Totemism

TOTEMISM is a fashion label founded by Rita Trömböczky and Johnny H. Nguyen on the belief that we are what we wear. We should care about what we put on our bodies. There's a symbiosis between us and the pieces we love most, feel most comfortable in, and wear so often, they become a second skin. They help us tell the story of who we are, and they have stories of their own – what they're made of, how they're made, who made them, and under what conditions. TOTEMISM is multicultural. Living nomadically between Budapest, Los Angeles, and Hanoi, we make clothing, jewelry, and accessories inspired by the diverse myriad of culture and tradition we experience on our sojourns around the world. The distinct textures, landscapes, and ethos of Hungary, California, Vietnam, and every stop in between inform our aesthetic and serve as the palette for our designs. TOTEMISM is raw luxe. It starts with our meticulously selected natural materials. Wherever we are, we’re always hunting in and around fabric markets for the finest linen and silk. Our jewelry is made by combining 925 sterling silver with totemic organic matter we forage like bone, stone, crystal, and wood. Then we partner with local artisans – skilled seamstresses, tailors, and silversmiths – to make each piece by hand, preserving as much of the materials’ essence as possible, with longevity in mind. TOTEMISM is committed to fair trade. We work hand in hand with our partners to uphold fair trading practices such as providing them living wages and safe working environments. We promote transparency, accountability, gender equity, economic empowerment for marginalized groups, freedom of association, and sustainability – social, economic, and environmental.