2021: A Year in retrospective
2021: A Year in retrospective
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.
We entered the wellness space
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.
We strengthened our bonds with our local network
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.
Our fair marketplace kept supporting our community of Artisans
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.
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A new wellbeing-centric collection. Our Ancestral Wellness collection, featuring wellbeing-enhancing fabrics, our rigorously non-toxic dyes, and multi-purpose items conceived to accompany you along your self-care journey.
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Introducing a new category: loungewear + wellness accessories. Harem pants, joggers, and our first matching hoodie and trousers set, designed for comfortable and versatile wears. And then sleep-masks, the ultimate wellness accessory, crafted for easy care and easy rest.
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A new material: Eri Silk. Our Ancestral Wellness collection features another unique Thread Tales blend composed of Cashmere and Eri Silk, a cruelty-free and regenerative alternative to traditional Silk.
- Ikat homeware and accessories. Our exquisite Ikat homeware and accessories line has enabled us to provide much needed work to our Myanmar-based Artisans currently facing the double thread of COVID and military tumult in the region.
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Thread Tales x La-Eva collaboration featuring Women Fibre to Fashion. Our limited-edition Lotus Silk masks created in partnership with Oxford-based organic lifestyle and body-care brand La-Eva, realised by the team of Women Fibre to Fashion, a Delhi-based humanitarian institution supporting and upskilling victims of human trafficking.
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Zero Waste Art. We have partnered with textile artist Kinga Foldi, who has created two Lotus flower-shaped sculptures from leftover cuts of our Lotus Silk fabric.
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EcoCart: greener check-outs. Shopping from our online store is now even more sustainable: thanks to our partnership with EcoCart customers can now offset the cost of their product’s freight and shipping for pennies at checkout. The proceeds are collected into donations in support of the Myanmar’s mangrove forests.
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Book Club Upgrade with Bookshop.org. We are now affiliate partners of Bookshop.org, an organisation that supports independent booksellers. You can easily shop our Book Club suggestions from our dedicated page.
- Issue 2 of Thread Tales Magazine. In October we successfully published the second issue of Thread Tales magazine entirely dedicated to wellbeing: https://www.flipsnack.com/threadtalesmagazine/thread-tales-magazine-issue-2-october-2021-zcfdiind1j.html.
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Press coverage and features. From leading sustainability publication Sublime Magazine to Chinese lifestyle magazine Magnifissance to The Times, we have caught the eye of the press with a number of features. Our Ombre Fringe Scarf in Wine was also chosen by Julie Montagu for her Heartfulness guided meditation video.
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LCF Collaboration. Once again, this year we are joined by the students the University of the Arts London – London College of Fashion for their yearly Collaborative Unit and a special Collaborative Challenge, both focused on promoting more sustainable practices in the fashion industry.
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SoShiro Gallery with The Loved Object. Over the Christmas period, we were part of the curated selection of makers and artisans exhibited at SoShiro gallery, in Marylebone, as part of a unique shopping experience that brings together art, architecture, craft, luxury and ethics.
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Events. From a traditionally Tibetan Tihar celebration at La-Eva studio to a Conscious Christmas market at Asthall Manor in collaboration with fellow ethical brands, in 2021 we have co-organised special thoughtful events.
- Better Friday in support of Maggie’s. This year we put our ethical Thread Tales spin to Black Friday with our second Better Friday initiative. This time we matched our sales with scarf donations in support of Maggie’s, an Oxford-based charitable institution that supports people with cancer.