the fabrics. I truly believe in what I'm doing, and I have a passion and high moral standard that drives me. So with that it doesn't seem like I'm doing something that is harder. It is worth it to me. "It is more than just fashion, it is a mission," said Tifany Hoffman, Recycle Bin creator and designer.    

Q:  What kind of practices do you take part in at home, aside from your clothing that is economically friendly or "green"? Do you have any advice for people wanting to become more environmentally conscious about daily changes they could make in their lives to better our planet?

A: At home aside from my clothing I implement eco friendly living in a number of ways. The biggest way all of us can make a positive impact on the environment is to recycle. The more we recycle the less new product waste and use we will have. We need to make the resources we already have usable so we can cut down on making new waste. Other ways I implement green living at home is by choosing to use non-toxic soaps for the laundry, dishes, house cleaning, shower, toothpaste, and even hand soaps. People would be amazed at the effects the other soaps have on our groundwater and wild life. I use all recycled paper products. I also conserve on energy. There are so many simple everyday things we can all do that truly add up. Turn things off when you're not using them.  Use washable napkins instead of paper ones. Buy the other types of soaps and cleaning products instead the toxic ones. All these things are being made available in regular grocery stores now. It has never been so easy. It is just a matter of choice.

 

Hoffman recently returned from a business trip to New York City where she attended The Go Green Expo. While at the convention Hoffman met with other like-minded designers and companies who share her interests and passions.  Hoffman admitted that her career has been a struggle for the past 17 years but to her it has all been worth it.  
As an aspiring fashion designer myself, I asked Hoffman if she had any advice for me in regard to the opportunities available in the world of fashion.  Hoffman had this to say in response, "Fashion is a growing market if you will.  There's plenty of room for all of us, but it is hard to make it to a point where people actually acknowledge your work."  

For those of you just as excited as I am to have such a talented and enviormentally conscious designer among us, be sure to keep a look out for Tifany Hoffman's new line.  In the Spring of 2009 Tifany will be persuing her career under her own name as an independent designer.  If you have any questions or comments for Tifany she can be contacted at service@recyclebindesigns.com