In 2020 homes undoubtedly became our new microcosm, overnight we turned them into improvised work areas, daycares, workout spaces or creative corners to fit our lifestyle.
We now see our homes in a new light and give them greater value.
In ancient Greek the word “ethos” meant accustomed or familiar place, how relevant this definition sounds today. We must bear in mind that earth is also our "familiar place" and there’s nothing similar that could replace it.
Can we create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony?
Sustainability is a very serious commitment for many, rightly so each day more people get on board to tackle on the environmental issues we all face today. Unfortunately for others it´s a nice campaign slogan to wash away years of innaction. Human impact on the environment plays a substantial roll, reports show that the textile industry alone produces over 100 million tons of fibers each year, and around 15% of it its waste and overstock. One wanders, what´s sustainable about that?
The most common explanation for overproduction is to compensate for possible faulty yardage, like defective fibers, color issues or any other mishaps during the production stage.
In the best case scenario the overstock or surplus fabric gets resold, but unfortunately most gets burned or destroyed due to brand protection rules. Having worked in the fashion industry for many years I know first hand that these procedures are common.
Overproduction its like overcooking, sometimes we do it in case someone else shows up for dinner, and just as food it gets discarded very easily if no one ends up eating it.
Fashion brands are periodically looking for the latest trend, color, print or the new best thing out there, so it’s rare and sometimes highly unpopular to see overstock usage. Regardless of the current situation big retailers haven´t changed much, once more their stores are crammed with heaps of clothing, accesories and more. Some changes may exist, but everything indicates that the mass production cycle continues with no signs of major updates. Which means that in many warehouses, thousands of unwanted fabrics await a new purpose.
THERE MUST BE AN ALTERNATIVE WAY!
This is when new strategies, ideas and curious individuals emerge to make a change. Fortunately, there are many online platforms shedding light on this cause and creating new commercial networks to take advantage of those textile overstocks.
Today the concept of up-cycling which is the process of tranforming waste or unwanted products into something of greater quality or value, has recovered much relevance. As the old saying goes “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
At the beginning of this pandemic before we could find face masks literally down any street, how many of us tried to make our own out of things we had at home? Up-cycling its not new, our grandmothers and mothers have practiced it all their lives.
This is what ÉTICO home is all about, to take unwanted ordinary things and turn them into something new and extraordinary.
A THOUSAND CREATIVE MINDS!
Nowadays there are hundreds of platforms for all types of products, anyone can sell anything online. Still, many talented people, especially housewives, have reservations when it comes to selling or showing their work. If they only knew that there´s a whole world out there eager to find unique things! Perhaps we all know someone who makes special knitted scarves among other things for her grandchildren, but somehow thinks her work doesn’t have a place in today´s market, I beg to differ.
How great would it be to find those hidden treasures and create a community of a Thousand Creative Minds.
Great things are usually the result of similar minds with common ends. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded with encouraging and talented people all my life. This project couldn’t start off without the participation from those I truly admired, so throughout this journey I’ll have the pleasure to show their work and projects. They’re truly a source of inspiration for me.
As a fashion designer I’ve had the great opportunity to travel to so many places around the world, sometimes I was fortunate to return from those trips with unique fabrics I got from local stores. After each trip I made a pledge that I’ll do something special with those fabrics, but I always found some silly excuse to put it aside. Luckily all along I safely kept them in an old wooden trunk. Today I realize that my house has become like those warehouses full of sitting stocks, and after some thought a popular saying comes to mind, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. Can’t think of a better moment to roll up my sleeves, dig out those fabrics and create new things that carry a positive message.
As Danish artist Olafur Eliasson once said; “If I’m gonna somehow say something I better be myself.”
That’s exactly what I pretend to do, just be myself !
“Our authentic creative expression is so unique to us, that if you don’t learn or find a way to express your uniqueness, that will never be seen in the world, it will never be expressed and it will die with you, unexpressed. Because it can only come through you in your own special way.” Haley Manson, Awakening Artist.
I´m eager to share with you the creative process in home textiles, art, pottery or any other sustainable material that comes up.
I would love if you join our community and share your special talent too.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, great things await us in 2021.
Let´s keep dreaming!
BE SUSTAINABLE, BE ÉTICO !