About Us
The
Idea
TomFoolery started with the simple idea of creating rompers that allow women to use the ladies room without sitting on a drafty stall, clutching their naked chest with a jumpsuit around their ankles while frantically tracking passers by in the crack next to the door. The solution was this: the drop seat jumpsuit.
The
Effort
We believe in doing things the right way.
We believe in creating functional comfort and using recycled and responsible materials.
We believe in transparency, integrity, and taking care of both the people who make the clothes and the people who wear them.
Basically, we believe in not being assholes.
The
Designer
My name is Shannon Punchard and I sew. I was born and raised in Southern California too curious for my own good with the heart of a vagabond and a brain filled with movie quotes. My favorite color is yellow and I will make pancakes for anyone who asks. A neighbor taught me how to sew when I was a girl. I started waking up early to make myself an outfit to wear to school and even made a few prom dresses for friends in high school. I make clothes for the same reason I drink whiskey and never wear shoes- it makes me happy. I started TomFoolery to create problem-solving designs and to make people’s lives better. I chose jumpsuits because I truly believe they are the perfect manifestation of the energy and adventure of a tomboy packaged as a classy lady.
The
Sustainability
We produce ethically in small batches using materials that are easy on the environment. Our core textiles include eucalyptus tencel, organic cotton, linen, and regenerated cotton. Most items are handmade by yours truly but when a design takes off we move to small scale manufacturing. Our current manufacturing partner is Groceries Apparel based in Los Angeles. They use vegetable dyes and pay their employees a living wage. We also work with Everybody.World to make our Foolery tees, another LA based manufacturing company that is woman owned and uses 100% regenerated cotton to make their garments.
The
Elimu Partnership
TomFoolery started a partnership with Elimu Girls in Kenya in 2019 offering girls the opportunity for independence through starting their own business. Each student spends two years studying the techniques of garment making and upon graduation is given their own machine. Many of these female students have been subjected to horrific abuse and are otherwise not given an opportunity to live independently or earn money. Cultivating the skill of sewing and being able to make money gives them the opportunity to live their own lives, choose their own spouses, and create the family they want. TomFoolery donates a percentage of our proceeds to their tuition bills.
The
End Game
Our vision is a completely closed loop system from fabric mill to final garment, everything is made in one place keeping all the jobs in one area and limiting carbon emissions. Our dream is to start a social enterprise for female artisans so that the women we employee also hold stock in the business.