Nat Lam founder Natalie Lam always dreamt of a career in fashion—but it didn’t exactly go as planned: After spending five years designing for a fast-fashion brand that you’ve definitely seen in the mall, Lam was left feeling unfulfilled and conflicted with the industry at large. “I witnessed first-hand the devastating implications,” she says, which inspired her to quit just two weeks before the pandemic hit. “It was the perfect time to reevaluate my connection with fashion and rediscover what I truly loved about it.”

She launched the first iteration of Nat Lam in 2020 with one-of-a-kind, made-to-order upcycled tops with whimsical details like corset-closures and adjustable tie straps made from recycled string. “I asked friends and family to send me garments that they planned to dispose of due to wear and tear,” she says, focusing specifically on items that were heavily damaged. Now, Lam uses natural deadstock fibers that would otherwise be disposed of despite being in great shape. “They’re the most earth friendly in terms of washing and longevity,” she says.

One thing that’s remained true since the onset of Nat Lam: In addition to pricing each item at cost—meaning the only profit she takes is her very reasonable hourly wage—Lam is true to her main pillar of sustainability. “Ultimately, I want to make garments that will live in my customers’ closets for years and can be passed down for years after.” To her, that means crafting versatile, well-made pieces that offer adjustability in sizing that’s inevitable over the course of a lifetime.

“Each garment feels like a love letter to the world and to the women who inspire my pieces.”