As a designer, to me the life and soul of a design is the fabric. With my in house label 'Awear... social re-design', I never compromise on fabric. Its is, after all what tells the story of what the garment is about, its that Je ne sais quoi. In my opinion,the cut and style of a design is just the means by which to give life to an artisan textile. 

It’s pure romance knowing its made by hands of a skill that has been passed down for generations. Can you imagine how magical the first woven garments would have been. For me, the magic is still there, especially with Ikat.

There is something soulful about artisan textiles. With hand loomed fabric in particular, I feel connected to the maker of fabric, as his or her hands have worked for hours to make what I wear.

The hand-loom process means that no two lengths are ever the same, crafting this fabric takes time, patience and a unique set of skills, beautiful quality fabrics are made by masters of their trade, It is wearable art!

When we choose to purchase hand-loomed fabrics we not only provide work and a sustainable income for skilled craftspeople, but also ensure that these age-old practices are kept alive. 

The significance of preserving this artisan still is best explained by Nomads, a UK Fair Trade label; 
“Hand loom is a skilled process that is steeped in cultural history, it is an essential part of both the Indian economy and rich heritage. However, this ancient technique is in danger of being surpassed in favour of mechanical techniques and cheap labour.” 

The slow fashion movement, my little label and other passionate textile driven designers will not let this art die, we will champion together to raise awareness of the importance and beauty of the hand-loom textile. And of course, most importantly, the survival of this art will be via advocacy, spreed by customers wearing it.

Here are a few of the hand-loom pieces produced by 'Awear...social re-design' using hand looms created by Moral Fibre....

Love,

Yvie xo

Founder of 'Aware...the social design project'

Dreamer and doer.

 Note: Header photo from Moral Fibre Web Site: https://moralfibre-fabrics.com

Our consumption decisions have the power to redesign the world for the better, I believe this with my whole heart! The whole purpose of 'Aware...the social design project' is to make people "aware" of things, so that better, more socially empowering and ecologically friendly purchase decisions can be made. Here area few words explaining why choosing organic cotton matters.

Cotton is breathable, it will last far more wears in between washing than synthetic fibres. Reducing water usage and your energy bill. The natural fibres of organic cotton are hypo-allergenic, making it the perfect choice for even the most sensitive skin. Basically, organic cotton is the best form of cotton, both for the planet, the growers and the people who wear the clothing.

Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment, with systems in place to replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic pesticides and fertilisers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. And organic cotton is naturally biodegradable. 

Non-organic cotton because it uses harmful synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides, does bad things, it:

• Contaminates the soil, making it more difficult to grow future crops in a natural manner.
• Not only do many of these chemicals remain within the fibres as they find their home with the end consumer. 
• Destroys eco-systems and,
• Poisons farmers and factory workers. According to the World Health Organisation, over 20,000 deaths are reported from pesticide poisoning and over 10,000 farmers die from cancers related to them.

Here are a few of my personal favourite organic cotton options that can be found online:  

Global Mamas, The Swing Dress: This dress/tunic has two smock pockets and sleeves that can be turned up for a chic look. Looks great with tights or jeans under. All Global Mamas garments are made from GOTs certified cotton.

The most recognised certification body of organic cotton is GOTS. A GOTS certified product has been checked, so they can endorse that the product meets world standard best practice in organic cotton production. 

This brand is also World Fair Trade Guaranteed product.  

Hand Woven tailored pants: "The most comfortable tailored high waist pant I have ever worn" (said by every customer whom has purchased this pant). Its probably why its a best seller! Any one who wears dress pants to work, you NEED these pants in your wardrobe!. The producer of this pant use only GOT certified cotton and are endorsed by Fair Trade Australia.  

Sargent Pepper Jacket: A great festival style looking jacket. This jacket updates any outfit into a fun look. This brand is focused on eco dyes and small scale cottage production. 

After reading this you are now a more considered customer, armed with options to make a you a better social design consumer. 

