A celebration of craftsmanship and design, Grey Flannel and Thread Tales present HitoJin- a sustainable, ethically produced, genderless collection of modern ready to wear garments.
HitoJin - a Japanese word meaning person or people.
Japanese design transcends shapes, borders, gender, and age- the perfect inspiration for creating a shared wardrobe.
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A celebration of craftsmanship and design, Grey Flannel and Thread Tales present HitoJin- a sustainable, ethically produced, genderless collection of modern ready to wear garments.
HitoJin - a Japanese word meaning person or people.
Japanese design transcends shapes, borders, gender, and age- the perfect inspiration for creating a shared wardrobe.
The Thread
A conversation around the challenges and rewards of sustainable fabric creation and the merits of genderless styling within s this space, started a collaborative journey between three fashion creatives.
Grey Flannel Owner and Tailor Timothy Everest MBE together with daughter Alyssia, showcase bespoke tailoring as the quintessential original form of British sustainable fashion. Their hallmark pieces are made by hand using sustainably sourced UK-based materials.
They share this passion with Katherine Maunder, founder of sustainable fashion brand, Thread Tales. Katherine’s work as a designer focuses on how garments are created and their relative impact, creative heritage, the longevity of clothing and how versatile, genderless pieces of clothing can be styled.
A natural partnership, the HitoJin collaboration between Thread Tales and Grey Flannel is the fulfilling result of eight months of exploration, fun and passion. Together they created pieces based on the utility and minimalism of Japanese design and combined this with influences of British luxury, elegance and comfort.
Expertise
Grey Flannel has been trading on Chiltern Street, Marylebone for nearly 50 years. Taken on by Richard Froomberg in 1974, Grey Flannel was one of London’s early advocates for designer brands such as Armani and Stone Island.
Timothy Everest MBE started his career with legendary Savile Row tailor, Tommy Nutter, who dressed style icons such as the Beatles, Mick Jagger and David Hockney. Seeing the growth of designer menswear brands, Timothy moved to Chiltern Street to run the independent boutique, Malcom Levene. Whilst there he reflected on his experience on Savile Row and the new generation of menswear. He moved to Spitalfields where he started his firsttailoring business and the new bespoke movement. Tim followed in Tommy's footsteps dressing a myriad of rock stars, artists, actors and politicians and has a long history of involvement creating wardrobes for major films including the Mission Impossible franchise. This consummate designer and collaborator has also worked with brands such as Rapha, La Martina and Superdry.
Thread Tales and Katherine Maunder
Thread Tales was founded upon the discovery of Lotus Silk. Lotus is the signature fabric of Thread Tales and Katherine works directly with local artisans who have been hand-weaving this rare, sustainable fabric for generations.
Katherine Maunder is a creative entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience as a Senior Fashion Designer for premium brands such as Ted Baker, Matthew Williamson, and Jasper Conran for Debenhams. She combines a forward-thinking approach with a passion for responsible design and fabric innovation. Central to her work is a deep, pragmatic understanding of what sustainability means in practice, for business. Through her brand Katherine has gathered and assimilated creative and responsible ways of working, sourced, and created fabrics of exceptional quality and discovered new, imaginative ways of thinking about fashion and sustainability. Some of her proudest achievements, beyond the love and loyalty of her customers, include prestigious investors, coverage from topfashion editors, and partnerships with high-end stockists such as Beaverbrook Luxury Country House Hotel, Six Senses Buthan, and Rêve-en-Vert, as well as a collaboration with The National Gallery.
HitoJin
The HitoJin collection is designed around three key elements- functionality, silhouettes that work universally, and an eternal lifespan.
Katherine took her long-term fascination with Japanese design and combined this with influences of British elegance to design pieces intended to be styled in unique ways to reflect individual personality, whilst combining elements of a shared aesthetic.
“I wanted to create pieces that you reach for again and again. Aspirational quality is always at the core of my work - designed to be desired by any age or gender. I am inspired by art, craft and culture and blending these with innovation, utility and design to have minimal impact on people and planet”.
Katherine Maunder, Thread Tales
Tim’s tailoring pieces are cut using the elegant London drape method from exceptional quality wool cloth, by famous vertical British mill, Abraham Moons
“I have been exploring drape and form that expresses the shape and comfort that suits today’s wardrobe -which is both casual and elegant.”
Timothy Everest, Grey Flannel
The team sourced sustainably produced fabrics, working closely with suppliers that share their ethical values, so that their customers can choose to wear, “exceptional quality with a conscience” explains Katherine.
Tim adds; “As a tailor we have always recycled garments over the years, and Katherine and I share the same vision for beautiful garments that are ethically sourced. I am very excited as this is a start of a wonderful collaboration and the beginning of a new journey.”
Key to HitoJin is the 100% recycled cashmere knitwear. Yarn from pre-loved 100% cashmere items is regenerated into a high-quality new product with a significantly lower overall environmental impact. Thread Tales’ partner workshop in Nepal has been busy unravelling unsold high quality cashmere jumpers for the collection, to create new, treasured pieces designed to last a lifetime.
Organic cotton t-shirts feature a hand-painted Calligraphy style HitoJin logo by graphic artist, Chris Bigg, who famously created iconic Album cover art for The Breeders, The Pixies, Lush and Belly. Inspired by Chris’s mark-making, HitoJin features neck ties and scarves with a striking tie-die design, individually hand-tied by skilled Artisans in Nepal.
Handcrafted elements are threaded throughout the HitoJin collection. Some are finished with unique hand-stitched details, as a reminder of the skilled hands of the artisan that made them. The customer can connect to the maker that made their piece through the QR code on the swing ticket. This is important to both Grey Flannel and Thread Tales who view it as part of the telling of the story of the piece, the fabric it’s made from, and how it made its journey “through their hands to yours” as part of the sustainable narrative that encourages people to think more deeply about the impact of their clothing.
