It’s well known that since the start of the pandemic, online sales have spiked. Folks no longer able to fully embrace the retail experience that was present prior to COVID, have turned to perusing online shops in search of everything from garlic presses to weighted blankets.
While the joy of getting an Amazon package delivered to one’s door is a serotonin booster, more people are seeking ways to put money back into the smaller independently owned companies that dot their neighborhoods.
Those seeking retail therapy without the guilt can find it within the online shop Past Life the Collective. The brand, crafted by Boulder native Berkley Bering Gamble, pairs earthy wearability with eco-conscious edge.
From flower-printed floor-length maxi dresses to billowy blouses, the array of vintage-inspired items in the line’s arsenal looks like the sort of inventory that could easily be found within a charming minimalist boutique in Big Sur. The catch — all pieces are crafted stateside, in small batches, using upcycled fabric.
During November and December, 10% of profits from Past Life the Collective will go to benefit Boulder-based nonprofit Protect Our Winters, an organization dedicated to impacting legislation regarding climate change.
We caught up with the unlikely fashion entrepreneur — who graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2016 and who now lives in Denver — to find out what inspired her to launch a green business in 2020, her childhood inclination to revamp her own wardrobe and what future goals she has for her sustainable company.
Daily Camera: Launching a business during a pandemic may seem like a risky step to many. What inspired you to launch this company in 2020?
Berkley Bering Gamble: Risky indeed. Well, honestly I really did not have much of a choice. Although this company launched this year, I had been working on it since summer of 2019. We began making all the clothing in hopes of launching a small collection for Spring/Summer 2020.
Everything changed in March when the pandemic hit. I chose to hold off from launching because it just felt extremely unaligned with our world. Instead, my production team pivoted and we made 500 masks using leftover fabric scraps from production. This helped my production stay in business and kept me busy. Now, this perhaps could come off as though it was easy but it was not. I was extremely stressed about the financials of my business, I was already knee deep in production for Fall/Winter 2020 and truly felt like I had no other options but to just continue going on, taking one step after another, and trust that things will work out, while remembering these times are hard on everyone.
Maybe I learned from my athletic background, but I really firmly believe on controlling those things you can control and obviously the pandemic is nothing we can really control. That said, I also look for the positives and clearly this pandemic has pushed more and more people to become conscious about their shopping. Supporting small and bringing it back to the community is also becoming a core value to consumers. My entire brand is built on being ethical and sustainable and shoppers are starting to really think about conscious choices and not solely based on price.
DC: What do you think sets Past Life the Collective apart from other retailers?
BBG: I’d like to think of us as an “anti-brand” — now that likely sounds weird, but for a clothing brand we do not follow any traditional marketing model or business model. From top to bottom, bottom to top, we make all the choices about the business that are right. They are usually not the cheapest or fastest option. For example, I could easily get all the clothes made in Asia, which would drive the costs down considerably. But, instead we make everything locally in Denver at an ethical, small manufacturer. This way I know all the seamstresses are paid well, treated fairly and we have a small carbon footprint on making items.
Our fabrics are all made from “deadstock,” which is other fabric that manufacturers had no intention of using. Instead of it going to waste, like end up in a landfill or burned, we use it. We are also zero-waste, which means that all of our scraps and cut offs from production are saved and repurposed. For example, currently all our scraps are being made into hang tags.
Another thing that very few brands do is show the customer the breakdown of cost per item. We do that. We show where every dollar goes, how much it costs for ethical labor and how much money we make in the end. Transparency is super important to me. I don’t want to be a brand focused on profit. I am a firm believer that if you do things the right way, good things will happen in time. Don’t get me wrong, profit is necessary to stay in business, but there is a right process to follow. First comes people and the planet. Profit comes later.
DC: Had you always known you wanted to do something in the line of fashion?
BBG: Definitely not. I was a classic millennial who, post college, had zero idea of the direction I wanted to take. I moved to several cities, worked a variety of service industry jobs and overall had trouble staying in one place. I love the beauty of the outdoors and really wanted to figure out a way I could make a difference in my lifetime. I sort of fell into fashion.
The real reason I ended up here is my passion for protecting the planet. However, I believe my Grandma Natty would have predicted this career path for me. When I was little I used to rip apart jeans, sew beads on them and spray paint them. I always loved to express myself through clothing but as I grew older I became more focused on playing a college sport. And to be honest, there is no chance I could have pulled Past Life the Collective off without my designer, Addie Sweeney — another Boulder native — that has been with me since the beginning.
DC: Would you say growing up in Boulder had an influence on your own personal style and aesthetic?
BG: That is such an interesting question because I feel like growing up here everyone is so laid back. It is one of the only cities where people can show up to the nicest restaurants and be in yoga pants, which I love. I grew up barely brushing my hair — I am sorry mom — rarely wearing makeup and that natural attitude is still very much a part of me. Now, you will find me decked out in Past Life the Collective clothing, but you most likely will find me in Converse rather than heels.
DC: Who would you say potential Past Life shoppers are?
BBG: We have a wide range of people who identify as women that can shop with us. Between my age, 26, and my mother’s age — dare I say — who all look amazing and find their unique style within the brand. The clothing we make is timeless, high quality and also limited edition. So, you know everything is special. The most important thing is that shoppers have to be looking for more than just a cute top. We have that, but we offer so much more. By purchasing with us, you are taking better care of the planet and taking care of the people on it too.
DC: Lastly, what ultimate goals do you have for the brand?
BBG: I mean first and foremost, I want to make it through this pandemic and really start to grow the brand. I hope for it to turn into a staple brand for people in Colorado, while also becoming a lifestyle brand and place that customers can shop for a variety of sustainable goods. Plus I would love to have a brick-and-mortar one day in my favorite place in the world, Boulder.
