Q&A Te a Ti m e Emily Meyer and Leigh Rawdon, co-founders of the globally-inspired Tea Collection, discuss the brand’s design DNA, retail community building skills and their commitment to sustainability—all part of their ongoing efforts to clothe “little citizens of the world.” BY EMILY BECKMAN IT ALL BEGAN in 2002 with three Pima cotton sweaters and a vision of fusing worldwide culture and modern design into children’s clothing. From the art of traditional Korean patchwork to the graphic boldness of Brazilian street graffiti, Emily Meyer and Leigh Rawdon have used their travel experiences to inspire original, modern and consummately wearable children’s apparel from newborn to 12 years. In fact, it was the mutual passion for travel that originally brought the duo together while their now-husbands attended graduate school together. “It was that commonality—that one vision we both had,” Meyer says, reminiscing over the times she would spend hours chitchatting with Rawdon at social events. But why a childrenswear company? “The category aligns with our brand DNA,” Meyer explains. “At the time when you’re buying children’s clothes, you’re in a really open-minded place, a soul-searching place of thinking through what matters to you—what type of child you want to bring up as a citizen of this world.” Appropriately, Tea Collection’s slogan is: “For little citizens of the world.” “Tea was built to inspire global curiosity and connection for people, even when they aren’t traveling themselves,” Rawdon says. “It’s beneficial to have that mindset.” The name of the company actually came to mind as tea is a drink shared across all cultures. “It can be a ceremony in Japanese culture, a pastime in Morocco or even a formal mealtime in the U.K.,” Meyer says. “It’s still the same drink—perhaps with different flavors, spices or nuances—but for all those cultures,
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it evokes warmth, wisdom and a time of connection.” Although Tea Collection’s early years consisted of just Pima cotton sweaters, the fact that those styles were a toss-up between practical clothing and a nice gift item positioned the brand well for product expansion in the years since. “We were able to make quality products and get the right values for them,” Meyer says. “We started with sweaters and sweater blankets, and then by the next season we were out there with printed knits.” A few seasons later, Tea Collection introduced its first woven program, including a collection of sundresses, shorts and camp shirts. “We did that all domestically, which was a lot of work,” Meyer says. (The company has since moved manufacturing overseas as it grew into a full collection.) The most explosive growth phase for Tea Collection came when it introduced its red label, Daily