SLOW FASHION

We design limited-edition collections, consciously and only order in very small quantities. Our products are made by hand and as slowly as the different processes require. Our patchwork quilts take 8 days to complete. Our block prints go through many different processes, from the carving of the blocks to the final washing, which means it is a long journey from designing in our studio to when the product reaches you. During the monsoon season, things come to a standstill as due to the rain and humidity printing becomes difficult. These timescales and challenges would be unheard of in the world of fast fashion.

 SUPPLY CHAIN

At the centre of ainoah are small family-owned workshops and artisans who skilfully print our textiles, lovingly hand-stitch our kantha quilts and dolls and weave our rugs. It is important for us to know where our collections are made. We have met all our suppliers in person, and we work closely with them to create and maintain long-lasting personal and working relationships, ensuring that our vision and goals are aligned. We conduct regular trips to India, not to have a quick meeting as would be the case when working for a large organisation, but rather to spend time with the artisans, exchanging mutual knowledge and getting to know them. This is a privilege and the best part of what we do.

Our block printing artisans work in safe and clean environments and are fairly paid a monthly salary rather than working on a per piece remuneration. Most of the artisans have been working at the same workshop for many years.

Our women-led co-operative has allowed its artisans to find financial independence and achieve immense personal growth. They now provide training and support to over 500 women from marginalised and oppressed communities

Our project working along Afghan refugees, where the women workers are often the sole breadwinners, has given these women and their families a chance to start a new life.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our working practices.

MODERN SLAVERY

We are dedicated to ensuring that neither we nor our suppliers engage in or support any form of modern slavery.

PROTECTING CRAFT SKILLS

Our brand is built from a passion for craft and a desire to keep old-age traditions alive. We work with a block printing workshop that has led big changes locally and has ensured that communities that were at risk of displacement have been able to stay, and their crafts protected. You can read more here.

NATURAL AND RECYCLED MATERIALS

We only use natural fabrics which are of Indian origin, as are our trims. We seek to use recycled materials where possible, using our remnants to make our dolls and locally sourced deadstock for our kantha quilts.

All our hang tags are hand-printed, one by one, and created out of cotton paper, made from waste from the textile industries. They are completely tree-free. You can learn more about our recycled paper here.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

We strive to create as little environmental impact as possible but there will always be things we can do better. We are learning every day, and we are on a journey towards working in the most sustainable way we can.

We are keen to reduce our use of plastic and where possible have removed all unnecessary packaging from our overseas shipments and our deliveries to you.

Our packaging suppliers have sustainability as one of their core values.

We send most of our orders in 100% recycled mailers, giving materials already in circulation a second life.

Our quilts and dolls are sent in cardboard boxes made from recycled materials, the percentage of which ranges from 60% to 90% . This cardboard is one of the most easily recycled resources in the UK.

The tissue paper that your orders are beautifully wrapped in, is printed with soy-based inks, on FSC-certified, recycled paper, and is acid, sulphur, and lignin-free. This means it doesn't release chemicals as it breaks down so it is compostable and can also be recycled.

Our stickers are are made from FSC-certified paper and printed with soy-based inks as well as being 100% compostable.

The postcards that come with the orders are made from 100% FSC-certified, recycled materials, and printed with water-based inks. They are recyclable.

Our block-printed quilts, kimonos and pyjamas come in matching tote bags. Our dolls come in lovely branded recycled paper boxes, with zero plastic packaging.