A Greener Shade
Sustainability & Enviroment
The Short Version
Things I do:
- Buy natural materials from a supplier that sources these fibres cruelty free internationally (any polyester is in minute quantities and provides strength to the fibres so they don't exhaust quickly)
- Make every item of clothing myself, to a high quality, with a lot of love
- Research/write things personally, with a good friend and colleague, without the use of AI (often slowly and inconveniently)
- Try to give information as concisely and directly as possible
- Prioritise the communication between customers and the functional designing of my clothes over anything else
- Want to hear if I'm doing something you do/don't like
The Slightly Longer Version - What is there to value in handmade items?
More than anything, I think it's the personal touch. You have the opportunity to speak directly to the designer and find out how much love and time goes into the thing you then get to wear. The maker will know you as a person instead of just being a customer.
I think it's a step in the right direction towards reaching balance between these human relationships and environmental concerns with the fantastic tools of technology and globalisation.
Longevity & The Future
This current structure is not where the dream stops.
As A Greener Shade grows, exploration of other avenues becomes possible, expanding the impact beyond that of handmade clothing. Here's some things I hope you can look forward to in the future.
Teaching
Don't get me wrong I'm pretty speedy with a crochet hook, but the collective impact of a whole new group of people making their own clothes as opposed to buying mass produced items would be far beyond what I can achieve on my own
Partnering with other creators
Ideally in all sorts of ways! From locally sheared and dyed materials to recreating drawn, transcribed or dreamed up clothing brought to life
Pattern Writing
This would function as an extension of teaching. There are a number of patterns I've written with complete beginners in mind. They're designed so you can make beautiful and complex looking items early on
Working With Charities
Further down the line I want to set up methods of supporting a variety of charities. For example, I've been a carer for longer than I've run this business. I want to be able to provide support to others who face the difficulty of having very little time but want to be involved in something creative.
Traceability
Of course, I don't produce my own materials! My main suppliers are the following...