Love,

Yvie xo 

Founder of 'Aware..the social design project'

 #FashRev #slowfashion #GOTS #Organiccotton #awaregirl

***Header image is sourced from: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Media-Centre/Blog/2014/April/From-cotton-fields-to-cutting-floors . The link provides information about the importance of choosing Fair Trade Cotton.  ***

Tsandza Handweaving began in 1979 as a social enterprise providing skills development and an income source to many rural women. They place great focus on personal growth and wellbeing. Through their work, the artisans gain greater self esteem and independence, and a stronger voice within their families and communities.

Currently working with around 60 women both workshop and home based, Tsandza offers a unique opportunity for rural women that allows them to earn whilst they learn. A 6 month training programme is run in-house and on the job by senior & master Artisans who have worked with the business for as many as 30 years. The aim upon completion of their “trainee” programme, is that each new Artisan will have the knowledge, and be proficient across all aspects of production methods and materials ensuring that they are able to continue well after there training has finished. It is very important to the business that those Artisans wishing to develop their skills further have the opportunity to do so.

The entire production process is “by hand” with the use of traditional floor looms and spinning wheels. The use of biodegradable dyes , also enables the group to minimise their environmental impact.

Every single scarf is a result of commitment, teamwork and passion, providing customers with an ethically produced , beautiful quality , fashion accessory.

Things in India are getting worse, even though businesses are generally open. Several long-term staff have decided not to return to work. I don’t blame them at all. Everyone must do whatever they need to feel safe. They're missed though.

One staff member fell sick with a fever. It's a strange day when you're relived that she has typhoid! She's on treatment and recovering. It means the loss of another valued worker.

The loss of key staff has made it tricky to get the work done – But we are ok with it needing to go slow. We are a brand that advocates “slow fashion” after all.

This experience provides an opportunity to share with my customers, the beauty of slow fashion. The most important beautiful element being that safety and the well-being of my workers come first, fashion can wait. Then I can prove that a collection made with quality and in a timeless style, will till be relevant and perhaps even more endearing. Fair Trade fashion like mine is made with care and love.

There is an ever-present concern of the eventuality of a case of Covid being found in a neighbouring property. If that happens everything will be closed until any cell is fully identified and quarantined. Small areas are being shut down every day in the city. Its frightening for my production workers and it breaks my heart.

To deal with a lock-down work is being put into the hands of the tailors as much as is possible, so they can take it home and work if the workroom itself is closed.

I pray that offering employment guided by Fair Trade principles will make life a little more tolerable during this time. The dialogue between the production facility has highlighted that we are so fortunate here in Australia. Now, more than ever, the privilege we have (in comparison to my team in India) is boldly apparent. I am grateful that my little business with the support of my customers can make a difference, especially during this time.

Please pray for my team. 

Love,

Yvie xo

Dreamer and doer of a better world :).

At the end of last year, I sold my home to fulfil my dream of having a business that celebrates artisan, eco and Fair-Trade.

Starting a new business during a pandemic has been, hmmm…..interesting.  Its been a rollercoaster of emotions, while on a learning curve with unprecedented events. I have lost hair and sleep. But I have also gained self-confidence and a stronger conviction to fight for this business.

Like many other businesses, I have suffered the Covid19 unpleasantness. I had no customers for periods during the shutdown. When customers started to come back, I was only allowed to have 2 in my shop at a time. They were welcomed with hand gel and had to move around the shop at 1.5 mtrs from each other. It has been awkward and stressful navigating through this.   

My brick and mortar shop opened its doors during the last three days of Jan, so any monthly comparisons being used for eligibility for Job Keeper and rent relief are based on my February month of sales. February, being my first month of business, people were still getting to know I existed and it was a period when people were already starting to get too scared to go out. I couldn’t even have a business launch party.    

The most stressful part of my covid19 experience thus far has been that the rental relief is still under negotiation, this part has been very disheartening. And like most businesses tethering onto their existence, I am counting on it.

