And Nau for something completely different.
Portland-based, Nau is changing the way clothes are made and bought. Just a walk inside their “webfront” (which is a term they use for store) and you’ll feel the difference. It’s by far the most green resident inside Bellevue Square and with Fashion Week in full swing in downtown Bellevue, I sat down with Jil Zilligen, VP of Sustainable Business Practices, to learn some more.
db: So you’re not a clothing company?
JZ: We are, but more. Our model is to design and distribute, but in addition we look at clothing from a lifecycle perspective and design with the end in mind.
db: So this store is a front for something bigger?
JZ: Well, we don’t call them stores, they’re web fronts. It’s part of our digital brand. Our customers can treat it like a regular store where you can touch and try items on, purchase, and walk out. Or, touch and try items on, then purchase and we’ll just ship it to you. You get 10% off if you choose the shipping method and 5% of that goes to one of our partner charities.
db: Do you think consumers are ready to buy like that? After all we’re a society that wants immediate gratification.
JZ: We think so. Our polling shows that 50% are ready to use our store as an extension of the Internet and not buy the product right away.
db: How long has nau been around?
JZ: Roughly two and a half years.
db: What type of people buy nau clothing?
JZ: Our target customers are artists, activists, and athletes. Most companies might look for accomplished athlete in each of those areas. Our heroes are those looking to be active in social and environmental change.
db: What are you wearing today?
JZ: I’m wearing the courier windshirt and bouldering capri.
db: Tell us a fun fact about nau?
JZ: Well, let’s see. There are so many interesting things. Well, we’re located on Lovejoy Street; we were almost named Lovejoy. Oh, I know, we’ve got a kegerator in our headquarters office.
db: This is going to sound funny, but where is nau in the future?
JZ: Well, in 2008 we’re planning on opening 10-12 web fronts, and another 10-12 in 2009. We’re hoping to create positive change; the world needs a different way of doing business. We’re hoping to set the trend in the world of fashion.
db: Why not put your product in a national chain?
JZ: Well, we’d lose control over our message. We like the control we have over the design and delivery over the clothing. This allows us to meet a good price point and still hit our margin.
db: What’s your return policy?
JZ: All our clothes are guaranteed. We’ll gladly replace it or refund it.
If you haven’t been inside nau in Bellevue Square, we highly recommend checking it out. At the least it’ll be different from what you’ve experienced before in an outdoor apparel shop. Jil is right about one thing. “You can’t do business on a dead planet.” nau’s commitment to sustainability shines through their store, clothes, and service. nau, Polynesian for welcome, or come to me makes outdoor gear to wear anytime/anyplace. They create product that looks good, lasts long, and has great performance. All this while changing the world.
We wish them all the best!
I find their clothes to be boring and so Northwest…boring and dull. Bellevue doesn’t need this. We want style and class not boring and dull-looking clothes. Next!
“Just a walk inside their “webfront” (which is a term they use for store) and you’ll feel the difference.”
–Yeah the difference is their clothes are so unfashionable and unstylish…they’re pathetic looking. If you want to look like a zookeeper then definitely shop there or even at Ex Officio.
I wouldn’t say that this is a store I would shop at, but please people, you don’t need to be soo judgemental. At least they’re trying to do something innovative and different. Good for them…who knows if it will last…but good for them.
I totally disagree, their clothes are very chic.
It doesn’t YELL fashion (which is nice), and the details on Nau’s clothing are very comprehensive…every last detail is given thought.
The stores, clothes, and business model have great design!
yeah and oprah even featured their one jacket on her favorite “green” things hahaha
The only good things about that store are 1) the outside looks cool 2) it is right next to Express.
It is not near Express…It is across the way from Victoria Secret.
I think you are thinking of “Martin + Osa”, also a new store in the mall.
We ran a story on them, when they moved in:
http://www.downtownbellevue.net/2007/05/new-bellevue-square-stores.html
The confusion with Martin Osa by one user just shows that it’s undistinguishable from the many NW look-alike clothing stores around here.
Do you really mean NW clothing stores? Or maybe just Bellevue Square clothing stores. Bellevue is larger than Bellevue Square. Maybe other more innovative groovy funky retailers can find some space outside the Kemper Triangle of influence. Lots of buildings are going up around town, in case ya havent noticed.
Nau is progressive, urban and sexy. The fit on the clothing is amazing! I usually have a hard time finding shirts with long enough sleeves and torso, but their shirts fit me great.
For those skeptics out there, you should really begin to think about where the clothes on your body come from…. Nau is taking that extra step to ensure that their business is not having adverse effects on the rest of the world. Environmental sensitivity. Humanitarian business model. Long lasting sustainable clothing versus fad-fabulous pieces that last a season or two. But I can understand how this concept can be hard to understand for the simple minded.
If you call Nau urban and sexy then you’re the simple minded one, who lacks any sense of taste, style and/or class.
Ok, I don’t think this blog was meant for people to take stabs at each other. Let’s be civil here. It was to boost awareness of a new company- a company that I believe will do very well. Give them some time and a few seasons. If you actually knew the backgroud of some of the people that started Nau, I don’t think you’d be saying what your saying. Minds like that give it “staying power”.