Some clothes are made to be worn. Others are made to be lived in. For Abby Farr, the difference begins with how a piece moves, feels and fits into everyday life.
“When I design, I’m thinking about how it will actually function for the person wearing it,” she explains. “It flows, is easy to care for and the luxurious softness makes the wearer feel good.”
That philosophy is at the heart of Tillage Clothing, her thoughtfully designed line that blends elevated style with everyday comfort, all while quietly carrying a deeper purpose. Abby, a Cincinnati native, has built more than a brand. Through Tillage, she’s created something both practical and personal, where intentional design meets a meaningful mission.
The dream began years ago in Southern California. Working as a nanny, Abby found herself frustrated by clothing that didn’t quite fit her lifestyle—too tight, too restrictive, lacking function.
Living near the ocean, she began imagining something different.
“You could say the ocean helped inspire the design,” she says.
What emerged became the foundation of Tillage: elevated athleisure designed for movement, comfort and everyday life. Her signature pieces, especially the cozy camper pants, are known for their buttery-soft feel, deep pockets and relaxed non-compression fit.
However, comfort was only one part of the vision. Abby had been drawn to fashion, not for its trends, but for its transformation. Taking the artistry of high fashion and reshaping them into something people could actually live in.
The name Tillage arrived just as organically. While home in Cincinnati one Christmas, Abby found herself flipping through a collection of Ralph Waldo Emerson essays that had belonged to her mother. One line about “tilling the land” caught her attention. And it stayed with her.
“It felt like more than just a name,” Abby explains. “It captured the idea of cultivating something meaningful, from the way each piece is made to the greater purpose behind it.”
That sense of purpose had already been growing in her life for years. Since her mid-twenties, Abby has felt a deep pull toward fighting human trafficking, a cause that would later shape the direction of her business.
“Learning about these girls broke my heart,” she recalls. “I have never been able to let the issue go.”
That conviction eventually became the foundation of Tillage’s mission: To lead the movement against human trafficking in the U.S. by creating comfortable, ethically-sourced apparel... because consumers deserve to know how their clothes are made and have the opportunity to help make a difference whenever they shop.
Today, every Tillage purchase gives back to organizations working directly with survivors, helping women move from crisis into safe, restorative environments where they can begin again. The mission also shapes how each piece is made, with fabrics thoughtfully sourced and garments sewn in the United States to ensure fair wages and ethical conditions.
“It holds me accountable to who is sewing the clothes, and how things are sourced,” Abby notes.
Still, it’s at her pop-ups where the brand truly comes to life.
“They make me feel like an old-fashioned tentmaker who would set up shop where the people are,” she says with her easy laugh.
Abby’s schedule is full this fall. And centered around in-person moments that often turn meaningful.
“I love cultivating authentic conversations where barriers are broken down,” she shares with sincerity and conviction.
Sometimes, those conversations come full circle. At a recent event, a customer revealed she was a survivor of trafficking, connected to the very organization Tillage supports.
Now as Tillage approaches its 10-year anniversary, the brand continues to evolve...slowly and intentionally. A recently launched hoodie line (made in Ohio) has already become a fan favorite. And Abby is looking ahead to future designs, including a wide-leg pant planned for next spring. She also hopes to expand into new cities, increase sustainable sourcing and raise the percentage each purchase gives back, currently at five percent with plans to reach ten.
Her long-term vision is clear.
“I really want to be known as having the best travel clothes ever,” she says.
Clothing that moves, adapts and endures, just like the people who wear it. Clothing designed to feel good. And to do good.
TillageClothing.com | Facebook.com/TillageClothing | @TillageClothing
Find Tillage Clothing at these upcoming events:
SEPTEMBER
6 Aruna Run Expo, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Madtree, Oakley
7-12 Arabian Nationals, World Equestrian Center, Wilmington
12 The OFF Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Summit Park, Blue Ash
19 City Flea, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine
26 Hyde Park Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Hyde Park
26 Wearable Art Fashion Show, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., ADC Art Gallery, Downtown Cincinnati
OCTOBER
3 Wyoming Fall Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m,. Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming
10 Fall Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Factory 52, Norwood
17 City Flea, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine
24 Hyde Park Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Hyde Park
NOVEMBER
5 Girls Night Sip 'n Shop, 6-9pm, ADC Art Gallery, Cincinnati
14 The Beauty Boost Yoga Fitness Sampler, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Spooky Nook, Hamilton
15 Art on Vine, 12-6 p.m., Rhinegeist Brewery, Cincinnati
20-22 Cincinnati Holiday Market, Cincinnati Convention Center, Downtown Cincinnati
DECEMBER
6 Art on Vine, 12-6 p.m., Rhinegeist Brewery, Cincinnati
20 Art on Vine, 12-6 p.m., Rhinegeist Brewery, Cincinnati
“THE BRAND IS A JOURNEY, INVITING CONSCIENTIOUS CONSUMERS TO BE A PART OF A MISSION GREATER THAN THEMSELVES. WE’RE ABOUT STORIES, CONNECTION + COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS WE ARE ABOUT ADVENTURE + TRAVEL.” -Abby Farr, Tillage Clothing