Sustainable Brands – Mayamiko and Minna
Sustainable Brands – Mayamiko and Minna
Mayamiko
Established in 2013 by Paola Masperi, Mayamiko is a clothing brand based out of Malawi, Africa. The brand was formed five years after Masperi established Mayamiko Trust, a nonprofit focused on helping the disadvantaged citizens she met during her travels in Africa. The organization trains disadvantaged women from the area who care for HIV orphans, or have been affected by the HIV pandemic in sewing and tailoring.
Image courtesy of Mayamiko
The clothing is made from African printed cotton that has been locally sourced at markets. Bright prints and bold patterns mark the collections, many cut in trendy and flirtatious styles, others in uncomplicated and accessible fashions. The pricing is accessible as well – the newest season ranging from £19 to £79.
Image courtesy of Mayamiko
The ideals behind the brand run deep. The clothing is made in the Mayamiko Lab of the Trust, paying livable wages and providing safe and hygienic working conditions, and a nutritious meal each day. A full list of the ethical promises the brand maintains is available on their website.
Minna
Minna provides made-to-order bridal wear, designed and produced in London, England. The silks used in each piece are sourced from around the world, mixed with vintage and certified fairtrade and organic fabrics. Zero-waste pattern cutting is used to minimize fabric waste, and manufacturing is kept local.
Image courtesy of Minna
The brand is focused more on providing for individual bridal gown experiences for their customers. Simple gowns feature lace and ribbons, offering elegant styles that easily mesh vintage and modern. “We want, more than anything else to help brides to find their dream dress, without paying excessive price tag, “ the website states. “We do not believe in bridal trends. Instead, we listen to our customers and design our collections around them. Our brides are women from all walks of life, size and age and we love being part of their special day.” Minna recently launched Indiebride, a brand focused on providing shorter dresses with a quicker turnaround time.
Image courtesy of Minna
Along with bridalwear, the Minna creates bridesmaid dresses, bridal accessories, children’s clothing, and vintage homewares. Hailing from Finland, the designer behind the brand Minna Hepburn has been creating the dreamy, alternative dresses from eco-friendly materials since 2008. The brand was selected by the British Fashion Council in 2009 to benefit from the Eco Fashion Mentor Programme, and was an Elle Style Award Winner in 2011.
Sustainable Brands – Mayamiko and Minna
