Nature’s mistress
Vicky Wood, 22, is a talented young designer working to change the way we dress – adding responsibility to frivolity and fun, which is why the clothing is sold through music festivals. Through environmental science, fashion and textiles studies she realised the impact these sectors have on human health and the environment. As a result she started looking at alternatives and decided to set up her own label. Through contact with Appropriate Technology Asia1, a charity working with marginalised and threatened populations in environmentally challenging situations, mainly in the Himalayas, she identified the use in Nepal of ‘Tree Cotton’ (Gossypium Arboretum) This is a native variety grown perennially, rather than annually, and without chemicals,
Agro-forestry
Tree cotton is grown on hill terraces, in an agro-forestry system where it does not compete with food crops. This system generates other fuel, food and cash crops, and does not require chemical inputs or continuous cultivation. The cotton is picked by hand, and once ginned and spun is dyed using natural plant extracts. The weaving is done on traditional Nepali yarns, providing employment for both skilled and unskilled people.
Social projects
As well as better farming opportunities and income earning potential for farmers’, the supply chain also offers other social benefits: every two weeks the main spinner (Thulo Aama) travels to Kathmandu to teach spinning skills to the Kathmandu homeless at a shelter/hostel. Profits from the cloth sales support work in sustainable agriculture, drinking water access, forest management and education.
The clothes made to Vicky’s Brazilian Drum’n’Bass inspired designs have just been launched in the UK, and are mainly sold through festivals and outdoor events at present. Once established, the brand will expand to be sold through shops and the Internet, with an increasing range of designs, sizes, and men’s collections, always with the aim of providing satisfaction and quality to the wearers and the makers.
Drum’n’Bass will soon have a website.
Contact Vicky Wood: Tel: 01769 520559, vickyjwood@hotmail.com, www.naturesmistress.co.uk
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 65, September 2004, page 8]