Disguising Tramps ...

During our jam-packed London Fashion Week, we managed to catch the next big designer, Sini Moilanen, founder and head designer of "Tramp In Disguise", who happened to be wearing our fabulous Offset Warehouse ethical aviators!

Sini (Left); Model Wearing Sini's Collection (Right)

Our Richard chatted to her about her latest gorgeous collection inspired by volcanoes, the possibilities of ethical fashion and words of wisdom for any wannabe designers! 

You can listen to the podcast here - or these are some of our highlights of what she had to say:

"Sini, Where did you get the name 'Tramp in Disguise'?"

"When I was studying, one of my best friends said to me that it was the best way to describe me and and I found it funny, so that's how I got it!"

"Where did you get your inspiration from for this collection?"

 "This whole collection was based on volcanoes.  I designed all my textiles first, which were really inspired by volcanoes and once I'd got my fabrics, I decided what the style of the collection would be.  Actually, my training is in textile design ... so I tend to design my textiles first before my shapes."

"Do you think there's a importance in striking a balance between being ethical and fashionable, do you think its possible?"

Sini in her Offset Warehouse Aviators

"It is possible but sometimes the selection of materials you can get like recycled materials is not necessarily, from a designer's point of view, a material to get the best results from.  For me, as I do prints there is a certain method I have to go through to get them done, which is difficult to do responsibly.  Hopefully they'll develop printing techniques which are more ethical, and certainly, all my knitwear I've done myself, which is definitely an ethical way to work!"  
 [N.B. Readers - since the interview, we've hooked Sini up with some of our ethical printers from Offset Warehouse's Ethical Directory]

"What advice would you give to someone that wants to get into this industry?"

"You have to be persistent and take everything that people say with a pinch of salt.. !"


Look out for Tramp in Disguise in the Offset Warehouse Boutique!

www.OffsetWarehouse.com - Brings you all you need to be ethical in fashion and interiors...

Transforming womens lives one loom at a time ...

Offset Warehouse has joined forces with an exciting new ethical company that supports a women weavers co-operative from Northern India, and we're so pleased to announce that their products will be available in both our Fabric and Haberdashery Shop and our Boutique.

Spinning and weaving lambs wool at the production centre.

Sustainable summer ... starting with your sunnies

This summer Offset Warehouse will be selling the UKs first ever range of sustainable, bamboo sunglasses.

Coming in classic aviator, perspex aviator and tortoise shell affect wayfarerstyles, all three have tinted gradient lenses with UV400 protection.

Bamboo is the planets fastest growing wood resource and can grow up to 60cm in one day. Many ecologists promote bamboo planting for erosion prevention, and even to reverse the effects of global warming. [Keep an eye out for future posts, where we'll delve into the ethical pros and cons of bamboo].

With only weeks until the arrival of some much needed sunshine, start your summer on a sustainable high, and grab your pair early when we'll be selling them at a reduced introductory rate!

... our perspex aviators