Not content to don just any old thing, Inka Linn Rein Jungwirth creates her very own wearable art.

“As a woman I like to feel good in my clothes,” she said. “It means I can design things I like to wear that maybe don’t exist anywhere else.”

Jungwirth is a Port Townsend tailor who brings European flare to her profession. She recently launched a clothing line, Inka Linn, and said it is fulfilling to see her clothing worn by others out on the street.

“It is wonderful because it is also very functional. It is my craft, it is my art, But I do appreciate the fact that somebody goes and uses this in their day to day life.”

Jungwirth puts intention into her clothing, she said, especially wedding garments.

“You kind of think good thoughts for their wedding and their life together. That is a nice feeling when you realize you are having an impact on someone’s day-to-day wardrobe and their day-to-day life, especially if it fits on their body and is more flattering.”

Jungwirth said she enjoys helping her customers feel better in their own skin.

Her first collection is based on a sailing foray near Greenland.

“Mostly, it is taking inspiration from the colors and textures of icebergs and glaciers,” she said.

Jungwirth’s clothing is not only for area residents, she said, adding she hopes to expand to national or global customers.

“I am looking to have clothes that are for men, women and various ages and styles too. What I would like to do is make organic clothing more normal.”

Jungwirth said she does not necessarily want to make run-of-the-mill clothing.

“But, I don’t necessarily want to go way out and be really wild so only a couple of people wear it either.”

In the future, Jungwirth may have collections that boast more of a designer element.

“Right now there is a little bit of a streetwear element to it,” she said. “A little casual funky, but also with some cool style. I am definitely planning to branch out from that.”

Sourced from renewable materials

Jungwirth has been planning her clothing line for years, she said, and incorporates a spirit of nurturing nature with every stitch she sews.

“I would say the key elements of it are that it has to be all organic so it is ethical and sustainable, but that it is stylish and fashionable. When I look at other brands, there are not very many clothing designers that have both those worlds.”

Jungwirth said she has observed clothing that could be interesting to wear made out of synthetic materials and totally forgettable clothing from organic sources.

“They are so simple and boring that I would never wear them.”

She wants to change that perception with her clothing, she said.

In other words, people can be highly fashionable with a clear conscience.

“I don’t want to start putting something new into the world unless I feel morally good about it. It is exciting and I love to make clothes and I love to come up with new designs, but I can’t justify doing that without it being sustainable.”

Currently, Jungwirth is searching for a supplier of organic hemp and linen materials, but has had no luck finding a source in the United States and may be forced to import from Europe, she said.

“They are trying to reinstate the linen industry, organically. I think maybe in the next three years we are going to see more of a movement toward that with hemp being legalized.”

It will take time because there is no domestic infrastructure in place at this time for the organic fiber production of hemp and linen cloth, she said.

One option would be to purchase a loom and weave hemp textiles herself, but that would be a huge investment of both money and time.

“I am not looking to weave all the fibers myself, but my goal and my hope is that down the line we will have a domestic organic fiber industry so that we can be, as a country, self sufficient,” she said. “It might take a little time, but it is an interesting evolution.”

It is clear Jungwirth is making waves in the textile community, said customer Joyce Gustafson, 64, of Port Townsend.

“She has a remarkable blend of artistic talent and great work ethic and business savvy. What appeals to me about that is that she has such an appreciation for textiles and fabrics and has a great eye for combining accessories with different layers of textiles. She is just a really great artist visually.”

Honing her craft

Jungwirth began her artistic studies at Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland, which is closing this month after a 112-year history.

“I thought it was really modern focused and I was missing some more traditional craft, so I started going to a folk school in Norway to study traditional sailing for a couple of years.”

Jungwirth said she felt very outdoorsy and masculine.

“I am kind of a tomboy sometimes. it was great, but I also started to feel like my character was getting a little one-sided.”

So, Jungwirth began learning about Norwegian folk textiles.

“That was a lot of traditional very hand-based techniques,” she said.

At that point, having spent so much time building a foundation in traditional craft, she began to miss exploration of more modern art and decided to transfer to the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland.

“I did an exchange program there first and I just felt like my foundation in traditional craft gave me a lot of skills and quality handcraft techniques I could then mix with more conceptual modern ideas,” Jungwirth said.

After graduation, she eventually made her way to Port Townsend where she is able to blend the Old and New Worlds.

“I think what I bring to the table is something that isn’t super common in America,” she said. “I mean, there is quality craft legacy here, but I think if you really want a strong quality legacy there is a lot to offer in Europe.”

Her style mixes with American culture because people need these skills and not a lot of people have them, she said.

“What I do now isn’t necessarily Norwegian or Irish or anything. It is sewing and tailoring and a craft that people need. It is tailored towards each garment.”

Jungwirth said she sews for strength, but can add flare if desired.

Much of that elegance is Norwegian inspired, she said.

“That is very much an element with my clothing line that is bringing in many of those elements. I think, especially in this area, you have that blending of Norwegian and American culture.”

Empowered

For those who may equate sewing with the domestication of a homemaker, Jungwirth said she feels quite liberated by her profession.

“Maybe some people feel sewing is something that oppresses women. I take a lot of pride in it, especially today if there are very few people who know how to sew.”

The art is enjoying a modern resurgence since the skill is so essential and applicable to independent living, Jungwirth said.

“I think it is really empowering and freeing to be able to make and repair my own clothes. To me that is super liberating.”