Elena Garcia’s EcoCredo!

One of my favorite things about spring and summer is the way the ever-present sun casts a new light on old situations. I think it has something about the sharpness of the rays, the extended hours in the sky and the shadows cast… the culmination of these things can lead to a lot of insight if you are willing to it the proper attention.

Moving on…

Today’s designer is the super-talented Elena Garcia. Born in Spain but based in London since 1992, Elena Garcia originally trained as a linguist, specializing in Public Services Interpreting. Her interpreter’s job has led her to work with many local groups and has made her aware of the problems faced by migrant communities and people in penitentiary institutions. Following her passion for design, in 2001 she decided to re-train as a designer and went back to education, finishing a degree in Surface Textiles for Fashion at the London College of Fashion.

Elena’s work blends daring design, traditional techniques, and luxurious, eco-friendly textiles to create beautiful, timeless pieces for women of all ages.

Elena’s ecocredo:

Our Ecocredo. Organic, Pesticide free, Fair trade, Local, Ethical, Sustainable.

Like you, we are concerned about the welfare of our planet. We often think about our children and wonder what problems they will be faced with for generations to come. As creators – as designers – as business owners – we have a responsibility to do what we can to preserve our world, so we source locally whenever possible, and we only use fabrics that are rapidly renewable and pesticide-free.

Our A/W collection features silks farmed from silk worms and mulberry trees that are pesticide-free and silk yarn processed without chemicals. Most of our wool comes from British Blue Faced Leicester sheep that are reared organically. The garments are handcrafted in our studio or by small local manufacturers and social enterprise units, giving something back to the community. The dyes we use are free of metal, amine, and azo compounds, and specialised dyeing is done in our studio. Batch dyeing is sent to a local dyeing company. All promotional materials are printed on FSC certified paper using vegetable inks.

At present we work with the HEBA Women’s Project in Brick Lane, London, and have plans to collaborate with the Working Chance Community Project, a local charity that aims to re-insert women in society after they have been in prison.

Her clothes are beautiful, good for the environment and good for the community… definitely a designer after my own heart!