Darta Kaleja and Ingrida Araja are a powerful mother-daughter duo and founders of PIXIE Won’t Play. Although they share a bond (as mothers and daughters do), their differing styles, experiences, personalities, and knowledge collide, which ultimately enhances their creativity.
The idea of a woman’s clothing brand was born in the mind of Ingrid while she was sitting in the backseat of a touring motorcycle traveling around Europe for more than three weeks. “Anyone who has traveled on a motorcycle knows that the trunk holds less than a regular backpack would. A modern woman desires to look good wherever she happens to be. She needs a wardrobe she can count on for quality, versatility, and expressiveness,” she says.
One of the cleverest names for a clothing line, PIXIE Won’t Play entails multiple meanings. “Women that choose to wear a PIXIE cut are always very chic and outspoken, combining masculine and feminine characteristics, implementing true femininity through it,” they explain. “At the same time PIXIE is a mythical creature; she’s a fairy, a sprite, and attractively childlike. And let’s not forget the wonder of pixie dust. All of this makes her into an independent, modern, and powerful woman. This evolved into Won’t Play; her transparency and genuineness towards life and people states her mindset. She simply won’t play along any kind of known social behavioral patterns. She goes, sees, and acts beyond them.”
The women of PIXIE describe their clothing as having quality, versatility, and expressiveness. “Comfort and quality always need to meet dead center,” they explain. To reach this goal, they place high value on collaboration. They currently have a staff of three, which includes head designer Liga Banga, who is working on something new. “Liga’s new collection will be her first under [the] PIXIE Won’t Play flag.” The PIXIE team work closely with many artisans, craftsman, and industry professionals as an outsource. “Collaboration between us is very simple. We trust and respect each other. Each of us are responsible for a particular sector and, if not, are asked [to] help; we give full freedom to act.”
PIXIE Won’t Play is currently working on their new collection. “We’re full speed on the new collection that will be ready by the end of October. After that, we’re planning to create a small capsule collection for men, Won’t Play x Him, as well as expand our swimwear and lingerie line.”
PIXIE also has a strong belief in and a focus on sustainability. “Sustainability is our longitudinal project: we manifest good work ethics, with no third county labor involved, supporting local manufactures.” PIXIE’s focus on sustainability also includes developing fully recyclable packaging, and it’s their deepest dream to use only recycled or eco-friendly fabrics. “We work with dead stock, and are working on a sustainability project. [We are] testing with eco-friendly dyes and [are] always looking for new recycled green fabrics. Most of the new collection will be made from two eco-friendly fabrics: linen (100% organic fabric) and cupro (a fabric of regenerated cellulose fibers from recycled cotton linter).
For more information visit www.pixiewontplay.com.