The experience and creativity in this collection is apparent in pieces are cleverly androgenous without being shapeless. Exceptional quality fabrics that flatter the shape of the wearer and universally appealing design make for an eminently desirable mix of impeccably tailored suits, shirts and t-shirts, expertly hand-loomed knitwear, tie dye neck ties and scarves. It is the perfect example of the cohesion and partnership of tailor, designer and the shared creative idealism of Grey Flannel and Thread Tales
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Embarking on this journey to introduce recycled cashmere into our collection would not have been possible without the support of our partner, KPA Cashmere, a Nepal-based family business.
KPA produce knitwear and woven products providing a source of income for many underprivileged citizens. All their cashmere sweaters, scarves and other accessories are made by hand, mostly by women. Everything is produced under the same roof in a clean, safe, environment where the team is paid a living wage.
Meet our makers - Nanda, Iswori and Tara who have made our recycled sweaters and tie-dye scarves. The business from Thread Tales provides a stable income and a safe place to work to support their families and provide a sense of purpose.
How long does creating a single piece for our Recycled Cashmere collection take? How much work goes into it?
Recycling and creating a new cashmere piece can take up to 3-4 days as every process is done manually. Cashmere waste from factories is sorted by hand to create new, treasured pieces. This requires the patience, expertise and skilled touch of the trained KPA Cashmere employees, the majority of whom are women of all generations, from the local community.
When all the cashmere waste, sourced from local companies has been utilised, KPA sources recycled cashmere yarn from Consignee - Oeko-Tex, accredited world renowned yarn producer based in China, find out about our alternative supplier here
The machines to knit our jumpers are operated by hand, which significantly lowers the carbon footprint of the process.
The looms to weave our scarves are operated by hand and the tie dye design is meticulously hand tie-dyed by these skilled artisans.
Our values
We know that by choosing Thread Tales, you are making a choice not just based on exceptional quality, natural fibres and our designs, but also on the mission and the values behind them. We value your trust in us to deliver the highest standards of ethical production, ensuring our communities of Artisans are supported, and that our practices are respectful of the planet.
For more information about Grey Flannel visit www.greyflannel.co.uk
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Golden hues, liquid texture and timeless luster. Our Artisan-made plant-dyed silk sheets are a sensorial invitation to unwind and savour the beauty of simple moments of stillness. Ethically crafted from finest-grade Habotai silk, a hypoallergenic, breathable, nourishingly soft, antimicrobial natural fabric, each sheet is also toxin-free because lovingly dyed with flower petals. This makes them kind to your skin, kind to the hands that craft them, and kind to the planet. These precious sheets have been selected by ethical self-care brand La-Eva for their signature luxury spa treatments.
Kind to your skin
Ayurveda, traditional Eastern medicine, tell us that our skin has incredible absorbent abilities. This means that what we put on or close to our skin is transported directly into our innermost systems, making our clothes a primary source of harm or healing. Our botanical silks are hand-dyed in Mumbai using hibiscus flowers and marigold petals collected from the local Hindu temples, and even the mordant used to extract and fix the pigment to the fabric are from natural origins. As such, you can be sure that no harmful chemicals but only the most gentle natural compounds from the Earth come in contact to your skin.
Kind to our Artisans
Beyond safe and respectful working conditions, our Artisans’ health is also safeguarded by our commitment to use ingredients and techniques which are planet-friendly and kind to humans. These sheets are designed and created in partnership with FairKonnect, a socially responsible, female-led FairTrade certified company based in Bangalore and plant-dyed in a home-based unit in Maharashrea, Mumbai.
Kind to the planet
Every piece in this collection is dyed through a zero-waste process with hibiscus and Marigold petals collected from the local temples, where this sun-hued flower is used as an offering. This is the most Earth-friendly dyeing method because the dyes originate from Nature, no polluting effluent are generated at any stage of this process, and both ingredients and final products are completely biodegradable. Furthermore, in line with our responsible production principles, we only produce a limited quantity of pieces to avoid overstocking.
How are our sheets made
Hibiscus flowers and marigold petals are hand-gathered from the local temples and brought to our partner’s home-based facilities. There, the silk material is scoured to with a biodegradable soap to remove any traces of dirt, wax, dust and coatings. The Habotai silk is then layed out and the petals are sprinkled onto the fabric. The sheets are carefully rolled into bundles and hand-steamed over heated pots of water to extract the plant’s natural pigments. To bind the dye to the material a natural mordent (potassium or aluminium sulphate) is used to act as a bond between the fibre and the dyestuff. Once the fabric has been thoroughly steamed, the sheet is slowly rolled out and the petals removed.
Care Instructions
Please be sure to look after natural dyed silks by hand washing with lukewarm water with a PH neutral gentle soap and air dry. Do not machine wash or tumble dry or use normal soaps or detergents as this can affect the colours.
The production of the Lotus is carried out entirely electricity-free, is zero waste, non-toxic and requires reduced water usage, making it one of the most sustainable fabrics out there. Its innate durability and resistance paired with its soft hand-feel, make it a versatile fabric that lends itself naturally to a variety of uses, from fashion to homeware and décor, to art.
The journey begins on the shores of the Inle Lake, in Myanmar, Southeast Asia. Here, the Intha people, during the harvest season, hand-pick the abundance of flourishing Lotus flowers, a naturally regenerative plant.
The precious spider-silk-like fibres are extracted from the stems with ancient gestures of mesmerising precision and hand-rolled into thicker threads.
Our team of expert spinners, spin the rustic fibre into yarn without any electricity.
The yarn is then hand-woven by our weavers on hand-operated wooden looms and using traditional wooden tools in workshops based in stilt-huts, on the shore of the lake, or in their own home.
For the production of the Lotus, the women of the village follow a centuries-old technique passed down from generation to generation. Young girls are trained by older and more experienced women, thus preserving this precious traditional craft and providing local women with fair, safe and fulfilling work opportunities.
Alternatively, when blended with Cashmere or other yarns, our Lotus travels to our Nepal-based workshop to the capable hands of our local team.
This year, our Lotus silk became the base material and inspiration for a one-of-a-kind work of art by Budapest-based textile artist Kinga Foldi, who used the leftover cuts from our scarves to create three-dimensional, true-size sculptures of Lotus flowers.
