So WTF is FT now?

It's a vibe!  Foreign Tongues is a saucy lifestyle brand that uplifts the creative spirit and upholds the pursuit of joy–the common thread that connects us as humans.

Inspired by pattern play on our travels, we design statement jumpsuits, patches, and mending kits, all while bumpin’ to a discothèque soundtrack.

Our products and services are infused with a sense of joie de vivre and a deep respect for the planet.

Who's behind the camera?

A village.*  And a couple of Swedipinos... Scandinasians, if you will!  Brooklyn-based Filipina-American & Swedish creative duo Adette C. Contreras & Måns Swanberg dreamed up this jumpsuit-focused apparel brand (and band!) on a roadtrip, singing along loudly to some French disco.  One thing led to another, and Foreign Tongues launches into the world–one audaciously-printed, generously-pocketed, loosely-fitted one-piece at a time.

Where are you based?

We're aiming for a zero-inventory model, so we're making drops in small batches to start.  Textiles are produced and printed by trusted connections in Italy (and India soon!), and everything is made in New York City, at our friend's atelier in Manhattan's Garment District.  We design in a walk-up in Brooklyn, upstate in Kingston, on an island  in Sweden–wherever these fair winds take us.

*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.  One print at a time allows us, not only to keep waste to a minimum, but also to 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.  So, we are committed to 100% cotton, 100% linen, and 100% raw silk for our signature tags.

    Inspired by pattern play on our travels, we design statement jumpsuits, patches, and mending kits, all while bumpin’ to a discothèque soundtrack.

    ​

    Our products and services are infused with a sense of joie de vivre and a deep respect for the planet.

  • 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?

  • This is just the beginning.  Soundcheck Season is fully underway, and we're gearing up for our second drop this spring: Amuse-Bouche!