Our Blog | Love Linen The Label — Quality over Quantity
Visit Us In Broome - Showroom by Appointment Only
The Sewing Room - Showroom by appointment only
We have recently rejuvenated our sewing room where our design process begins to include a showroom space for you to try and buy Love Linen in beautiful Broome. Due to current conditions this is by appointment only and we trust that courtesy and appreciation of our bespoke label is considered.
Please text Helen on 0447 560 812 to arrange your appointment.
Our design process takes much love time and care. When we are happy with our designs they are then sent to our Australian Digital Pattern Maker and then to our Australian Accredited Manufacture. Both of these are other Australian small businesses run by amazing and talented women with many years of industry experience. It can even take a year or so before you get to see our designs. Our process is slow and sustainable and our focus is always on quality over quantity made with love.
It's More Than Just A Fashion Revolution in 2020
A Fashion Revolution - A Better 2020
Fashion Revolution week 23rd-29th of April marks the 6th anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed 1,138 people and injured many more in 2013, millions of people are now encouraged to ask brands #whomademyclothes and demand greater transparency in the fashion supply chain.
This revolution is a global movement calling for greater sustainability and ethics within the fashion industry.
Part of our passion is this movement which encourages more sustainability to change the way our clothes are sourced, produced and purchased, and ensuring #whomademyclothes are subject to a fair wages and safe working conditions.
This year there are much greater things at hand than just the Fashion Revolution - there is a current revolution of awareness of how we are living and consuming. This all goes hand in hand. We are waking up and it takes times such as these to do so.
The fashion industry is rife with fast fashion following short term fashion trends at super-low prices. It does come to a point that we have to consider the real cost of this out-ways a cheap price tag.
You are deciding which you are supporting every purchase you make. Quality over quantity is key here, having a high quality wardrobe that not only looks amazing, it will not fall apart after a few washes and you will not be contributing to the masses of landfill and subjecting people to unfair working conditions.
Shop YOUR VALUES, Shop local, shop small and ask #whomademyclothes?
Why You're Getting Ripped Off At $100 For A Dress
So I Went To (Fast Fashion Shop) and bought 10 Dresses - This is what I found
(actually didn't but you get the gist)
- I didn't really love ANY of them but they were cheap
- I know I'll throw them out in 12 months (if they don't fall apart first)...more landfill
- I really don't know what they are made from - poly... oh yeah isn't that plastic and microfibers choking our planet?
- I didn't check to see - ah Made In China under slave labour and a regime that does not support any life - including human life..
- One has a tag 'Ethically Made in Bali' - mmm why not Australia - ah fair wages... fair in Bali... do they have a fair work?
- The person that made it worked over 12 hours per day and only got paid less than 40c PER DAY - don't know how they are surviving
- The fabric was poor quality and cost less than $4 per meter - the processes of producing this cheap fabric are currently polluting the planet and stripping it of natural resources
- I wonder how long it would take me to sew a dress - I wonder how much I'd like to be paid?
- How long would I like a dress I really really loved to last? Could I make it last? Would I wear it more than once?
Lets #DoBetter - consider #WhoMadeYourClothes - what your clothes were made from and how you'd like to WEAR YOUR VALUES
"I Shampoo For A Better Future"
Shampoo With A Purpose - made in N.S.W
Just wanted to share a little goodness with you :)
My partner and I have been fully converted to shampoo bars - yay!
These are AMAZING - I know there is a lot to choose from out there and we think we got the jackpot first go but wherever you choose to get yours do your happy dance in the shower :)
These shampoo bars are equivalent to SIX bottles (plastic) of shampoo and conditioner!
SUPER massive happy dance - in the shower of where-ever hehe ;P
Happy Shampooing!
Love Helen x
https://www.shampoowithapurpose.com/
P.S. My partner and I share the same bar so good for all you minimalists (like me) and our first bar is almost at it's over 5 month end - still can't believe they are this good!
It's Time To #DoBetter
Simple changes we can take to #DoBetter
- Shop Local - handmade and made with love is best :)
- Shop Made in Australia - for Australians haha, fun aside we need to make our country great again an now is an excellent reminder that we need to be self reliant, it's better for us, our planet and economy
- Start a Vege Garden - start small and grow - fresh herbs are so so good for you!