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The Lotus, our signature fabric, is an endless source of inspiration for us. Shrouded in mystery and symbolical meaning, the Lotus flower represents resilience, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth in Buddhist culture and beyond.
The fabric derived from it is one of the most sustainable textiles in existence; the product of a zero-waste, non-toxic, hand-led and electricity-free process with ancient cultural roots, a trade proudly protected by the Intha people, our Artisans from the Inle Lake, Myanmar, which we have the privilege of sharing with you the form of our Lotus scarves.
Resistant, yet supremely soft, raw yet exquisitely luxurious in its look, Lotus silk is often considered an ethical alternative to fine cotton and linen, but we believe it deserves a category of its own. Versatile and performant, it lends itself to a variety of uses, from fashion to homeware and décor, it makes for supple shawls, resilient tableware, elegant multi-purpose blankets, and beyond.
This year, in the hands of Budapest-based textile Artist Kinga Foldi, our Lotus silk has become art. With patience, creativity, and skill, Kinga has recreated for us the delicate shape of the Lotus flower, petal by petal, using leftover cuts of fabric from our scarves. In the process of creating her true-sized sculptures, Kinga has reflected on the symbolical meaning of the Lotus, on creativity and inspiration, and on her relationship with fabric and handi-work. She shared her thoughts with us in this interview.
What's at the origins of your work? How did you start? Why? And how has it been evolving and taking shape over the years?
I began to use pintuck during my university years. It’s a traditional sewing technique, which was used to decorate blouses and dresses in the past centuries. I began to experiment with the density of the folds, thereby changing the structure and the surface of the fabric. I created a material, which I could use to fold interesting shapes. My first pin-tucked work was a rococo-style costume, that offered me the chance to evoke the excessive playfulness of the era. It was followed by many similar bespoke costumes and dresses, often ordered by theatres and choreographers. I enjoyed these commissions, but something was missing. I had to realise, that I can’t express myself completely through costumes, because even the most spectacular ones have to be functional as well. That was the reason why I turned to free standing objects. This decision has brought up new technical problems, suddenly there was no carrying surface, neither the dress nor the human body, only the pin-tucked material remained. I had to invent my own technique to shape the objects and maintain the created form without any additional frame structure.
What inspires you and what do you do to find (and keep) your inspiration? Do you have any trusted sources, favourite activities, or rituals?
Shaping is an organic process. The pintucked fabric itself evokes natural structures and patterns, and so do the objects I create with this material. My inspiration comes from nature, especially from plants and mushrooms. I’m constantly looking for striped structures in the smallest living beings like the leaves of the trees, the onion skin, the petals of a chrysanthemum or the larger formations like the waves of the sea or the sand dunes. I take photos and draw a lot. Recently mushrooms came in the focus of my research, not only because the patterns of the gilles are so obviously reflected in the pintucked fabric, I have also found out many curiosities about fungi that might be instructive for human society as well. People of our age do well if they turn back to nature, because we moved away from it and have gone too far. If we tear ourselves apart from nature and look at it from outside, not recognising our unity, we will face severe consequences. We can see the signs already. I wish to call the attention with my works to the dangers of this process.
You create magic with your hands and textiles? What's your relationship with fabric and handi-work?
I graduated as woven textile designer artist, but I rather use the word textile artist to define myself. Textile art refers not only the fabric I use, it also offers a rich variety of techniques. I have learned some of them, like bobbin-lacemaking, origami-tessellation, crochet, knitting, beadwork and so on, these are the foundations of my works. I’m especially interested in how they find their place in our modern world. Our machines can do so many things but they are incapable of filling the objects with soul. This can be done only by the hands and soul of the artisan or the artist, because humans have the choice to change the process underway. The meaning of an object, that was cradled to life by the warmth of the human hand, goes beyond its physical appearance. Knowing and keeping the traditional techniques alive is a mission that artists and artisans must bear in every era. Objects of tribal cultures and folk art are all sacred, because beside function and aesthetics they have the capability of connecting our profane world to the higher spiritual world. The creators of these objects were the keepers of the secret, they have known the meaning of the symbols and the techniques. Our everyday objects are functional maybe aesthetic but rarely sacred. I think the importance of handi-work is that by using them one can be connected to the spiritual world, which is a rare gift.
To create lively objects I use silk dupioni. This fabric is crisp and quite paper-like. It harmonises with my aims beautifully. With the aid of some starch and textile glue I have a material that can be shaped easily. I like the small slubs that are the result of the spinning process, it makes the surface even more alive.
How was working with our Lotus Silk? In terms of feel, challenges, but also meaning? Is there anything that this experience with Lotus has left you with?
I was looking forward to touching lotus silk. I have read its story and the making process of the fabric, its sacral role in Buddhism. I opened the package that was sent to me by Katherine with shaking hands. For days I was just touching and observing, trying to imagine the artisans weaving it and spinning the threads. I felt, that I can make no mistake while working with this silk, because every filament of it was priceless. It was challenging to create objects that were worthy of being the successors of this traditional fabric. Thinking of the fact that lotus silk was traditionally a gift to Buddha, I felt grateful that I could hold a piece of this sacred fabric in my hands. The experience with lotus silk has left me with new perspectives in textile sculpture.
What was the most challenging part of this project? What was the most rewarding part?
I got several pieces of material from Katherine. The most interesting fabrics were the softest and most translucent ones, not really corresponding to my work method. I had to figure out how to stiffen the material. On the other hand I wanted to preserve the net-like texture. I couldn’t work like usually, sewing neat close folds, I wanted to allow the observer to see through the petals. Beside pintucking the fabric I also pulled out some threads between the folds, shaping dense protruding lines alternated with rare translucent ones, creating an interesting living lace-like surface.
We love how many women's hands have touched this object and the sense of purpose each stage brings. What does this mean to you personally?
