We're both Textile practitioners that have worked commercially for many years. Of course we know our shit about sustainable initiatives and environmental concerns - but we think this crisis goes deeper than that. We really believe that the fashion industry has lost it's soul.
Fashion has been chasing the big profits and the glamourous after parties so long, that it forgot what fantastic clothing is really about. Its about making people feel amazing, and how can we do that while nothing fits properly, the skilled workers that make the clothes are exploited, and the environment is being destroyed.
What can we do about it?
Our vision is to put in connections that bind us together, as stewards of this incredible planet, as communities of makers and wearers, as skilled engineers and plant scientists, back at the heart of the fashion process.
This isn't just about making the next hot trend, this is about a journey of rediscovery. How can fashion be part of a healthy, nurturing, part of life? And we want you to come with us.
You are the missing piece...
We want to share our skills. Whether thats guiding you to create beautiful items of your own, or using our experience to make incredible lingerie for your unique body.
And we want you to have an experience that makes you think 'YES- I'm going to fight for this planet!' because living here is amazing and humans have still got some really brilliant things left to do.
The Targets
1st Target £4300 - You've created our community of natural lingerie enthusiasts and now we can make some incredible botanically dyed items together. You'll receive everything you need in your kits and there'll be ongoing support with videos and online meetups.
2nd Target £7300 - This target gives us some R and D time to develop a unique and exciting GROW-DYE-MAKE subscription service for 2022. Loads more inspirational projects to get you thinking about where your clothes come from, and how we can do fashion better.
3rd Target £9000- This target allows us to free up time for Design Development into our next range of body/maker/planet positive lingerie. Think leopard print, lace, vintage styling and clean lines, all with a commitment to fully circular design and climate positive impact.
OUR MATERIALS
You're probably aware that the textiles industry in the UK was gradually sold off its infrastructure and machinery to economies where labour can be more easily exploited. Despite that, there are some really inspirational projects still making incredible fabrics in the UK and Europe.
All our dye materials have been grown in the UK either by Debbie or by likeminded growers.
Our silk is organic and grown in the UK by the fantastic Majestic Silks. Its a real pleasure to support this beautiful initiative, and the silk is just divine.
The lace is cotton and supplied by The Nottingham Lace Company who have a magical archive of laces all embroidered on a Schliff embroidery machine.
Our knicker elastics are from a fantastic german company that has created an organic cotton and ethically sourced natural rubber knicker elastic.
Our mesh is organic cotton from another brilliant german company.
These materials are top quality and highly innovative, which means they are rightly priced much higher than the crude oil derivatives that dominate lingerie production. This commitment to the best practice is reflected in the price. But unless we invest in these products they can't survive and ultimately the market will continue to be dominated by a drive for cheapness over respect for people and the ecosystem.
Little Black Pants Club - Alice Holloway
I've been beavering away in the Sustainable Fashion space since I graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2008. Its not an easy space to work in. The skills and expertise of makers and practitioners has been really degraded by the rise of fast fashion and neo-liberalism.
I studied Design for the Cultural Commons MA last year at London Met and was really energised by rediscovering my peasant ancestors who were so skilled, so resilient and tbh, having such a good time. It gave me hope that we're not so far away from a way of life in balance with nature, and I suppose, in balance with our own brains- which seem to really crave a deeper connection to each other and to nature.
I love making lingerie because its so personal, its so bound to the body, and its sexy. I love to work with my clients to wrap up their bodies like a really enticing gift to themselves. I'm convinced that learning to love our own bodies is the first step to learning to love this beautiful world. Not just with words but with our actions.
Cordwainers Natural Dye Studio - Debbie Mitchener
Growing up on a small holding in the 80's and preaching to my dad that he shouldnt spray the crops I was regarded as slightly touched and a definite hippy. Now organic is main stream, biodynamic gardening and permaculture are seen as the way forward and people are turnign away from industries and practices that pollute and destroy our planet.
We are not inventing the wheel here but going back in time to the ways our forebearers used to work. Supporting the land as we use it to support us and I really want to see this happen in an urban environment.
Natural dyes speak to my soul, the link I have to the land and my past on a small holding in the sussex countryside. I want to share this ideal with others and encourage them to experiment and find how joyful it is to turn a piece of plain fabric into something eye-watering colourful piece with just plants.
Make Town - Brooke Dennis
Brooke leads the gang at Make Town, with over 15 years in the textiles industry, qualified in fashion and garment construction, focussed on helping your take your creations from homemade to handmade.
Make Town also host amazing guest tutors and experienced makers, wanting to share their passion for making across all disciplines of textiles.
We place our values in practicality, ethical process and supporting your mental health though craft practice and discovery.
We have time to share some gentle advice, our top tips and know how, so you most definitely will continue the making adventure.
Bailiwick Blue
Bailiwick Blue has supplied all the dye stuffs for this project except the woad seeds - Debbie grew those herself! Debbie and George started chatting a year ago and share outlooks on sustainability. Based in the channel Islands growing mainly under glass means wonderful dyes are achieved with the BB flowers and they smell wonderful.
Bailiwick Blue: Think Sustainable. Shop sustainable. Natural plant dyes for fibercraft Indigo, marigold, dyers camomile, scabiosa, madder root. Seed to grow your own dye garden. Choose from a selection of plant dyed textiles and homeware items. Learn through seasonal workshops.
For further enquiries please contact: [email protected]