In the month of March, I didn’t sell one clothing item for three weeks!!!  So, I had to take a risk spending money on stock that was more relevant such as tea, facial masks and creating care packages. My goal was to keep relevant and connected to my community. It worked, because at least I was making some sales and getting noticed. As a new business, this was vital to my ongoing survival.

My staff were not eligible for job keeper, so I had to let them go. Thankfully, I am deeply in love with what I do, so working 7 days a week isn’t so bad. Every morning when I open my doors, the products make my heart flutter with joy.

During the days when I sat in isolation in my shop, I did not waste a minute – I spent it learning, designing and planning.  I can now do my own accounting to a higher level, I understand social media better, I have learnt how to build my own web site and I have started a u- tube channel.  

My customers have been AMAZING during this time.  Some of them I now affectionately call my patrons, because without them I don’t think I would still be here. For example, one customer walked in and saying “I got my government money to help the economy, so Yvie help me spend it”.

Now that that the isolation is lifting many of my customers are bringing their friends and family in to visit the shop. It is reassuring knowing that this shop is finding its way into hearts of my community.  It gives me confidence that I am not alone in my fight. I have hope and love on my side, and that is a wonderful and empowering thing.  

I started this business to prove to the world that Fair Trade is a viable business model. You could say, that if I am going to prove it, this would be the best the year to do it in.

There are no regrets and I am optimistic about the future. It might get tough, but so will I.   

The 16^th March is Freedom of Information Day, it is a date dedicated to reflecting on the concept of transparency of information. That every citizen has the right to public information. It comes from the belief that knowledge is power to make informed decisions. This quote sums it all up beautifully "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty." (Madison), and I would like to add; the only guardian to good choices.

Today, this fashion rebel is demanding full transparency of information by ALL fashion labels. If any fashion label claims to be ethical, with-out full transparency, they are, simply not ethical and are guilty of green-washing. Because, the key action of ethical is about being, truthful and defining to the customer what ethical means, and how they are doing it. It’s a verb, not just a word.

If a business is in the pursuit of being ethical, they would be 100% transparent about their policies and practices, particularly the ecological and social costs involved with production. Why? Because they would be so darn proud of it. If they don’t know that information, or do not share it, then they don’t care about it.

My opinion is validated by The Fashion Revolution, an activist group dedicated to exposing the ugly truths of fashion with empirical data. In a recent study, they have highlighted the issue of fashion transparency. Their research involved analysing 200 of the world’s largest fashion retailers, it found that:

• ‘The average score for all brands and retailers is 21%’.
• ‘The highest scoring brands this year are Adidas, Reebok and Patagonia, who each score 64%’.
• ‘70 brands are publishing a list of their first-tier manufacturers; 38 brands are disclosing their processing facilities and 10 brands are disclosing some of the facilities or farms supplying their fibres such as viscose, cotton and wool’.
• ‘Only 6 brands disclose a method for isolating and calculating labour costs in their price negotiation with suppliers and only 4 publish percentage of supplier payments made on time’.

Source: https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/fashion-transparency-index-2019-ranks-200-brands-adidas-reebok-and-patagonia-top-scoring-but-shockingly-little-information-disclosed-on-purchasing-practices

It’s not good enough! Particularly during in these times. We need to produce and consume to make a difference, now more than ever. The world is being shattered economically and physically. And those whom will suffer the most are the ones whom are the most vulnerable, the poor, our environment and the socially disadvantaged. As companies scrabble to save a dime, it will be at the cost of someone or something. We need to demand information on consumer products (particularly in fashion). Only then can make informed decisions, so our dollar can help build our global society back, in a way that helps the most.  

Lots of love,

Yvie xo

#FreedomOfInformationDay #Moreimportantthanever #transparencyiskey #fashrev #prosumer

Note: The attached image was sourced from : https://www.fashionrevolution.org/about/transparency/