Who Made Your Clothes?
When we first began our journey to create The Simple Folk, it indeed all started with one question: who made our clothes? This question lit a small yet mighty fire within our hearts.
It was (and will remain) one of the primary reasons we set out to make a difference. We felt so compelled to challenge the status quo and to champion the slow fashion movement on behalf of our planet and every human life we touch. These values are truly the essence of everything we do here at The Simple Folk.
So today, we’re sharing an inside look at who makes our clothes, the materials we use, our practices and how you can join us in shifting into a new paradigm that values the health of our world over all else.
Inside The Fashion Revolution Movement
This week, 18th-24th April 2022, is Fashion Revolution Week, the world’s largest activism campaign surrounding the anniversary of the 2013 Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Bangladesh, when so many lost their lives working in incredibly poor conditions.
Fashion Revolution week is one of our favorite movements predicated on the very question of who makes your clothes. It campaigns for reform of the fashion industry with a focus on the need for greater transparency in the fashion supply chain.
Every year, so many inspiring brands make the conscious choice to unsubscribe from fast fashion practices, choosing instead to uplift and uplevel their materials and deliver some truly sustainable products.
The global movement covers three important topics that span the breadth of the most impactful changes we can make both as consumers and creators: #WhoMadeMyClothes, #LovedClothesLast #WhatsInMyClothes
So without further ado, let’s dive into these topics with an aim to embrace a new age of timeless, ethical fashion together.
Our Makers - #WhoMadeMyClothes
From the farmers who grow the fibers to those who weave our fabrics, we consider the social and economic impact of the individuals involved at every stage as well as the wider local community.
Those who cut, sew, and dye our garments are honored, respected, empowered, and we proudly partner with ethical artisans from around the world.
Our woven workshop in Portugal is GOTS certified*, OEKO-TEX® certified, and runs on green energy where power is generated by solar panels and sustainability is prioritized at every turn. We also work with respected artists in Bolivia, Scotland, Spain, and Italy with similar practices.
Everyone who makes our clothes enjoys all of the perks associated with their esteemed profession, including ample breaks and private health care as well as an on site physiotherapist to provide massages and treatments free of charge. The love, pride and recognition of respect for their skills and work is poured into each and every piece we make, and we wouldn't have it any other way. When you purchase from our shop, you’re supporting those involved in every step of making our pieces first and foremost, helping to ensure that unfair working conditions are slowly but surely eradicated.
*SIMÃO & OLGANDO SA, certified by ECOCERT GREENLIFE SAS, license number 00272632.
Our Commitment to Sustainability, Transparency, and Education - #LovedClothesLast
As well as valuing our planet and our partners, we are devoted to every wild-hearted woman and child who wears our clothes.
Small batch, artisan items made in an ethical and sustainable way come at a higher cost than traditional fast fashion and it’s not just because you are investing in quality clothes that will last longer but because your money is going toward paying a living wage and elevating ethical suppliers so they can thrive and grow. It’s important to us that you know what you are paying for and why, so transparency in all that we do is vital.
We want our customers to have all the information they need to make an informed decision and feel good about their purchase. We proudly hold ourselves above reproach when it comes to caring for our co-creators and sourcing sustainable, renewable materials from ethical farmers from around the world.
What’s more, we take a minimalist, non-conforming stance in mindful design. Made with quality and care, in timeless styles, each garment can be loved over and over. Our intention is to create heirloom clothes that can be effortlessly passed between siblings to keep them in circulation for years to come. Every piece in our collection has these values in mind, and we’re determined to prioritize long-term wear to encourage a much needed shift in a healthier direction.
Our Dedication to Natural, Non-Toxic Materials - #WhatsInMyClothes
We search the world for the most ethical, non-toxic, and natural fibers and fabrics we can find—from our rare organic linen grown in the mountains of France with no fertilizers, pesticides, or harsh chemicals to our Econyl® Regenerated Nylon swimwear consciously crafted from fishing nets recycled from our ocean’s waters.
Our Plant-Dyed collection is made using earthen pigments mindfully derived from fruit residues and nutshells, and we proudly carry many pieces in raw, undyed, and organic cotton so they’re as close to nature as you can possibly get (especially perfect for new babies).
With all this in mind, both our children’s and womenswear lines are made to be safe for the well-being of everyone involved, from farm to closet. We prioritize only the cleanest fabrics, from our GOTS certified organic linen, muslin, and cotton to using OKEO-Tex® certified and natural dyes.
For Spring Summer 2022 we went even further to prioritize minimalism, with a heavy focus on co-ord sets that can be mixed and matched over and over again.
Join the Fashion Revolution
Rooted in our desire to make a difference, we’re leading the way toward a more conscious future that prioritizes the health and well-being of both those who make and those who wear our clothes, and chooses earth-friendly practices at each and every turn. And we hope you’ll join us.
To better understand the impacts of the clothing industry specifically and the importance of slow fashion, you might be interested in checking out the following resources:
- The True Cost (documentary)
- Fast Fashion Is Creating An Environmental Crisis (article)
- Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion (book)
When everything you own has a purpose and inspires joy (even the most functional item) we believe it creates a connection between maker and consumer. As part of the Fashion Revolution, we’re committed to closing that gap and encouraging a more conscious and considered way.
If you’re interested in learning more, join our like-minded community of kindred spirits on the path to sustainable living over on Instagram, read more on Our Journal or check out Fashion Revolution for inspiration on how you can contribute to a new framework of fashion that’s truly good for the planet.