Soon the sun set off in the distance and the twinkling string lights beckoned guests to find their seats for dinner. A gorgeous long wooden table dressed in bouquets of wildflowers set the scene for a delicious, family-style meal. First to arrive was beet hummus topped with pistachios and paired with a crudité of fresh vegetables picked from the farm. For the main course, guests enjoyed grilled zucchini with ricotta cheese and creamy pesto pasta. Before dessert was served, Moda Operandi’s April Hennig rose to say a few words.
“Not only is Aisling a master of knitwear who hand-knits her pieces with incredible craftsmanship and unique techniques,” Hennig began. “But she also has her own commitment to sustainability. The magic she’s created for this love-filled project with Mama Farm has been humbling to watch, and I’m so proud Moda Operandi could be a part of the journey.”
Dressed in a two-piece set from her own collection, Camp reflected on the process. “This collection is super personal. It’s special because we were working with the fiber from its very inception, getting to know the sheep whose wool made the garments, and learning about the importance of sharing and the different heritage breed,” Camp explained. “We also wanted to maintain the textures and not lose those qualities in overly processed or refined versions, which you typically get with yarn. Why mess with something that’s already perfect?”
And that’s exactly how the evening felt, purposely perfect. A night dedicated to the Brookhaven farm turned fashion design lab with the community (and sheep!) that built a couture-level knitwear collection worn by the guests in attendance. On that note, a friend of Mama Farm and founder of Hildegaard Botanicals, Lia Chavez, presented everyone with a facial oil as a takehome. The medicinal formula was made from plants on the farm, another byproduct of Mama Farm’s magic.
“Elettra came to Moda because she knew we’d appreciate Mama Farm’s admirable mission with regards to local production and the preservation of biodiversity—and best understand how to tell that story to a luxury consumer,” Santo Domingo smiled. “You’ve heard about farm to table—farm to fashion is what’s next.”
