By Andrea Plell / Source: Ecouterre

American Colors is a brand rooted in family. Founded by fashion mogul Henry Lehr in 1997, the firm dabbled in the creation of high-quality yet comfortable classics in a variety of hues, which were achieved by working with a commercial dye house in New Jersey. What began as a side project for Lehr and his son Alex soon grew into a full-fledged operation. With Alex and his wife, Shannon, now at the reins, American Colors’ reach spans the country from Philadelphia, where the garments are proudly cut, sewn and finished, to Santa Barbara, Calif., where its flagship store stands. American Colors favors timeless silhouettes, relaxed fits, and Japan-milled natural fabrics such as washed linen and organic cotton. From tunics to dresses to the company’s signature button-down shirts, the pieces have a laid-back, worn-in quality that evokes shell-combing by the beach or holidays in the Hamptons.

FAMILY TIES
Alex learned early on the damaging effects of conventional cotton. “We thought there must be a better way which would be more sustainable and looked for other resources in the textile market,” he told Ecouterre. “This was a revelation. The products [are now] elevated with much less impact on the environment.”

Looking for other ways to reduce their carbon footprint, the Lehrs began working with Rowan Ricketts, a Bloomington, Ind.-based textile artist who grows indigo plants from seed and converts them into dye.

“It was incredibly sad to see the fallout as factories that had been family-owned for generations downsized and closed,” Alex said.

“We dye with Roland exclusively now as it is 100 percent natural and eco-friendly,” Alex said. “It limits us to different shades of blue, but it’s our favorite color.”

While American Colors’ process is a meticulously considered one, much of the inspiration for its designs derive from the Lehr family’s day-to-day adventures.

“We spend a lot of our time traveling and the collection is based on travel and making the perfect pieces for a weekend getaway,” Alex said. “We always focus on the softness in the materials we choose and making silhouettes that are comfortable and stylish.”

Having lived through the manufacturing exodus of the ’80s and ’90s, when many companies took their production overseas in search of cheaper labor, Alex affirms that “made in the U.S.A.” is a vital part of the brand’s identity.

“It was incredibly sad to see the fallout as factories that had been family-owned for generations downsized and closed,” he said. “We felt compelled to do our part to continue producing our products domestically. In addition to supporting jobs in this country, we feel the quality is far superior.”

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