Sometimes, when I’m feeling really ambitious, I purchase some fabric and try to make clothing of my own. Every time that I do, I probably only use about 70% of the fabric and throw away the rest. If my fabric is clogging up landfills, imagine a huge clothing manufacturer! This is why I’ve fallen in love with zero-waste fashion after being introduced to Tonlé.
I met Rachel Faller, designer and owner of zero-waste brand, Tonle, at a fashion show in December. Tonlé is making a name for themselves by experimenting with the most innovative and traditional design techniques, while staying zero waste all the way from manufacturing, to packaging.
There are two ways zero waste fashion can be produced:
- Using remnant materials/scraps
- Creating a pattern that uses 100% of the material
Rachel’s pieces are recognizably unique, I personally fell in love with her knits. I have already received so many compliments on this cozy poncho. It’s woven from “unusable” fabric scraps from large scale fast fashion manufacturers.
I’m especially excited to start wearing this relaxed kaftan to the beach and on date nights. Spring and summer, here I come!
At the fashion show I died over the beachy styles the models were wearing on the runway. The Tonle pop-up shop had so many pretty knit pieces and chic leather bags that are hand sewn from old bike seats. If you’re ever in the San Francisco Bay Area you should visit their shop, I know I will when I visit the family in NorCal.
Shop Tonle’s zero waste fashion pieces, including this poncho and kaftan here.
xo,
