Consciousness and Sustainability
There is a desire to do good; not all choices are 100% waterproof green, but we do what is within our reach and consider PPP.
We do it now, not in ten years like some mainstream fashion brands; we started with this philosophy in 2007. That also includes saying “no” to opportunities and growth for the company. As a local and small brand, we avoid many environmental and social issues. This one-woman company has a small footprint; Pepa is a designer and maker, executing from the Rotterdam Studio.
Her first sustainable choice was to create original items that complemented what was already abundant, but with a different approach. Our made-to-order production prevents overruns and enables us to offer a made-to-measure service, which was quite unusual at the time and remains uncommon today. With our procedure for creating long-lasting and timeless fashion accessories that are original and attractive, we convince customers to invest in a piece that will last for many years. She also decided that all designs should be available year-round and remain so, as long as the materials were available.
When we started creating hats, bags, and gaiters in 2007, we used solely leftover materials to craft one-of-a-kind items, handmade in Pepa’s small attic. To meet the demands of buyers and shops, we also began purchasing quality materials from other local businesses, such as natural wool felt and leftover tarpaulin from truck cover manufacturers.
To keep our footprint small, Pepa commutes by bicycle. We use the company bike, a 100-year-old Monark, for minor loads or creative events. In other cases, we drive our cute and spacious C3 Picasso on LPG. Yes, LPG is a byproduct of polluted industry, but it is a clean emission and affordable, within our reach.
We would love to tell you more about the origin of the materials we use for our designs.
Natural wool felt
The Dutch Wool felt manufacturer obtains the Wool from South American sheep, which are naturally raised in small flocks. They walk freely on extensive grounds. Some of the Wool used in the felting process comes from Spanish Merino sheep. The wool felt is 100% Oeko-Tex certified, thus free of toxins and safe for people.
Pepavana did investigate within her reach. We realise that we must learn every detail of this particular wool harvest. When we can work with industrial wool felt made from local wool, we will surely choose that option to have total control; however, no such alternative is currently available that meets our demands.
However, we will utilise this beautiful and natural material, which offers numerous benefits for creating long-lasting products. Wool is warm in winter and regulates temperature in other seasons. It is also dirt—and water-repellent.
As we create classic fashion items from it, mostly made to order, they will become timeless, high-quality wardrobe staples for years.
Hemp
Then, we buy natural Hemp fabric from Romania for the summer gaiters and hats. Hemp production in Romania has always been biological and sustainable.
Piñatex
The Piñatex Fabric, sent from Spain, is an alternative to animal leather. The company uses the long and strong fibres from the leaves of the pineapple plant for the basis of pineapple leather, a byproduct of the fruit harvest. Its production is fair and green. We use it for gaiters and bags.
Cork
We buy cork fabric from a company in Rotterdam. They get the cork from Portugal, the cradle of this natural product. Cork leather consists of a thin layer of cork on a cloth base. It is another beautiful alternative to genuine leather. It comes in different patterns. We made some exciting women’s gaiters from it.
Secondhand jeans
Cotton jeans are bliss for reuse, but transforming them into high-quality products is time-consuming. Our method and technique are crucial for the upcycling process to create a true Pepavana that remains faithful to the original piece and distinguishes itself from the average upcycler.
We make dresses, hats, and gaiters this way.
We are not always happy about the production process of most jeans, which can harm people and the planet; however, since they are already secondhand, they are no longer harmful. Reusing materials will increase their value.
Vintage blankets
From the early days of Pepavana to the present, we have used secondhand blankets to create hats and gaiters. Since these typical Dutch Blankets are made from Virgin Wool, we can further transform the products by felting them by hand after assembly.
We mainly purchase vintage blankets from thrift shops or individual sellers. It is becoming increasingly complex to find good examples at a fair price.
Following the launch of hats and gaiters, we successfully introduced the Layers Line, a series of attractive products featuring multiple layers and traditional outer seams, including shopper bags, house slippers, and treasure boxes.
Over the years, we have saved all the scraps from the production of bags, hats, and gaiters, and now we create attractive pillows by hand-stitching the patches together.
Leftover Truck Tarp
We buy the leftover tarpaulin pieces from truck cover manufacturers in the Rotterdam harbour. Most pieces are neat, clean, and perfect for designing stylish or sturdy bags. With Pepa’s sewing skills, she can make quality bags that will be your companion for many years. When they break down after excessive use, free repairs will extend the lifetime of the beloved bag.
Textile disposals
Then, we have quite a supply of donated clothes, linen, and disposables for creative textile workshops. Our policy is that the workshop’s results with these materials must be usable and relatively sustainable.
We love recycling, but I have also learned that not all secondhand materials are a blessing to our environment and that it is better to throw them out. First, because they can continue causing damage (like the polluting ink in newspapers), disposing of them ends the pollution. Second, using inferior materials will never result in a sustainable and long-lasting product. Working with worn and inferior materials is also a waste of labour.
Leftover leather
We recycle secondhand genuine leather for bag handles or other product details.