Fashion Scraps | Turning scrap fabric into sustainable clothing

Fashion Scraps

Turning scrap fabric into sustainable clothing

by Cristina Deptula

Mimi, founder of sustainable fair-trade clothing line KHANUN, finds inspiration for patterns from a variety of materials. She collects pieces such as tablecloths, bedspreads, linen from the 60s and 70s, as well as vintage caravan curtains and repurposes them into new, one-of-a-kind clothes. ‘Bringing fabric back to life’ is how she describes that process.

Now 26, Mimi began gathering interesting items in her early twenties: flower power fabrics, terry cloth towels, handcrocheted bedspreads. She taught herself increasingly complex sewing skills, feeling inside that somehow sewing came naturally to her. Recycling fabric scraps reflects Mimi’s other passion besides sewing—environmental sustainability.

Not only are you buying sustainable and ethically made products but you are purchasing one-of-a-kind items that no one else will have or wear. By recycling the old, this enables us to be kind to the earth. Through re-purposing we are creating less landfill.

The names of her collections—Crimson and Clover, Island in the Sun, When The Moon Was Blue—reflect that unique combination of nature, relaxation, enjoyment, and hippie nostalgia. They’re a mix of feminine and elegant florals and more sporty rompers and patchwork outfits.

She’s an animal lover, and KHANUN is named after an elephant in a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand, the Surin Project, where she spent quite a bit of time. Mimi hopes that she can raise awareness of the Surin Project and other similar efforts through her clothing line. She mentions that she’s seen poor treatment of animals and unethical, unsustainable tourism and wants to show more positive alternatives.

Read more at https://issuu.com/rareluxuryliving/docs/raremagazinesustainablepages/202