Transparency

The fashion industry is notorious for hiding where things are made, and how things are made and then how they are disposed of. Often it's the small businesses that do a better job of transparency, sustainability and doing right by people and planet (which is why I love shopping small so much). That being said, I'm absolutely not perfect. I'm on a journey to build this business by myself and part of that means working it out as I go. But what I can do is try and share with you as much as I can so you can make the right decisions for you. If you have any more questions please do drop me a message!

How are your products designed?

All of designs you see are painted by hand, by me in South East London. Since I was old enough to hold a pencil, I've been drawing and painting. It is really what drives me and brings me the most joy and purpose in life. I'm very passionate about keeping crafts and handmade skills alive. So one thing about Eden May is all our designs are painted in delicate watercolour, usually on handmade cotton rag paper, and inspired by nature. This personal, human aspect will never change as one of the reasons I started Eden May was so that my art could be enjoyed by a wider audience than if it was just up on a wall.

My inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, flowers, the sea and that feeling of being immersed in your surroundings. I start off by sketching lots of different references and often painting from life, and then this evolves into something I think could work on fabric. I share more of this on my art page, @christyepaints so pop me a follow!

Where are your products made?

Our current range is produced in Hangzhou, China by a very experienced silk specialist manufacturer. They are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and GOTS certified to ensure safety and quality. GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It's a globally recognised certification for textiles made from organically produced natural fibres, ensuring that the entire production process is environmentally friendly and socially responsible. They are real experts at what they do. They source locally where possible and use eco-friendly inks from reputable suppliers in China.

From a waste perspective, we produce in limited quantities to avoid unnecessary and harmful overproduction.

What are they made from?

We will always use natural fabrics only. Natural fabrics are not only higher quality and last longer than synthetic fabrics, but they are most importantly biodegradable. So our scarves are made with 100% pure silk twill. My manufacturer is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and GOTS certified, and sources their silk fibres locally from small scale mulberry farms.

How are they made?

The silk is digitally printed using environmentally friendly water-based inks. They are double sided printed, meaning the design is the same and equally vibrant on both sides. They are then hand hemmed for the best quality finish.

Why not made in the UK?

As a small, UK business you might expect us to produce in the UK. However all of our current range is made with pure silk. Silk manufacturers in the UK do not really exist as most, if not all, of the silk in the world comes from China and India. I could work with UK garment manufacturers for the finishing but the raw materials and the printing will still take place in overseas. The number of UK factories that will work with silk is, from my understanding, also limited. So, all in all, it would add significant cost to manufacturing whilst adding little value from a sustainability perspective. 

However, especially given the tariff situation at the moment with the US, it is something I continue to explore and consider. It may mean in future I work with different fabrics. Your feedback is always welcome on this.

How did I find my manufacturer?

I often get this question from others trying to start their own brands. My background is not in fashion, and I'm still a novice learning. But I would say it is like working with any agency or supplier (which I do have experience in). So I would say, do your research, be prepared, get them excited about you too, ask the right questions, and trust your gut when it comes to who you are talking to.