TRANSPARENCY
Novae Zelandiae takes a holistic approach, incorporating slow design and transparency into her work.
All Novae Zelandiae sous-vêtements are made in Battersea, London.
To see the full collection please visit:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NOVAEZELANDIAE
Novae Zelandiae believes in creating small changes, to continually be educated and be adaptable. Do what you can, use what you already have.
Below is full transparency on each resource that comes together to make Novae Zelandiae sous-vêtements, from the environmental impact, packaging, labour, pricing and fabric sourcing.
Novae Zelandiae chooses to work with natural fibers; cotton, silk and bamboo. Novae Zelandiae works to reduce the use of synthetic materials, that can take 20 - 200 years to decompose.
Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world, second only to the oil industry.
The True Cost is a highly recommended documentary that questions, who is really paying the price of fast fashion. From the cost to the farmers, the workers, the factory owners and the environment.
Workroom
All Novae Zelandiae sous-vêtements are made in the United Kingdom, from a shared studio & apartment in Battersea, London. All sampling, pattern drafting, cutting, design and construction, are produced in house.
~ Made in the United Kingdom, shared studio & living space, in house production.
Silk
Novae Zelandiae sources silk from the fabric houses of Berwick Street Soho, The Cloth House and The Berwick St Cloth House. In South Kensington from Shaukat & Company.
~ Supporting local business, low carbon footprint.
- Silk is made from the cocoons of the farmed silk moth, the cocoons are placed in hot water which kills the moth. Non vegan product.
Bamboo
Novae Zelandiae sources bamboo fabric as used in the ‘Organic Bamboo Calecon’ from The Offset Warehouse, based in Harrow, United Kingdom. The bamboo fabric is from Nepal.
Continued supply is currently on hold until further notice, due to the devastating disaster on April 25th, 2015.
~Azo-Free, Co-Op, Fair Wage, Low Energy, Low Impact Dyes, No Finishes, No Genetically Modified Crops, Sustainable.
~ECOCERT, IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements), OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association), Oeko-Tex, Registered NGO, USDA National Organic Program, WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization.)
- Bamboo is processed to soften the fibres into fabric. This is sometimes done with the use of chemicals, the bamboo used for our garments is IFOAM & Oeko-Tex Certified.
Organic Cotton
Novae Zelandiae sources the cotton used in ‘Organic Cotton French Underwear in White Dots’ from The Organic Cotton Biz based in Machynlleth, Wales ~ Supporting UK Small Businesses, GOTS certified, Fair trade uncertified.
Liberty of London Cotton
Novae Zelandiae sources Liberty print fabric from Shaukat & Company in South Kensington.
~ Supporting UK design, supporting local business, low carbon footprint, biodegradable fabric.
- Information is unavailable regarding Liberty of London's fabric sourcing.
Cotton
Novae Zelandiae sourced the fabric used in the 'Cotton French Underwear in Picnic' and 'Cotton French Underwear in Peach' from Shaukat & Company in South Kensington.
~ Supporting local business, low carbon footprint.
- Information is unavailable regarding how fabric is sourced by Shaukat & Company.
Elastine
Our elastine is sourced from Moll, who makes all their elastine onsite. Based in Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
~ Supporting United Kingdom small businesses, made in the United Kingdom.
- Elastic is a synthetic rubber. Currently looking for a sustainable rubber source.
Satin ribbon is sourced from Jewel Mania, based in the United Kingdom.
~ Supporting United Kingdom small businesses.
- Satin ribbon is a synthetic product.
Gift boxes are sourced from Fold-a-box, based in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom.
~Supporting United Kingdom small businesses.
Recycled packaging used to wrap sous-vestments for postage, is currently purchased from my local Rymans stationary store * currently looking for a Eco supplier.
~ Recycled products, low carbon footprint.
Thread is currently being replaced with organic thread and organic silk thread. Organic thread is sourced from The Offset Warehouse and The Organic Cotton Biz. ~Supporting United Kingdom small businesses, organic.
Novae Zelandiae Labels
, were sourced from a shop on Etsy *Unfortunately she is no longer producing.
~Supporting European small business.
Waste All items used in production are recycled or reused.
Labour
Is costed at the United Kingdom Living Wage of £9.40 per hour.
Pricing of sous-vêtements
The pricing of all garments is based on the following formula.
Fabric + trims + packing & paper + admin + labour = Fair Trade Price
£ 6.00 + £ 1.99 + £1.99 + £1.00 + (£9.40 x 2) = £29.78 Trade price.
Example: The Silk French Underwear in 'Marie Antoinette blue' were made from silk which is £30 per metre, from this metre of fabric five pairs were made. Admin costs include listing & transaction fees from Etsy which is 3.5% per garment + 0.20 USD per listing, this is charged at £1.00.
A fair trade price helps to source fabric to develop new garments.
Why should I pay a fair trade price?
A fair trade price covers the expenses that go beyond the cost of making a garment.
A fair trade price helps the craftsperson grow their business.
+ Designers are able to purchase resources to make new products
+ Start paying back loans, they may of occurred to start the business, such as buying tools
+ Are able to invest in developing new products
+ Are able to work towards being self sufficient
