Our first release of the Sonoran collection is the Ocotillo Dress. The ocotillo is a shrub indigenous to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of the American Southwest.

We started with a sketch, desiring a dress that was as comfortable as it was playful, showcasing digitally printed artwork on the sleeves.

A mixture of oranges - sandy and sunset - and beige were chosen to reflect not only the rock formations of the area, but also the incredible sunsets.

This was translated into MET's digital artwork, Barren Hallucination. The artwork references the dreamlike state of the sun setting over the Arizona horizon. This was printed via reactive digital printing onto conventional cotton. 

Reactive digital printing reduces water consumption by up to 50%, as compared to roller or silkscreen printing. As well, there is less ink wastage and therefore less ink discharge.

The Ocotillo Dress is made of 100% cotton poplin. Cotton poplin is a weave that can hold more structure than a cotton knit, while remaining light and breathable.  The sleeves are conventional cotton (we plan to print only on organic cotton for future collections), while the body is 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. GOTS certification means the cotton is traceable, and grows in an environment that maintains soil health. Organic cotton farming practices also refrain from using synthetic pesticides that can be toxic to farmers' health and the local water supply.

The Ocotillo dress was manufactured at Fabrika, a local small-batch production studio in East London. They specialize in high-end production, working with many emerging designers and brands in the city.

You can purchase this limited-run item here.