- Connect with your community - volunteer, join a local sports club, you will receive the same and more of what you give out
- Nurture your body and mind - so important, you are your greatest asset, and you are the only one who can take care of you, if you are a giver, to fully give as much as you want you have to give to yourself first - "nobody can pour from an empty vessel"
- Spend more time in nature - time in nature is beneficial to your health and wellness for so many reasons, it helps keep you connected and grounded and is so good for the heart and soul
- Re-duce Re-use Re-cycle - just that!
- Eat less meat - there is so much evidence out there that we consume way too much meat than we need and it has horrific effects on the planet, every little bit counts to reduce this impact
- Reduce use of plastic - plastic is no longer fantastic - choose carefully there are many amazing alternatives out there
- Minimalise your life so you can spend time doing what makes you happy - now more than ever we are being reminded what really matters - make these things your new 'forever' priority list - there is something beautiful about a happy simple life don't you think?
Simple yes but the best things in life are x
Why we NEED to 'Beat' Fast Fashion
We Just Need to Stop - Consider WHO Made My Clothes
This is a great short video expressing some of my own sentiments regarding fast fashion, based in the US yes but on point!
It is just ridiculous that in only the last 10 - 20 years the production of clothing has increase so much to be at the stage of $10 disposable items in the name of 'trends'. We need to be smarter and we need to consider the real cost behind the price tag.
What A Cheap Price Tag Actually Says:
- I was made by someone under slave labour (majority who are woman)
- I was made in poor, unsafe and unfair working conditions
- I was made using poor materials
- I will fall apart within months and add to landfill
- I caused more pollution and negative earth impact
- I was not made out of love or care for the earth or any human on it
The World Must Never Forget...
No More Made in China - No More Mass Produced Crap
These current times are a reminder to the world that it is unsustainable to rely on one power house to essentially control the world.
We know that this is driven purely and simply by price. To give the consumer cheaper options means mass production using lesser materials and slave labour (often illegal) conditions to drive the end price to the consumer down.
This is a wake up call - we can do better and we MUST - for a better future we need to make better choices - this starts NOW - what will you do better?
Minimalism Where To Start
Less To Live More
Maybe it started with keeping up with the Jones - but who knows. What we do know, is in our western world we have a lot. We have a lot that we don't need, we have a lot which clouds our lives and stops us from really living and enjoying what matters.
It never ceases to amaze me how in many eastern countries and poorer nations, the happiness of the people does not necessarily coincide with how much 'materially' that they own or have.
After considering this for some time, I happened by the term minimalism. Minimalism to many people means many different things. I have found that it means to have only what you need to enjoy life, less stuff, and then more time and money because of this.
This does not mean you don't buy nice things, it means you consider purchases much more carefully instead of just mindlessly consuming from inner lack or to fill some sort of void. Minimalism to me is as much an inner journey as it is an outer.
Everyone has their own view of what will make them happy and what they need vs what they want. It is interesting though when going through your 'stuff' and de-cluttering - how much this can positively impact your stress levels and enjoyment of time usually spent cleaning, sorting and moving around this 'stuff'.
Minimalism also makes you value your time and happiness a lot more. If you're not happy then really - something has to change. Minimalism is not to do with just things, it's people, commitments, anything really which is not contributing to your inner peace and happiness.
Clearing out to live with less - but really with more of what makes you happy. That's a life more worth living.
Behind The Seams
The Lifetime of a Design
At Love Linen we do everything with love and much time, energy and care goes into everything we do.
We are only small and we only make a few. We are accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia and we are proudly Australian made, owned and operated.
Each design we hand make in our sewing studio in Broome before is goes to our digital pattern makers. This process alone can take months! Our amazing manufacturer specialises in short runs which means we only produce around 10 - 20 of each design in a carefully chosen linen fabric.
Quality over quantity is what we are passionate about. We also love producing linen clothing of true style and classic design that you wont see everywhere else. Our designs are unique and limited which make them extra special.