At this time of the year the traditional spinning houses come to my mind. In Europe spinning has always been a winter-time activity, it lasted from the autumn harvest to the end of the carnival season around February. The raw material harvested in the autumn was processed at this time by the women working together and helping each other. It was an occasion where women sang and talked while working. It was the place of the balls too which were louder and happier as spring approached. These lotus sculptures took a special path from Myanmar across England to Hungary. They were born from lotus flowers, became yarn and turned into lotus flowers again. I think, that all the women touching and working on these objects sang their songs and souls into them.
Finally, is there anything I have not asked you that you would like to include?
I thought it was too soft and gauze-like. After starching and sewing a really living and fibre-like material came into existence. It has dense and prominent lines and between those lines you can see through the fabric. I found this alternating surface beautiful.
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With 2020 offloading on everyone a large dose of unpredictability, we had all looked at 2021 with hopes for a steadier year. Yet, this twelvemonth has proven to be another bumpy ride, rich in challenges, certainly, but also in rewards and achievements. As we approach the end of the year, we take this chance to look back and reflect on all that has passed to celebrate what we are proud of and reap the learnings of the many lessons we have encountered along the way.
One aspect that the past couple of years have brought to the surface of everyone’s life is the crucial importance of self-care. The wellbeing of mind, body, and soul seems to have become a priority for more and more people and this year we have joined this important conversation. We have done so, first and foremost, by creating a collection entirely dedicated to wellness, addressing the matter through conscious design and material choices that benefit the wearer, the makers, and planet.
Collaboration and mutual support are now more important than ever for independent ethical businesses to keep on thriving. In 2021 we have kept on nourishing important relationships with local like-minded businesses, collaborating on a variety of projects and events, leveraging each other’s unique expertise, story, and presence.
Between COVID-related complications and socio-political conflicts hitting the countries of our Suppliers and Artisans, this year has been a particularly challenging one for production. Nonetheless, by adjusting our approach and expectations, we have been able to successfully launch a collection – even featuring new product categories! – and to keep providing our Artisans with precious (and safe) business opportunities.
These are some of the projects and achievements we are celebrating this year.
Sustainably Chic is an online destination for sustainable fashion, green beauty and eco lifestyle. It's a place where fashion can exist responsibly, so we can enjoy the art and love behind the things we wear and use every day.
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On Saturday 6th November we celebrated Tihar, the Tibetan Festival of Lights, with a handful of guests at the charming La-Eva Studio.
We showcased a selection of our Nepal-crafted pieces and we explored the fascinating threads of tradition and culture woven within them. Traditional Nepalese deep-fried sweet treats were served, Oolong tea was sipped on while chatting, and marigold petals and coloured powdered rice were sprinkled into intuitive shapes by our guests, forming Rangoli circles that grew wider and wider on the floor as each person added their layer of personal touch.
This was a precious opportunity to pause and open a window onto the rich traditional background of our Nepal-based Artisans, that craft with skill and passion our designs, bringing you the ultimate conscious luxury in a one-of-a-kind sensorial and cultural experience.
Our lovely guest Rasangi Prematilaka (@mindfulwildchild and @journeyintoayurveda on Instagram) and our host, Louisa Canham from La-Eva, captured in a few photographs some of the magical moments of this special celebration.
Over the past few weeks, we have collaborated with our friends from La-Eva on a special project aiming to
The name Ikat comes from a Malay word meaning to tie or to bind. The name encapsulates the elaborate process behind the realisation of this unique fabric. The traditional manufacturing technique consists of marking, tying and resist-dyeing the design into the yarn before the fabric is woven to create its characteristic vibrancy of colour and pattern.
The process begins with the yarn that is tightly wrapped together and worked into bundles. The design is planned in advance and realised by our extremely skilled craftsmen in Myanmar by marking bundles and tying them in correspondence of the pattern. The bundles are dyed as many times as required to create the desired pattern.
This process is different because the yarns are dyed before being woven into cloth. As a result, the pattern will be perfectly visible on both sides of the cloth.
Once the yarns have been dyed and dried, the weaver lines them up on the loom to form the pattern. The design unfolds as the yarn is woven into cloth. This is an incredibly complex process: the experienced weaver must precisely dye the threads and place them correctly onto the loom in order to obtain the correct pattern when woven.
This A/W season we launch our first Homeware range entirely crafted through the Ikat technique by our Artisans in Myanmar. The vibrant colours are enhanced by this particular craft process. The final result is a richly textured yet smooth broken strata of colour, which adds a sophisticated flavour to our cushions, eye-masks, and scrunchies.
]]>The women in our Thread Tales community are a precious source of inspiration to us. We often lean into their wisdom and life experience and are always rewarded with advice, encouragement, and more.
Lately we have been focusing on sleep, and how we can reap the benefits of a restful night's sleep. In a previous post Katherine, our founder, and Louisa, founder of organic lifestyle and body care La-Eva shared how they unwind and prepare for bedtime in their everyday life.
In this post our model Anastasia La Sala and our friend Chloe Hodgson from Chloe Pilates share their own evening routine. We hope their rituals will inspire you to add an extra dose of calming self-care to the end of your day.
ANASTASIA'S BEDTIME RITUAL
Anastasia modelled our Ancestral Wellness Collection, entirely dedicated to your wellbeing.
To me, self-care means listening to my body and making sure all my needs are met. I believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, so I make sure I take great care of my mind as well as my body.
I am learning to listen to my body more and more: I pay attention to my posture, and every night before I get ready for bed, I do some exercises to open up my back. I started practicing restorative yoga, which is a type of yoga that focuses on stretching and relaxation, with no standing poses. I practice it every day, sometimes as a mid afternoon break, sometimes after a workout. I find it works wonders for my back and my flexibility! I recently took up meditation, after watching a documentary called Headspace on Netflix, about the benefits of meditation in brain health. I started off by downloading a meditation app and learning about a few different techniques. One of the most useful things I’ve learnt so far is to pay attention to breathing. There are little tricks one can use to ease the pressure during the day. Whenever I feel a little overwhelmed, I stop whatever I am doing and I take five deep breaths, and I instantly feel more grounded.
