Earth Matters: Second Nature

This season Katherine Maunder has focussed on a return to nature with her Earth Matters collection.

Everyone seems to be talking about ‘sustainability’. This awakening is magic and vital but it’s important that we don’t become saturated by the word itself, dulled and indifferent to its significance. For Thread Tales, sustainability has never been a ‘thing’. For them it has always been a natural way of working. Katherine’s intent is to reflect this in her S/S2020 range, with nature as the ultimate inspiration for an optimistic and vibrant message. Sustainability should not function as a buzz word but ultimately, be second nature.

The Impressionist Painter’s Palette  

Maunder spent much of her childhood playing in a nature reserve managed by her father, being woken early to hear the dawn chorus and allowed to stay up until after dark to watch the badgers play. In Earth Matters, she plays with the child-like fascination for the natural world reflected in the paintings of Jules De Balincourt. The transient, bright and bold yet fragile elements of the natural landscape are captured in this collection with a fresh interpretation of the impressionist artist's view on nature. Colours are bright, vibrant, euphoric, exuding the bold optimism and energy of nature as it emerges and thrives in a new season. The fluid textures and drape of Summer sun Kimonos and wraps caress, whilst fringing, bold patterning, long lines and layering with tunic-style kaftans give a relaxed, upscale bohemian feel. Hand dip-dyes, space dyes, brushed stripes and hand-crafted knits add a textural style synonymous with Thread Tales.  

The Raw Materials  

This collection introduces new yarn blends, including Hand Spun Cashmere with organic Cotton for a rich, textured yet lightweight yarn. New processing methods are showcased: space-dyed yarn creates a unique tonal and textural pattern and hand dip-dye is used to frame superfine wool with a softly blurred, ivory edge.  Thread Tales’ exquisite cashmere is now hand-brushed for a sublime hand-feel or, even more exciting- hand-felted with a secret process that their Artisans employ to create a supreme comforting softness.  

Summer kimonos are cleverly fashioned from one hand-woven rectangular piece of fabric. No Cutting, no off-cuts, zero waste.  

Katherine sees her textiles as a wordless language, communicating our choices as makers and wearers. Throughout their journey from the seed of an idea to a luxurious creation, Thread Tales pieces cleverly weave and interlace the lives and stories of the Artisans, suppliers and the animals and plants with whom we share this planet.  

About Thread Tales. 

Our philosophy, ‘Wear Something That Means Something’ inspires us to go beyond the point of creating stunning design to achieve exceptional quality without compromise. 

From sourcing sustainable yarn to supporting our partners creatively and ethically, we aim to create long-term opportunities. Thread Tales ensure a liveable wage and good working conditions through direct relationships, enabling us to be honest, transparent and to effect positive change. 

Awarded the prestigious Butterfly Mark as a Brand to Trust by Positive Luxury, we aspire to make a significant contribution to the ethical fashion revolution.