Orchard Moon

What does a better tomorrow look like to you?

A better tomorrow for me is a fashion and textile industry which uses only bio-based and recycled and regenerated fibres. A future where technology and creativity are united to create solutions to the issues of animal exploitation, waste production, deforestation and climate change. I’d like to see a circular textiles industry where all materials and components can be sustainably recycled.

I’d like to see an end to fast fashion and low-quality garments and hope that people come to appreciate the craftsmanship and expertise which has gone into creating the clothing and accessories they wear.

One book everyone should read?

The Wardrobe Crisis by Clare Press. She also has a fabulous podcast which covers everything to do with fashion and sustainability and features discussions with highly respected professionals in the industry.

What made you start your business?

I was a successful pattern designer working freelance and I wanted to combine my love of pattern design and colour with my passion for sustainability. I wanted to create a luxury brand which uses vegan cellulose-based fibres to create clothing which feels amazing, looks amazing and is good for people and the planet.

What do you wish people knew about your journey?

I studied Textiles at University and have a natural curiosity to understand the science which underlies everything. This curiosity led me to investigate the way materials are made and I uncovered the dirty truth about the fashion industry, sparking a lifelong desire to change it from the inside.

How do you cut through the noise and greenwashing / social-washing at your brand?

Sustainability and ethics form the core principles of Orchard Moon, for me, it couldn’t be any other way. The whole concept is built on respect, kindness, and well-being – putting people and the planet first. I stand with my brand to uphold our principles and be accountable. I believe that our honesty and passion for ethical and sustainable production rings clear as a bell through the noise of fast fashion brands greenwashing.

What inspires your designs/products?

As an artist and print designer I find inspiration in the natural world, I love painting and drawing plants and flowers, and creating unique, colourful prints which celebrate the beauty of nature. Our garment designs are inspired by lux leisure time; we elevate pyjamas and resort wear to a new level by using the finest sustainable materials, highest-quality craftsmanship and unique exclusive prints to bring the worlds of luxury and sustainability together.

What’s been your proudest moment so far at your brand?

I am so proud of all the amazing press coverage we have received. We are on the radar for many highly respected fashion journalists and are so proud to have been featured in over 30 articles in our first year, including Grazia, Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire, Conde Nast Traveller, Cosmopolitan and more.

Best way to recharge?

Physically the best way to recharge is to close your eyes. If you have a hectic schedule like me, where your home, work and leisure time is all blended together, my bedroom is my sanctuary.

Creatively the best way to recharge is to get out and about, spending time in nature; walking in the forest, and visiting the parks to smell the grass and admire the flowers. I also love to be around people, to visit shops in real life, see what else is out there and observe how people wear their clothes.

What value do you value the most in yourself?

I have a very strong moral compass, so I am very sensitive to issues like social justice and the environment. I don’t understand how people can hurt other people, or animals or exploit the earth for resources and be ok with it. It gives me honesty and integrity and is the driving force behind my desire to make a positive impact.

What is your most treasured item? Why?

One of my most treasured items is a baseball cap which was given to me when the sailboat I was working on in my early twenties took part and won the 2007 St Barth’s bucket race. I was so proud to be a member of the winning team, and it brings back vivid memories of that most amazing time in my life when I was working aboard Super Yachts. It’s navy blue and embroidered with a logo of a pineapple in a bucket and I still wear it every summer.

What’s your suggested first step for someone wanting to shop more ethically?

The first step is to ask yourself questions when you shop, such as where is this made? and what is it made from? Check the care label of the garment as this information is a legal requirement. If you are shopping online and the store isn’t up front about where it is made or what it is made from, they are probably hiding something.

Sustainably made materials cost more to make, and paying people a fair wage adds to the cost of production as well, so sustainable clothes can never be cheap. If something seems too good to be true, it is.

What’s your pet peeve about ethical fashion?

My pet peeve about ethical fashion is that it is so plain! Orchard Moon was created out of a desire to show people that sustainability doesn’t have to be bland. We design and create beautifully unique and colourful garments which also happen to be ethical and sustainable as well.

Sustainability and ethical fashion is a complex and confronting beast, what gives you hope?

I have hope because every year I see new technologies and new sustainable yarns in development and becoming commercially available. As humans we have evolved so far and technology and engineering are what sets us apart. Our ingenuity will lead us out of this crisis, but we also need more education for the end user so they understand that it’s their actions which will ultimately control the pace of change.