Getting enough sleep is very important to me. I feel that when I am well rested I have more energy throughout the day and I can fully engage in my job and with the people I work with. To get the best quality of sleep, I make sure I don’t eat anything heavy before I go to bed and that the temperature in my bedroom is just right. I like to be comfortable at home, so breathable, natural fabric for my bedding and loungewear is a must! I don’t normally have trouble falling asleep, but in case I do, I keep a novel on my bedside table. The last book I read is “The Midnight library” by Matt Haig, which was very cute and uplifting. I love reading but since I work a lot on my laptop, I try not to strain my eyes when it’s not necessary. One of my favourite things to do on my commute in London is listening to audiobooks. I realised that this way I can easily get through four books a month! The last Ebook I listened to is called “Fresh Water for the Flowers” by Valérie Perrin, which was very in line with the sort of stories I like. Stories about celebrating small every day tasks, that spark an introspective monologue or self-reflection in the main character. My favourite book of this sort is “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery, which follows the lives of two different women who live in the same building and share the same brilliant curiosity for the world and for the meaning of life.
Last but not least, something I learnt during the pandemic is that being close to loved ones is one of the most soothing things one can experience. So, make sure you get loads of cuddles from your friends and family!
CHLOE'S BEDTIME RITUAL
Chloe is the founder of Oxfordshire-based and digital wellness business Chloe's Pilates.
I usually ear an early supper at 6pm with my boys – I normally include lots of carbs, like sweet potatoes or normal white potatoes most days. Eating carbs at night can boost serotonin –one of the good mood hormones-, which will convert into melatonin, -the good sleep hormone- and help support a healthy night sleep. Then it's bath time and I read stories with my children. After that I usually catch up on a few emails with a herbal tea, then it's my bath time: I love a long soak in a hot bath full of magnesium salts. Skincare is also part of my self-care and bedtime routine: I cleanse my face and then use a facial oil and do some gua sha. Gua sha helps to promote blood circulation, improve fine lines and wrinkles, aids lymphatic drainage and relieves tension from muscles. If I am not too tired I will read a book (you can find Chloe's bookshelf favourite in Issue 2 of Thread Tales Magazine, out now!), but I am normally dropping off after page 2!
]]>Katherine, and La Eva's founder Louisa, share their secrets for unwinding and relaxing before bedtime.
]]>Thread Tales has partnered with La-Eva to create a mindful accessory for ultimate bedtime bliss. La-Eva is a lifestyle and luxury skin & hair care, made from organic ingredients with sublime all-natural fragrances. Together we have designed a luxurious Lotus Silk sleeping-mask and pouch set rich in evocative symbolism and wellbeing-enhancing characteristics. Proper nightly rest is essential for more than achieving that healthy glow in the morning. Sleeping well is necessary to your overall wellness, affecting your body from a cellular level all the way to your mood and cognitive abilities.
We asked the two founders to share their secrets to slip into sleep-more at the end of their intense and busy (but oh, so rewarding!) days. A relaxing evening is a key ingredient to wake up energised and ready to bring their best selves forward the following morning. Let's see how they transition from daytime to nighttime.
LOUISA'S BEDITME RITUAL
My evening rituals, much as all my everyday rituals, are truly ever so simple. I enjoy washing the day off, head to toe. Then I enjoy moisturising, head to toe.
Inevitably, perhaps, I use La-Eva for both processes and, despite the products nowadays lying in the epicentre of working life, on a personal level it is smile-inducing that I continue to experience their enveloping fragrances intimately, reassuringly, perhaps something akin to enveloping myself in a halo of goodness before bed.
In working with Katherine on our collaboration eye masks, I tried sleeping with one on when we received our first samples a few weeks ago. Truth be told, unexpectedly so, it transpired to be a point of no return. In the eye of my mind, I think that my mask has become a symbolic representation of the end of the day. I put my Lotus Silk mask on, and its soft darkness whispers that it's time for stillness in every sense.
KATHERINE'S BEDTIME RITUALS
Being a busy entrepreneur and mum, I find it hard to switch my brain off from my endless to-do lists. My go-to methods of preparing myself for a good night's sleep are the following. I start with a hot bath, with some drops of La Eva's Jasmina oil or Himalayan bath salts, followed by a herbal tea, either chamomile or lavender tea. At night I use the my Jasmina oil also on my face and neck and inhale the heady aromas of the jasmine flower. I have recently discovered a wooden face roller which feels wonderful used in conjunction with the oil, and it is fantastic for circulation!
To erase general body tension, anxiety, and stress, I use my Yantra mat: a mat with little plastic spikes that through acupressure also works magic in releasing tension and improving circulation. The effects can be felt within minutes: I feel warmth along the parts of my body in contact with the mat, this increases blood flow, a natural response to acupressure. For extra cocooning, I also cover myself in our Lotus calming wrap whilst I lie on that mat and run a mental scan through my body checking in with any aches and knots. Sometimes, during this ritual I feel so sleepy and relaxed I can go to sleep instantly.
Finally, I try to end the day with a few positive thoughts and look in gratitude at all I have. This helps us realise how great what we have is as compared to the situation of many others, even though at times we may forget.
When my head hits the pillow, it's such a special treat to feel the silky smooth material of our Lotus Silk pillowcase and eye mask. The sensation of the fabric, as well as the benefits to my hair and skin, are the final layer of luxury I bring to my nighttime rituals.
More self-care and bedtime rituals from our Thread Tales Women »
__________ SHOP BEDTIME FAVOURITES
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Explore our Ancestral Wellness Collection: designed to enhance the modern woman's experience of her personal wellbeing journey. Reconnect with your essence, regenerate your mind, realign with your body.
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This year Thread Tales launches its very first wellbeing-inspired collection (launching soon!), featuring healing natural fabrics, plant-derived pigments, and our ever-loved soothing textures.
As part of this line, a newly-introduced yarn has earned a special place in our heart: Eri Silk. We sat down –virtually!– with Rituraj, the co-founder of our partnered supplier 7Weaves, to find out what makes this ethical silk alternative so special. Get to know Rituraj and feel inspired by 7Weaves’ story by reading the full interview on our digital magazine, or keep scrolling to discover 6 things you should know about Eri Silk.
