We have a mindful approach towards designing Fashion with sustainability as a starting point, reducing the environmental impact and delivering beautifully hand-crafted designs that are friendly to our planet. These are our fundamental values:
- One planet. As we appreciate the beautiful planet we live on, we want to keep it that way. So we try to use only renewable materials which are ideally minimally processed and don’t cause any disturbance to local communities and wildlife. We currently work with low-impact natural materials such as Tencel, Hemp, Linen, wool, silk and Organic or recycled cotton. We have also introduced banana mesh fibre, which is biodegradable from the waste of banana tree stems. We develop experimental custom jacquard weaves made with NewLife recycled yarns from post-consumer plastic waste, Berliner Recycled Cotton yarns and British Recycled wool to explore circular solutions and support local sustainable manufacturers. We use natural trims such as corozo buttons, made with the shell of the corozo nut (typically Colombian and Ecuadorian), we also use coconut buttons, made out of coconut shells. Both buttons are biodegradable and made from waste materials.
- London production. Because all the garments are made in-house or in our London-based atelier, we have direct control and the ability to ensure the best working conditions. We produce a limited amount of samples and encourage made-to-order to avoid unnecessary stock.
- Minimal waste. One of our aims is to create near-zero waste. Why not zero waste? Well, when you use a pair of scissors you immediately make an offcut and therefore potentially waste. We experiment with minimal waste pattern cutting and using the offcuts for sewing samples, upcycling projects and stuffing. We compost the organic textiles in our wormery together with the paper and cardboard waste from packaging.
- Local sourcing. By sourcing our fabrics, trimmings and other materials locally we support local businesses such as Alice Timmis Studio and reduce the travel distance of materials therefore reducing the environmental impact. We use a lot of deadstock materials, which are the end-of-the-roll or discarded materials from other businesses, which would otherwise end up in the landfill. It’s a great way to use fabric waste or excess production which occurs very commonly in the fashion chain.
- Be kind. Treat others how you want to be treated. This means focusing on customer interaction, and supplier relationships, paying fair rates for products and services and being thankful for being able to exist and share our creations.
Sustainable events
Panelist Overheated 2023
Jennifer Droguett, Founder and Creative Director of Anciela was invited to speak on the panel during 2023 Overheated, to discuss the climate crisis and the work that is making a meaningful difference. Jennifer addressed the 500 visitors to explain sustainable practices as a Fashion brand and Designer, the importance of a clean supply chain and how to choose ethical fashion as a consumer. Featuring Incredible environmental activists, indigenous leaders, and inspirational talent including Alice Aedy, Brother Spirit of Plum Village, Dominique Palmer, Support+Feed founders Maggie Baird and Billy Eilish, Samata Pattinson, Liv Simpliviano from Fashrev, fashion psychologist Shakaila Elise and Tori Tsui.
Photo: Jessie Morgan
“Waste Not” Event for City Wide at London Fashion Week February 2024 at The Museum of the Home
Anciela created an interactive installation made with textile waste from the studio. The aim is to promote ways of upcycling and inviting the spectator to reflect and actively participate in making the main piece by adding messages using fabric offcuts.
Anciela hosted workshops, videos and conversations about sustainability and upcycling in Fashion, including a panel discussion with Orsola De Castro, author of “Loved Clothes Last” and founder of Fashion Revolution.
Anciela x Trash Club at City Wide London Fashion Week September 2023 at Alma Pearl Gallery
Anciela teamed up with Trash Club to host her very first “Trash Talk”, a weekly talk where designers and artists from all backgrounds support each other’s professional growth and holistic well-being through discussions surrounding systemic change, sustainable practices and mindfulness. Piarve Wetshi, Matthew Needham, Rahemur Rahman & Araceli Gómez Castro were guest speakers. Anciela exhibited some of her new Spring Summer 24 pieces along with the work of fellow Colombian artist Jhonatan Pulido.
Charity event at the Trampery Fish Island Gallery
An interactive event promoting sustainable and circular design to create more awareness about the impact of Fashion and encourage people to adopt more sustainable practices. Including a workshop, a special display of some of Anciela’s pieces and an intimate talk with Sustainable Designer Lydia Bolton. All proceeds went to the Friends of Colombia for Social Aid (FOCSA) Charity. The mission is to help improve the lives of the most disadvantaged children in Colombia by donating medical, educational and other necessary equipment to hospitals and other institutions that have been set up to help these children.
Guest speaker at the Colombian Consulate in London
The Foundation Entre Soles y Lunas, through its program Universo MOLA, the Latin American Sustainable Fashion Movement, in collaboration with the Consulate of Colombia in London and the Embassy of Uruguay in London, hosted these fashion talks with key speakers and networking space to create bridges between Latin America and the UK.
Conscious shopping and Sustainable Fashion Workshop: Empowering the consumer in an era of greenwashing and climate emergency
For speaking engagements, workshops, consulting and collaborations, email us at studio@anciela.com
# BuyNothing #MakeSomething
Upcycled Fabric Toucan
We’re so excited to present the mini version of the Anciela toucan, made and stuffed with AW19 fabric remnants. As part of the #StayHome series “buy nothing make something” we want to encourage you to create something new. You don’t need to buy fabric, upcycle something, give a second life to that item of clothing you don’t wear anymore.
Visit our Instagram tutorial here: Toucan tutorial IGTV
Patterns
Upcycled fabric orchid
Anciela is inspired by the orchid, Colombia’s national flower.
The fabric orchid can be worn as a pin, added to a headpiece or added to your garment. Please find the IGTV tutorials on Anciela’s Instagram: Upcycled Fabric Orchid IGTV
