Meet the Brand: Indilisi
We’re thrilled to welcome Indilisi to our Affiliate community - the new brand from sustainable fashion champion Safia Minney, author of a number of books on the industry and one of our OG inspirational figures.
Safia, give us a little insight to where Indilisi sprang from and what the brand’s core intention is?
Credit: Indilisi
Indilisi is the name of my 6-year-old daughter at the time, an imaginary friend, who lived through the knots in the wood in a magical world of nature. I’ve been doing sustainable fashion for three decades, and what strikes me is that if we are to reduce the consumption of new clothing by 75% or more, to perhaps 5 pieces of new fashion a year, then we should be buying more hand crafted pieces, through Fair Trade, to support organic farmers and artisans in the Global South. Celebrating craft skills and regenerating soils, ecosystems and communities. Craft is the key to a Just transition and redistributing the wealth of the fashion industry. And, Handwoven, organic cotton is so comfortable to wear - it’s real fabric.
It looks like you have a pretty sparkling team behind the brand - what’s everyone bringing to the table?
I’m so lucky that great people came together to work with me on Indilisi! Caryn Franklin is a mate and has been supportive from the beginning in so many ways. Shayla Sakora, an MA Sustainable Fashion and Business intern joined to work with me on design and has continued working on the project. Then, Brett Staniland, who is working on menswear and social media, Louisa Harris on strategy, Kate Osborne on marketing, Caroline Garland on PR, and other amazing people are lending a hand.
What’s your favourite piece in the collection so far?
I like them all as I designed them with Shayla and Brett! I wear the sundress and have had a lot of compliments on it. It’s great for day times and evenings and dresses up well.
Credit: Indilisi
Tell us about including the sale of surplus fabrics as part of your business model?
When I ran People Tree before 2015, designers and brands would ask me for fabrics and we could not supply them. I love the idea of people creating their own creations from organic cotton fabrics. Indilisi also sells organic and Fairtrade certified fabrics to makers, designers, and UK-based brands. These are high-quality, support organic cotton farmers, and are made with 70% renewable energy. They are great value as they are surplus fabrics imported from India by sea freight. So, if you’re looking for fabric for your next dress or blouse or denim project we have some great fabrics for you and bulk discounts for larger orders.
How did you find your partners in Bangladesh, Kenya and India?
These are fair trade groups and social enterprises that I have known for a long time and also one that I met on my recent research on the green shoots of a regenerative fashion industry.
What are your aspirations for the brand in its first few months and years after the launch?
We are building a community and movement of hand craft that honours the wearer, organic farmers and artisans. We hope that people will join and spread the word.