Ancestral Wellness Collection: Eri Silk and Cashmere blend meditation shawl, worn over our Ombre Cashmere Cardigan (Natural).
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(Chloe wears our Lotus & Cashmere Meditation Shawl, available to pre-order online from early July)
The Thread Tales community is made up of a diverse group of incredibly inspiring women, be them customers, friends, partners or family. This week Thread Tales is in conversation with Chloe Pilates, on rituals, life lessons and the world of Pilates.
Chloe is an independent, West Oxfordshire based, STOTT Certified, Pilates teacher. She currently teaches dynamic group classes at Soho Farmhouse but also teaches privately. We captured Chloe in some key pieces from our Ancestral Wellness Collection, available to pre-order online from mid July.
In the interview below we share Chloe’s positivity and rituals for leading a healthy lifestyle.
(Chloe wears our Tie Dye Meditation Blanket Wrap & Eye Mask, available to pre-order mid July for delivery late August)
1. Can you give us an introduction to your world and tell us how Chloe Pilates came about?
I have been passionate about fitness for a large part of my life, enjoying all kinds of sport from long distance running to lacrosse and tennis. Having previously thought Pilates a little static and limited, I was encouraged to try a class to build my core strength after injuring my back. I was quickly won over by the benefits of the classes and have been a dedicated devotee of all types of Pilates ever since.
I took my Pilates to the next level and began teaching as I felt that I wanted to offer the benefits of what I’d learnt to others whilst also enhancing my own understanding and technique. Pilates has certainly enriched my life and I’m sure that there are lots of people out there who will soon be saying the same!
2. How has Pilates enriched your life?
In so many ways! Pilates has helped me really understand my body and how it moves and works. It’s not only given me better body and mind awareness but also improved my strength, my posture and helped with past injuries. It’s helped me keep fit during 2 pregnancies and recover from them very quickly. And most importantly it’s given me a job that I am incredibly passionate about.
(Chloe wears our Lotus & Cashmere Meditation Shawl, available to pre-order mid July for delivery late August)
3.What are your top six daily rituals?
4. What’s your advice on living a healthy lifestyle?
5. What are you reading, watching, listening to?
- I’m not reading anything at the moment. Every time I try and read in bed I fall asleep!
- I love listening to Deliciously Ella’s podcast
- We are watching a very touching, sweet, funny series called the Detectorists and its brilliant!
6. Favourite food for natural cleansing?
Celery juice and homegrown veggie stews with lots of herbs and spices in!
7. What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Live every day as though it’s your last and SMILE!
*Find out more about Chloe's Services through her website www.chloespilates.com
]]>Read the article in full here
]]>Sustainability Champions are the individuals, companies and organizations currently solving environmental challenges around the world. They are leaders and innovators and their numbers are growing.
Listen to the interview with our founder Katherine Maunder in podcast episode 'Sustainable Fashion using Lotus Flowers' now available on Spotify.
In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Katherine Maunder, Founder of Threadtales and #Champion of Ethical Fashion through Sustainable Practices.
Threadtales is a luxury fashion brand that creates scarves, travel wraps and Kaftans using environmentally-sound fabrics.
Katherine is passionate about handcrafted raw materials to create unique designs, so she chose to make many of Threadtales’ pieces out of their signature Lotus flower fabric.
The Lotus flower grows naturally in lakes in Myanmar and benefits from harvesting, which helps the crop renew each season.
The clothes are then produced in Nepal using zero electricity, zero waste, and zero chemicals.
Thread Tales were recently awarded the Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury for their company-wide commitment to strong environmental principles.
Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other sustainability champions like Katherine.
I hope you enjoy the episode!
Resources:
Website: https://www.threadtalescompany.com/ (threadtalescompany.com)
Fast Fashion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_fashion (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_fashion)
Rana Plaza Accident: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/geip/WCMS_614394/lang--en/index.htm (ilo.org/global/topics/Rana Plaza)
Cashmere wool: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashmere_wool (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashmere_wool)
Threadtales video: threadtalescompany.com/pages/story
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threadtalesco/ (instagram.com/threadtalesco)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThreadTalesCo (twitter.com/ThreadTalesCo)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThreadTalesCo (facebook.com/ThreadTalesCo)
Seedrs Campaign: https://www.seedrs.com/threadtales (seedrs.com/threadtales)
You may find the transcript here: https://www.sustainabilitymatters.today/katherine-maunder-threadtales (sustainabilitym.at/ThreadTales)
Watch the full episode: https://sustainabilitym.at/Youtube-Katherin-Maunder (https://sustainabilitym.at/Youtube-Katherin-Maunder)
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Read the article in full here
]]>Read our Lotus Impact Report here.
Practicing self-love and compassion is associated with lower anxiety and depression, better recovery from stress and overall, a more optimistic outlook on life. Yes please to all of that!
Fostering self love relies on actions that support our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth. For me this is getting out in nature. It's time out to breathe, space to think and exercise outdoors to nurture my body. Connecting with what's around me feeds my soul.
Mum, aged (nearly!) 72 dives into a freezing cold river, pond or lake several times a week, slides down weirs and into waterfalls and literally glows from her cold-water ritual. For some this may be torture- but for her it's invigorating, immune building and dementia preventing (cold water immersion has been shown to protect the brain from degenerative diseases and combat depression).
Since my personal self-love rituals are linked to nature, they help reconnect me to our environmental values and I love to bring these back inside with me as inspiration.
We hope you find time to dedicate space to your own self-love. Sometimes it's important to prioritise ourselves, to help us ride the bumps and challenges of life with energy and clarity.
With Love
Katherine & Thread Tales
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This is one of the most important lessons my mother has shared with me. If you have been part of the Thread Tales Community for a while, you will know how deep and influential my relationship with my mother is on both my life and in that of my business.
