Victoria Everman

While shopping for my new apartment in Philadelphia (yup, I’m heading back to the East Coast!), I met the lovely sisters who started Ortolan. Based in New York City, Ortolan was started earlier this year by Bethany and Jenny Mallett after the left their family’s small farm in Ohio. In development for a few years, Ortolan launched its first series of 100% organic cotton home goods (including pillows, blankets, napkins and tea towels) featuring nautical prints in January 2008.

In just the short time since its release, Ortolan has garnered some amazing press, including New York Magazine, Plenty Magazine, Daily Candy, Food & Wine Magazine, Domino Magazine and MSNBC. The release of Ortolan’s next two collections is less than a month away (September 15th) and I have a treat for you!

Not only did Bethany and Jenny offer to answer a few questions about their company, they also granted Victoria-E.com the exclusive right to be the first media outlet to showcase their new Tarot and Paisley collections! Read on for the exclusive interview AND images. Check out Ortolan’s website for shops that sell their line, including limited-edition items in their own Etsy storefront.

Victoria Everman: Where does the name “ortolan” come from?

Jenny Mallet: The name comes from a small French bunting. In France, it is considered a royal delicacy. Here is a link to the process of eating the small bird - it’s a bit disturbing, but fascinating.

[The Tarot series was a product of our deep interest in the tarot. It is an ongoing series that we will continue to add to. We’ve extracted certain symbols and elements from the deck that have some significance or that inspired us. The pomegranate print grew from the pomegranates that often appear on cards like the High Priestess and the Empress. Pomegranates represent abundance and fertility, and are strongly feminine symbols. - Jenna Mallet; shown here: pomegranate pillow and pentagram pillow]

 How does Ortolan stay actively involved in the growing eco-community?

We try to remain as active as possible in the eco-community by attending a range of green events and networking with our fellow greenies. We love to participate in any green event and donate often to green auctions for different high schools and charities. There are so many wonderful organizations out there planning green projects and events - The Envirolution is a great one that we have had success working with. Some other ways we are actively green include being Co-op America approved, buying carbon offsets, only working with companies that have organic certifications for their fabrics, and trying to buy materials grown and milled in the USA. We like to keep it local.

[We love the sun and moon napkins too. The moon card deals with different cycles, time, psychic power, reflection, and emerging from one phase into another. The sun is a symbol of growth, energy, and creativity. There is so much to the Tarot; it continues to fascinate us. - Jenna Mallet; shown here: sun napkin and tulip tea towel]

Did growing up on a small farm in Ohio help to cement your plans for starting a green company?

Absolutely. Although, growing up, it was a given that everything was naturally grown and organic. We didn’t even have to think about it. Our mother taught us the fundamentals of a self-sustaining lifestyle. From composting to canning produce from the farm, she covered all the bases. My father raised free range poultry and small livestock without ever using hormones or synthetic chemicals. We didn’t even realize there was any other way. Bethany and I have certainly carried these core values and knowledge to New York with us. Building a green company made perfect sense to us.

[The Paisley Series was inspired by some vintage paisley fabric we had. I started by illustrating animals in paisley designs and we fell in love with them! - Jenna Mallet; shown here: thistle pillow & swan pillow]

What do you say to people who still think global warming is a myth?

I can’t even believe that there still remains people who don’t take global warming seriously. I would say to them that climate change and global warming are irreversible damages being done at an alarming rate to our delicate planet. The growing severity is displayed right in front of our own eyes with natural disasters being more catastrophic and more frequent. For us, to ignore such a monumental problem is simply careless.

[Ferns, feathers, and scallops make up most of the [paisley] series. We wanted to keep the paisley neutral in color; simple and feminine with the patterns. - Jenna Mallet; shown here: birds and flowers pillow & berry napkin]

Do you have any other nifty, secret projects in the works that you could hint at?

Yes, I am currently working on a side project. I’m making a polar bear tote bag. I’m printing one of my illustrations on an organic cotton tote and proceeds will go to support and protect the threatened polar bear from the damages of climate change in its natural habitat. The project is in its early stages still, so there is more to come.

[Images courtesy of Ortolan]

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