Although we have many designs sketched - some on paper - many in the mind - we are only a small business and our aim is to grow sustain-ably with our beautiful linen lovers into the future. We wish we could give you it all at once but where is the fun in that! So much happens in the design stage and we even surprise ourselves sometimes!
If you are reading this, thank you for being part of our journey. Your support and appreciation means the world to us X
Lets Shop Local This Festive Season
Support Local, Support Your Community
There are so many great reasons for shopping local. Festive season sometimes takes a hold however, and massive name brands do take center stage with their massive advertising budgets and the little small businesses can get lost among all the noise. We ask you to look for them, there are so so so many amazing small businesses out there producing amazing products filled with love and supporting earth and world friendly values we all hope to aspire to.
Gift giving over the silly season can get - well a little silly! How much do we really need? Here is a quick guide to help with a more mindful choice which also supports your local community.
Consumable Products
Handmade soap, perfume, handmade local foods, local honey, local produce, candles, incense, natural deodorant, skin care and hair care products - products you know will be used or consumed and not wasted - choose locally made, naturally made products
Reduce Plastic
Kids toys, clothing, plastic things which have little or no use. Shop for a non-plastic option or a cause contributing to earth friendly sustainable, re-use or re-cycle values. Shopping local makes this choice easy, there are many hand-crafters and local artisans and artists around, plus you a giving a unique gift to both the small business you are supporting and the receiver
Give An Experience
Struggling to find the perfect gift for that someone who has everything or is difficult to buy for? An experience like a massage (or any self pamper), wine tour, hot air balloon float, couple photo shoot, or something simply that you know they will enjoy will always be well received. Choose a local service or company
Make Something From You
Hand-make something yourself. Whether it's baking, painting, making jewelry, macrame, renewing something you have as a gift - if you are inclined this is something truly unique you can give as a gift from you. Small items are usually best and remember to shop local for your supplies
Support a Local Cause
Supporting a local cause always feels good. If you have one you are passionate about, let everyone know instead of gifts, small donations towards this cause is how you are giving this year. Everyone can feel involved and purposeful with their giving with you
Don't Sweat the Gift Giving
The most important gift you can give anyone is your own happiness and that you share your light with them by giving them your time. Gifts and the pressure of buying for no other reason than an expectation is both stressful and unnecessary. If this is you, explain this to your inner circle, if you need to take a break this year (or any year) know that - this is OK
Why Have A Capsule Wardrobe?
Benefits of a capsule wardrobe
I think before getting into what a capsule wardrobe is and the methods of achieving one it is important to first be inspired by the benefits so your enjoy the journey.
Less stress
A well curated wardrobe has staple styles, colours and combinations so it wont be a headache to pick your outfit.
Clothes you love
A smaller wardrobe of clothing means you are much more careful with your purchases. Each and every piece should be one of quality and that you LOVE to wear. Your whole wardrobe becomes something you feel good in no matter what you choose for your day.
Your signature look
Having a smaller wardrobe also means you put more effort and consideration on every piece of clothing and how they go together. Carefully picking only clothing of quality that will last and that you truly love sets you apart. You become more confident and well put together.
Saves you money
Quality over quantity. In the long run this saves you money and is better for the planet. You are also usually supporting more ethically made clothing and not sweat shop pieces made to last a short season. Feel good and do good in good fashion.
Take time - can be years!
It is ok that a capsule wardrobe takes time to curate and establish. Enjoy the journey and enjoy the fact that it is a process to feel good about.
A Slow and Conscious process
Each addition or subtraction of clothing becomes a more conscious process. In order to have a smaller wardrobe of truly loved and well curated clothing takes more presence than mindlessly adding and adding.
Greener
A capsule wardrobe means you are not contributing to the fast fashion model. This is a worldwide problem which has escalated over the last 20 years. You value clothes made well, of quality and designed to last. Shopping local is key here, it can be fun finding those niche local brands who align with your values and you can feel good about supporting.
Saves you space
As a nice bonus you minimize your home buy having a smaller wardrobe. Just wait till you get spaces between the hangers and you can see everything clearly, I promise you you'll love it.