When I first started working in fashion for a number of fast fashion companies, I often thought about these words and I could not help feeling that I was not really working towards my values. Everyone was out for themselves and there was no sense of community. I remember I was always looking for a way out, though I still loved what I was doing: I still loved being a designer and having the chance to be creative. My mum and her words were in my head all the time, so when she brought the Lotus back from Myanmar, it felt like the call I had been waiting for. It was the beginning of an amazing journey, one that meant something to me then as it still does today.
My mum and I are so different in many ways, yet I see so much of her in myself as a person, as a designer and as a business owner. She is a constant source of inspiration as well as a (role) model (surprisingly she’s quite the natural in front of the camera too!). I deeply cherish our connection, both as a daughter and as a mother myself.
Having a double interview was not something either her or myself were used to, but I enjoyed seeing our differences and similarities, the same set of values and, so importantly, a mutual sense of admiration emerge from our answers.
In the photograph, Katherine wears our Cashmere Cardigan Ombre (Natural), while her mother, Frances, wears Hand Woven Narrow Yak Scarf (Wine).
How would you describe your mother-daughter relationship?
K: Mum’s a great role model to me. Kind yet strong, fiercely independent and quietly determined. Her work as a midwife and training birthing assistants in developing countries is testimony to this. Whilst growing up we grew to have total respect for each other and also an acceptance that things are difficult at times, but you need to work through it and move forward and give that love and support that they need to get through. And friendship. Friendship is such a bond and our relationship.
F: Very simply: loving, fun and supportive
What have you come to appreciate in your mother/daughter as you/she grew into an adult young woman? How has your relationship changed with the years?
K: She has such a positive influence and always manages to get me to look at things in a different light when I lose perspective on things. She never held me back from experiencing and valuing life and all its highs and lows.
F: Her passion, her hard work and commitment to everything she does. And watching her grow in confidence.
How would you describe your mother/daughter in three words?
K: Strong, Inspiring, Giving.
F: Fun-loving, total loyalty to friends and family, and courage to do anything.
How do you think your mother/daughter would describe you?
K: I think she would see many of her values in me. I have the same quiet determination and giving nature as her. I am sometimes more emotionally driven than her, but have learnt how to override this with a good teacher, my mum!
F: She would describe me as a bit mad, eccentric and hard working.
What is the most important thing your mother/daughter has taught you?
K: Mindfulness was not a ‘thing’ when we are growing up but we were very in touch with nature thanks to our outdoor-focused lifestyle. She has taught me to never give up and how to pick myself up and carry on. She teaches me how to have a healthy perspective on things.
F: She has shown us all what grit and determination are.
How was posing together for our Thread Tales shoot? What did you discover about each other and your relationship?
K: I was surprised how at ease Mum was in front of the camera and she naturally projected her confidence without even trying. It’s one of the special qualities I see in my mum everyday.
F: I discovered that we work well together and it was fun!
Do you have a similar sense of style? What do you like about your mother's/daughter's style?
K: My mum doesn’t not like to dress up, but appreciates good quality and loves natural fabrics, so that’s where we align. I am a bit of a chameleon and dress to suit my surroundings. I used to follow trends if they suited me, now I just wear what suits me regardless of trend.
F: I have a very casual style, I am not too worried about what I look like as long as I feel comfy. I mostly live in jeans!
I love the sustainability of Katherine’s style.
What would you choose as a present for your mother/daughter from the Thread Tales collections? Why?
K: The Lotus scarf. Everything about this scarf symbolises our relationship in so many ways and how she has been such an inspiration to me! She can wear this scarf and always know it’s not only a beautiful piece, but an emblem of the emotional bond between us, and of where my journey as an entrepreneur began.
F: The scarf with the beautiful embroidery of the crane as it sums up her whole philosophy: sustainability, helping others to earn a decent wage so they can care for their families, and care of other people and the environment. And it is such amazing workmanship!
Day (in blue) and Sony (in pink) unravelling a jumper by hand.
As part of our Black Better Friday and Cyber Caring Monday campaign, we are exploring why fair pricing matters to small independent businesses and the people behind them.
Thanks to our talented, hard-working Artisans, we are able to offer to our customers the highest standards of quality and sustainability. In turn, Thread Tales offers a marketplace where our Artisans’ fine craftsmanship is justly valued and showcased, and our partners trust us to price the product of their work fairly to make sure everyone within the Thread Tales ecosystem keeps on prospering. The relationship between us and our partners is a positive feedback loop: we thrive off of benefiting each other.
Last week Nay Win and Moe Moe shared what difference producing our Thread Tales silk face mask has made for them, their family and the weavers, seamstresses and embroidered of their community in Myanmar during these challenging times. This week we caught up with Deepa Kunwar from KPA cashmere. Deepa shares what doing business with Thread Tales means for her own business, what goes behind a fair price and what the survival of her family business means to her employees and their community.
Deepa working alongside the women in her team.
Let's get to know you: tell us about yourself, your business and what you do?
I run a cashmere manufacturing factory in Nepal producing various knitwear and woven products. I design most of the pieces myself and we work with private labels. All our cashmere sweaters, scarves and other accessories are made by hand, mostly by women. By producing everything under the same roof and sourcing our cashmere from sustainable farms, we create precious pieces that are not only beautiful, but also have meaning and purpose.
How long does creating a single piece for our Recycled Cashmere collection take? How much work goes into it?
Since we do not shred the fibre to produce recycle cashmere, our process is comparatively longer, but it prevents cashmere from breaking, which maintains its quality intact. We unstitch overproduced cashmere sweaters or offcuts, unravel them and separate them according to their colour shades. This process alone takes almost the whole day as it has to be done very carefully. The yarn is then cleaned and reused to make a fresh garment. Dyeing usually comes before or after knitting the piece depending on the designs. So, the whole process of recycling cashmere and creating a new piece can take up to 3-4 days as every process is done manually.
What does working in partnership with Thread Tales means to you (and your team)? What difference does it make in yours and their life?
We work with brands from all over the world and what I admire about Thread Tales is the values that they stand for. Each of their designs are very well thought through and have a message behind them which makes them more special. The company has grown significantly over the years and I believe it is because of the new ideas in each collection. The new recycling project especially has helped us reuse the goods that would otherwise sit idle in the store. And most importantly, it has given work to our team members during these difficult times.
