Tuesday 31 August 2010

Rabens Saloner - New In - AW10


' If a thing can be done by hand and at a fair price, we will prefer it to the industrial alternative '.


' Most of our items manufactured in the Far East and come out of little workrooms and family businesses. Village dressmakers, leather smiths, bone-polishers and armies of knitting grandmas contribute to every new collection '.

It goes without saying that we concentrate on promoting sustainability in all countries of origin. In return, what you get is a unique product that may vary in colour and texture, but will carry its own subtle signature.


' We like this procedure, not just out of respect for handicraft and age-old tradition, but because a lot of our designs take shape in the cross between flair for fashion and skilled Asian craftsmanship '.



' So much inspiration can be gathered from local artisans if you show them that you appreciate their skills and admire their traditions. It’s a kind of mutual fertilization, if you keep an open mind, amazing things can emerge from it '.


' Rabens Saloner is a state of mind, a cross between wearable fashion and a genuine love for traditional craftsmanship.




' In part it’s a reaction to a fashion scene that has become too fashionable, too gimmicky and too predictable.




' We try to design things to wear that make life easier, well made garments that grow on you and have less to do with the battle cry of the season '.


' The only thing we can say for sure is that, at Rabens Saloner, we strive to make things that look good on you; that we will sell them at prices you can afford, and that we are prepared to travel far to make ends meet '.







Rabens Saloner



Rabens Saloner at Wild Swans

Monday 30 August 2010

Aymara - Fashion Ethics/ Aesthetics


Aymara design and produce knitwear of the finest lama wool, Cashlama from the highlands of Bolivia.

A very chic knitted bolero with detailed shoulders

' Transparency is essential in the world and philosophy of Aymara. Transparency in what we do, and how we do it '.

The strategy of Aymara has always been to wage everything on an ethical production and on Bolivias raw materials, selecting only the best natural fibers and processing them, where they have their origin.




The quality cashlama is only produced in Bolivia and is a newly discovered and very unique material.

Aymara get deeply involved in the process of improving the ethical standards at the factory and working towards an ethical manufacturing certification. This process has benefited from financial support from Danida, the Danish Government's development program for developing countries.


Aymara make ethics and aesthetics join hands.




Babylama wool Blazer - its super soft and you will never be cold this autumn !





Aymara have a very ethical approach to the sourcing and manufacturing of their products.



Aymara has chosen to manufacturer its garments where the material and expertise have its' origin even if it means that Aymara cannot always find manufacturers who live up to the high social and environmental standards that Aymara insist on.

Aymara at Wild Swans





Aymara