It’s Fashion Revolution Week (23 – 29 April 2018) and we’re supporting the global movement that is calling for a fairer, safer, cleaner more transparent Fashion industry by introducing you to the small leather goods factory we work with, as well as donating 10% of online sales during this week to Fashion Revolution.

Inspired by Fashion Revolution’s campaign towards positive change and greater transparency, we are determined to be more open about our supply chain and would like to use Fashion Revolution Week this year and on going as an opportunity to talk about it.

The most important part of our supply chain is the people that make our product. We work with a midlands based factory called Mowbray Leather Goods, who specialise in making small leather goods from vegetable tanned leathers.

The photo above is the team at Mowbray.

From left to right:

They are a modest bunch (and it turns out a little camera shy) yet highly skilled at what they do. We have the ultimate respect for them, as they are the ones that have the ability to turn our ideas and simple mocks into beautifully finished product.

There are not many leather goods factories in the UK, so we feel in incredibly fortunate to be working with a manufacturer of Mowbray's standard, located so close to where we live and work.

5 years ago, we knocked on their door with a sample of a Key Wrap and Simple Card Holder asking Minh (the factory owner) if they could improve on the quality and effectively support us in starting our small business. We certainly didn’t sweep them off their feet when we placed an order for 30. When it comes to the longevity of our working relationship, it seems loyalty grows from mutual respect and understanding not necessarily order size.

Making in the UK and visiting our factory regularly means we are content with the knowledge that the people that make our products are working in a safe environment where there is a friendly atmosphere, and they are protected by the employment laws that we are privileged to have in this country.

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Join the Fashion Revolution...

On 24 April 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed. There were five garment factories in the building all manufacturing clothing for big global brands. 1,138 people died and another 2,500 were injured, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history.

It sent shockwaves through the industry. How could such a terrifying event occur in the 21^st century?

Fashion Revolution was born, campaigning for a more accountable industry, where dignity of toil and a safe environment are a standard and not an exception.

A global movement helping to guide both brands and consumers in what steps we can take to encourage a more sustainable, fairer industry. Prompting consumers to ask #WhoMadeMyClothes and brands to respond with the stories and photos of the people who made them.  Ultimately giving consumers more knowledge in order to vote with their wallets, supporting brands that hold values they believe to be important.

Fashion Revolution believes in a fashion industry that values people, planet, creativity and profit in equal measure and that positive change starts with transparency, traceability and openness.

For more information, their website is fashionrevolution.org and follow @fash_rev on Instagram.

You can also support the movement by donating here.