What does your craft and this work mean to you?
After finishing my education, I spent most of my time working in this business and it means everything to me to see it succeed and reach new heights. Being one of the very few women entrepreneur in this sector, I wish to help many women who come from different backgrounds and their families eventually making a significant impact in the country economically and socially.
It is a privilege for us to work with Deepa and her team, and to witness her dedication for her business and how much she cares for it as well as the people behind it.
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Are you debating whether to buy a reusable silk face mask because you fear it may be too high maintenance? Then think again, because we are about to show you how easy it is to care for your Thread Tales silk face masks.
Our silk face masks are washing machine safe and can be washed at 60° in line with WHO’s health and safety guidelines. However, please keep in mind that this is not the most environmentally friendly kind of wash and that you can machine wash your mask safely at lower temperatures or can hand wash it in hot water but reducing waste by using less of it. Please use a silk-friendly detergent to keep your mask’s colour shiny and vibrant for longer.
Wash wet or dirty masks as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming mouldy. Wet masks can be hard to breathe through and are less effective than dry masks.
We would recommend air drying your mask by flattening it to restore its original shape and laying it carefully on an airer, away from direct sunlight.
Ironing your mask will get any creases out and leave you with a nicely pressed face mask that is more comfortable to wear. If you are ironing silk, ensure you have got the iron on the silk setting.
The heat from the ironing also helps to eliminate unwanted germs, bacteria and viruses, especially if steam ironing.
Easy tips and techniques to give your favourite cashmere pieces a long, beautiful life.
]]>Whether they are made of virgin or recycled cashmere, new or vintage heirlooms, cashmere items are well worth looking after. Their silky softness and unparalleled warmth make them irreplaceable. So here are a few tips to help you care for them and enjoy your favourite cashmere piece over and over again.
As part of our Better Friday campaign this year we are taking the days of the worldwide Sales Weekend as an opportunity to raise awareness on why fair pricing and thoughtful purchasing matter.
Woven into every Thread Tales piece there are many hours of work, incredible skill and craftsmanship and, most importantly, a great deal of care and dedication. We believe that skill, industry and meticulousness should be rewarded, which is why we take pride in ensuring our partners are always retributed fairly. Our prices reflect this commitment.
Thanks to our talented, hard-working Artisans, we are able to offer to our customers the highest standards of quality and sustainability. In turn, Thread Tales offers a marketplace where our Artisans’ fine craftsmanship is justly valued and showcased, and our partners trust us to price the product of their work fairly to make sure everyone within the Thread Tales ecosystem keeps on prospering. The relationship between us and our partners is a positive feedback loop: we thrive off of benefiting each other.
You may have read about Nay Win and Moe Moe , the most recent addition to the Thread Tales team-at-large. They recently shared a letter with us (which you can find in the first issue of our Thread Tales Magazine, explaining why their partnership with Thread Tales matters. We have asked the couple a few more questions about how their relationship with Thread Tales began, how they feel about their work and what it means for them.
Let's get to know you: tell us about yourselves, your business and what you do?
We are Nay Win and Moe Moe. We live in Nyaung Shwe Town, close to the Inle lake, in Myanmar.
I have been working in the tourism industry as hotel staff member from 2001 to 2006. Then, I went to Tour Guide training school and I had been working as a guide until now. It was my hobby and my dream to work with the international tourists as a guide, showcase our natural beauty and explain about our country and the life of our people. I was so proud of myself in my professional job.
One day (28 February 2017), I got to meet Katherine, who was very interested in the typical Inle hand-weaving with Lotus and Mandalay silk. It was a great chance for me to meet them and to show them to our hand-weaving cottage industry.
I started to work with her translating and helping with communications between the workshop and the business. We have known Thread Tales and Katherine since then and since then we have had a very good partnership. I was very happy to do that.
Moe Moe had been working as a tailor since 2004, before I married her. She is very good at this and at making clothes for the girls for special ceremonies with our traditional designs. We married on 26 June 2008. Now, we have two children, my daughter Phyo Phyo, who is 10 years, and my son Zwe Zwe, who is nearly 1 and a half. We both work hard by saving our income to make a beautiful family life for ourselves.
Moe Moe and Phyo Phyo
We were not happy when WHO announced the COVID-19 had spread to a pandemic. Both our jobs were cancelled, and it was a very unexpected thing that happened to everyone else too. With almost no job and no income at all, we did not know what to do. Mow Moe started making very simple masks for us and to share with the neighbourhood to prevent the virus to spread in our community.
One day, on 10 May, I got a lovely message from Katherine. She taught us the way to make very good masks according to WHO guidelines. After testing for two weeks, Moe Moe could make the first sample mask with hand-woven in Inle lake Lotus silk and Mandalay silk for Thread Tales. Moe Moe has made 900 masks, 900 bags, 23 headbands and 20 scrunchies between June and the first week of November for Thread Tales!
It allows us a very good living during this hard situation, and we have saved the money for our future. Thanks again to Thread Tales for this job!
The dyers in the local community working on our silk.
The eco-dye is used several times to ensure no dye pigment is wasted.
How long does making a mask take? How much work goes into it?
Moe Moe can make about 12 masks a day.
What does working in partnership with Thread Tales means to you? What difference does it make in your life?
To be honest, we are very proud to work with them and grateful for selling our hand-made masks. Thanks to our each of the valuable customers who are buying and using our mask, which means you are also supporting many families via Thread Tales in Myanmar, such as weaver families, embroiderers families.
Thread Tales means getting an income for all of us during this hard time. It’s a good thing in our life. Katherine supported to us by sharing how to make masks with this special design and gave us pattern to make it easy for us to produce them. We learned a lot from her.
Making masks can help people to save their life and stop spreading the virus from one to another, which is one of the best ways to stop this virus. So, in conclusion, we both are wishing to live in healthy world soon and may all the people who live in this world be safe from the virus and be strong!