WE FIRST MET Jennifer Wilkerson of Brosgé when she came to talk to us about whether our factory might be of help to her on the development side of things. As you’ll learn below, Jennifer cuts and sews every Brosgé garment herself, and we loved what she’s doing enough that we wanted to sell her clothes in our shops. It turns out you also love what she’s doing! Her Studio Pants in particular are perennially popular with customers of every age and gender, both in linen for summer and wool for winter. And we love her ethos as well—
How and when did you decide to start Brosgé Clothing, and how do you define the focus of it?
I started Brosgé the Spring of 2023, six months after abruptly quitting my corporate job. Those months between I spent my time painting, sewing and daydreaming about my next chapter. Over lunch one day, an entrepreneurial friend suggested I turn my love of sustainable textiles to use — designing and selling the clothes I know and love.
I make eco-friendly clothing that fits and feels good. My sizes are what I lovingly call expansive — they start at a women’s large (men’s medium) and go up. Everything is handmade by me in Schenectady from linen, hemp and deadstock or vintage fabrics.
Where did the name come from?
Brosgé (“bro-jay”) is named in honor of my maternal grandmother, one of four strikingly independent sisters descended from skilled German silk workers.
Do you make everything yourself?
Every Brosgé item has been designed, cut, sewn and labeled by me. (My furry workmate is decidedly non-helpful.) I’ve tested some production sewists, but haven’t found the right fit. ... So let it be known that I’m looking!
What is your approach to sourcing fabrics for your designs?
I am committed to using fabrics that are environmentally friendly. (The world is overrun with artificial fibers that will persist in landfills for eternity.) Because I work primarily with linen and hemp, I rely on international manufacturers. I spent 2024 building a network of suppliers in Canada, England, Korea and China. But 2025’s tariff situation has created chaos. Prices are rising and I can’t know the exact price until the fabric arrives in the US and the tariffs are assessed. I’m not alone in struggling with this, the American supplier I regularly buy from has raised the price of the heavy linen for Studio Pants and Studio Aprons by 158% since 2023.
As an aside, I want Brosgé clothing to be easy to care for. What good are natural fibers if you have to dry clean or iron them? Every item I sell has been machine-washed and dried on gentle/cool. Of course all clothes will last longer with a hand wash and hang dry but the reality is that most people don't have the time and space to make that happen.
I also think we should embrace wrinkles. However, if a wrinkle is persistent or offensive I generally find that a little spritz of water and a gentle diagonal pull usually removes it.
Introducing vintage textiles has been fun, but has its own challenges. I love the search, but end up spending time removing age stains. ... And there was that time I bought a bolt of gorgeous vintage wool only to find moth holes throughout.
Have you always been in Upstate New York?
Depending how you define upstate, I’ve lived my whole life there — Yonkers, Katonah, Syracuse, Brewster, Cold Spring and, finally, Niskayuna.
What’s the hardest thing you’re trying to do?
I would like to offer a new style every calendar year. But the reality of juggling wholesale orders, consignment requests, and stocking my website and pop up shows is really hard. It keeps me in production mode and makes it difficult to shift gears and work on creative endeavors.
What brings you the most excitement or sense of achievement?
Every single time a customer tries on a garment — and it works for them — it makes my heart sing. I recently worked in trade with another creative. I offered her a pair of pants. She said “you won‘t have anything that fits me.” I asked her to give them a try. She was so chuffed because they were perfect.
What do you wish more people knew about your brand?
All of my designs are based on clothing I love and wear regularly. But that doesn‘t mean they are just for women. (Or just for old white women!) As MXH has proven, men LOVE Studio Pants. And they look so good in Gallery Dresses and Studio Aprons.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself and/or the business along the way, and where do you see Brosgé going — what's next for you and the brand?
With no formal training in fashion, everything I do has been learned by the seat of my pants. But by not being afraid to ask questions and make mistakes I’m figuring it out. It is a journey.
I’m currently working on a collaborative project with four local artists creating ten Artist Aprons that we will be exhibiting in Albany in October. I invite you to follow me on Instagram for announcements.
Thank you so much, Jennifer!
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[ Photo of Jennifer Wilkerson by Sarah Beck, used with permission ]
