Responsibility
Sustainability and community
AFRICAN SEWING PROJECT, RWANDA
The African Sewing Club, founded by Sarah Arnett in partnership with The Rwandan Youth Organisation, was created with a vision to empower women affected by the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. A chance meeting to talk about garment labels turned into a three-year commitment from Sarah.
The project’s primary aim was to teach women how to sew, equipping them with skills that would open opportunities for employment, enabling them to better care for their children and families. Many of these young women had grown up in orphanages and the project provided a path towards financial independence for some, education for others, or a place for supported living for those too traumatised or damaged to live on their own.
Sarah, along with Vivi Umuhozi, raised funds and developed a strategic plan for the project to evolve into a self-sustaining business. She leveraged her fashion industry connections and, together with her long-time collaborator friend Judith Grant, they organised the procurement of sewing machines, donated fabrics and coordinated the shipping of materials to Rwanda.
Sarah and Judith worked closely with the women, creating sewing patterns and establishing training plans. This initiative focused on producing clothes for sale within Rwanda, tapping into local markets and breaking the dependency on external funding.
The African Sewing Club project is designed to foster long-term sustainability and true independence for the women it supports.
UIST WOOL, SOUTH UIST
In 2012, Sarah went on an inspiring research trip to the islands of Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Here she gained a rare insight into the production of Harris Tweed and a deep understanding of the intricate processes involved, from fibre blending to weaving.
Her journey continued to South Uist and her involvement in Uist Wool, a community project that established a carding mill on the island. The initiative focused on using local wool and training local craftspeople, encouraging farmers to switch to rare sheep breeds to produce naturally coloured yarn. Sarah played a pivotal role in the early part of the project, offering guidance on social media, branding and product development through workshops and exercises that fostered ideas for micro-businesses and training.
Uist Wool has flourished, becoming a successful business that provides work for the community and a market for the beautiful local wool.
Production
We only start making your item(s) once you have placed your order. We hold no stock, nor do we produce products beyond need. Our manufacturers and printers use very little water in their manufacturing process, and work with the water board to ensure ink waste is disposed of properly so nothing leaks into the environment.
Our range of 100% vegan, natural, biodegradable and organic products as well as items that we produce from recycled materials use Eco friendly inks, and are sourced from the UK and EU where possible and use FSC certified materials.All our items are produced in a single facility in London, UK. No nasty sweatshops and no horrible surprises. We ensure the best possible working conditions for our staff and do our best to make sure that they are happy at work.
Our manufacturers are experts in making, remaking, and being resourceful. That’s why when you send your garment back, we’re able to recycle the fabric for new uses so it avoids going to the landfill. By sending your clothing back to us, you’re completing the lifecycle of a piece of clothing so it can be dismantled and used for other things.