Foreign Tongues is a saucy lifestyle brand for people who take joy seriously. We design statement jumpsuits, patches, and mending kits–inspired by pattern play on our travels and the concept that clothing is not disposable, it is a creative form of self-expression. 
We move at the pace of a long lunch in Milan and the energy of a late-night discothèque. Our curated collection stays deliberately small. Every piece is designed with joie de vivre and a wink.

On a road trip to Tangier, somewhere between the mountains and a particularly good French disco beat, Filipina-American & Swedish creative duo Adette C. Contreras & Måns Swanberg had a thought: a jumpsuit-focused apparel brand… and band! Just a Swedipino (Scandinasian?) couple in a foreign country, marveling at the scenery and an idea.

One thing led to another, and Foreign Tongues was created–one audaciously-printed, generously-pocketed, loosely-fitted one-piece at a time.

We design in a walk-up in Brooklyn, in the valley of the Hudson River, on an island in Sweden–wherever these fair winds take us.

What stays constant is the craft. Drops are designed purposefully in small batches, partnering with trusted makers and friends.  Textiles are produced and printed in Italy, where centuries of textile tradition meet world-class attention to color and pattern. From there, every piece is cut and sewn at our friend's atelier in Manhattan's Garment District. And from NYC to you. 

*Footnote Moment: Stay tuned for tales of our creative collaborators, inspiring co-conspirators, and fellow magic-weavers.  It truly does take a village. Thank you 🙏🏽

Not-So-Frequently Asked Questions

  • One and done.  One jumpsuit and one print keeps things simple.  It allows us to keep waste to a minimum and also fully immerse ourselves in the color story–the feeling it evokes, the vibe.  Since we're treating the jumpsuit as a canvas, we decided to devote ourselves to natural fibers because clothing is a second skin.  We are committed to 100% cotton, 100% linen, and 100% raw silk for our signature tags.

  • As ceramic aficionados and users of plates, we were inspired by the Japanese concept of kintsugi.  Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery with gold–which then highlights the cracks and celebrates its history.  Instead of covering up the damage (or worse, trashing the whole thing!), kintsugi asks us to accept change and imperfection.  And maybe find more beauty in an object that's served you well.

    ​All of our products are made with this philosophy in mind.  Our jumpsuit tags (a la library cards) allow space to commemorate each personalized addition.  Our patches are 100% natural fibers (no polyester or nylon here!), and our mending kits are one-of-a-kind repurposed vintage etui. 

    ​As a signature touch, our raw silk tags are a pop of gold–to remind you that it's meant to be worn.

  • Who knows!  But we're doing it anyway.  We believe that humans innately seek happiness and beauty, and that–if we try–we can find these in mundane, seemingly small, moments.  We can weave magic with our very hands–even before all the tech sorcery.  It's all about interconnections, man, and the most powerful beauty is optimistic and confident.  So... why not?

  • We’re learning as we go. We’re designing more mending products as we speak, including how-to guides and more beginner-friendly kits. We’re also organizing mending-themed get-togethers, so email us to get on the guest list: youarehere@foreigntongues.com.

  • Sure is. Swedes are known for music; Filipinos are famous for karaoke. It’s inevitable. So stay tuned.

  • It’s a mystery. We have purposefully decided not to adhere to traditional fashion cycles, so sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about the next drop.