So, why do I do this?
The easy answer is that it’s just what I do. It really energizes me. There isn’t anything else I can imagine doing.
The harder answer, the real one, has been unfolding for the past fourteen years. I do this because it has become my job.
It’s my job to help (re-) awaken a sense of wonder in people — a sense of wonder at how good it feels to be having fun, to be proud, stand tall, walk with purpose, and be seen. Because one cannot help but be seen in one of my creations.
To be seen in the sense that you are no longer anonymous. Accountability and responsibility are truly how you show the world that you walk your talk.
That intention is everything to me: joy and strength are to be shared.
In creating these garments, I feel strong and joyful. My sense of wonder is unleashed, fulfilled and rejuvenated, again and again
I hope you will feel strong and joyful wearing one of my creations.
Roz
About Rozwear
I design (what I hope are) feminine, comfortable, easy to wear and maintain “island lifestyle friendly clothing”, for the Pacific Northwest environment.
This means shapes will skim the body, without clinging, cutting off circulation or otherwise making you squirm from discomfort. I try to make them look good, move flirtatiously, and have a bit of personality or spunk (without making you look or feel too conspicuous).
My designs have what has been described as a classic look, with what I like to call a funky twist. They are quirky, one of a kind, extremely well-made, but not too trendy. From time to time you may even get a little “attitude” thrown in for good measure.
I am taller than average with broad shoulders, a large bosom, narrow hips, long arms, and an athletic build — somewhere along the way I have lost my waistline. My designs and sizing reflect these attributes.
I like to be comfy, look unlike the rest of the herd, and walk with confidence, knowing that I express something unique. I hope you will feel the same while wearing my creations.
History
Rozwear came into being in the late winter and early spring of 1991, as the creative outlet for fiber-artist Roz Van Maren. In the beginning, the focus was on outerwear made from Malden Mills Polar Tech fabrics, and for the first five years Rozwear was only available at the co-operative art gallery “Artworks” on Orcas Island, WA. The first retail shop/working studio opened on Prune Alley, in Eastsound, where more room allowed for expanded designs. The next few years brought steady growth and several location changes within the magic setting of Orcas Island. The current location at 76 Gleneden Lane houses an expanded offering of casual yet elegant clothing and the enhanced custom wardrobe design services. Much has changed over the last 16 years, but the commitment to high-quality fabrics, superior craftsmanship, and customer service continue to be hallmarks of Rozwear creations.