Hi Anushi! Tell us a bit about yourself and why you started Misti-
I am Dr. Anushi – I am a senior research scientist based in a leading children’s hospital in Melbourne. The idea behind Misti needs to be credited to the 7-year-old version of Dr. Anushi. I grew up on a small island – Sri-Lanka where I went to school. Little Anushi was terrified of needles. My mother recalls taking me to the hospital to have me sedated for basic medicines. It seems this stressful life experience has shaped me to develop a pain-free method of delivering medicines later.
My parents ran a business selling vehicle parts so my childhood playground revolved around an interesting junkyard of vehicle parts all open for cool experiments– naturally, I was curious about all things technology and science, which helped her interpret the world – leading me to pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering followed by a PhD.
My PhD work led to the discovery that led a path to develop a new technology using sound ways to convert medicines into mists – I founded Misti a few months ago to help translate this discovery into a product that could help children like myself who feared needles and also vulnerable adults.
Why did you decide to crowd-fund, and what are you hoping to achieve with your campaign-
I appreciate the power of community to drive impactful and meaningful change. The pharmaceutical industry is conservative for very good reasons. Strong backing from the community not only helps validate the need for technology but also provides the necessary funding to produce the first prototype to progress our technology.
Do you have any tips for our community on how to juggle being a mum and running a business-
I come from a lineage of strong women who ran schools, businesses and combinations thereof. My grandma of 6 children was a hardworking school principal in remote Sri-Lanka. My mother of 3 runs one of the most successful private educational institutions. I remember the daily fights they battled to feed the children, help them become respected humans and also succeed in their careers at the same time. They chased their dreams unapologetically! It is naturally engraved in me – every time I doubt my capabilities – I think of them. What would Grandma or Mum say? The answer is always – JUST keep going!
During my PhD – I gave birth to my son, who is now 10 years old. I worked on Misti’s mission in my post-doc career while caring for my children as the primary career. And now have 2 children in primary school, and I am a doner mum to a boy who is a year old (I have donated my eggs – story for another day). I have received incredible support from family to date – at times when I doubted – they believed in me.
My top tip is it is never ever too late to chase your dreams. You may prioritise different things (kids or a traditional career) at various times in your life. That does not mean it’s NEVER to hone in on your passion.
It took me 10 years to venture into business – perhaps it’s a little too long, but everyone is on their own journey. Craft what works best for you! And it’s OK to fail – you will learn and grow- not starting is probably worst. I asked myself “If not YOU – then WHO?”. “If not NOW – then WHEN?” – the rest is history 😉
How can we support you-
We really appreciate it if you could pledge for #missionmisti to support our mission - https://www.liftwomen.com/projects/support-misti-mission-of-protecting-children-from-preventable-infections/
If you are in a position to contribute, there are several rewards. For backers who support us with $30, we will thank you with our limited edition Misti fridge magnet. For $100 pledges, we will gift a combo of Misti tote bag and Misti fridge magnet. Supporters who contribute $300 will receive our thankyou gift set which includes Misti T-shirt, fridge magnet and tote bag.
Especially, backers who support us with $500 or more will receive an exclusive invitation to Misti lunch event and come to know Misti team and our mission at a deeper level.
We are also open to co-branding if you are an enterprise. Up to 15,000 Misti devices are offered for co-branding opportunities to businesses that support us with $5000 and $10,000 pledges.
If you can help spread the word and the impact of our work – this would also go a long way!
Hey I’m Nina the Founder of organic herbal tea company, Nurtur Tea. I’ve had two beautiful pregnancies and the most incredible births. In fact, my second was a magical home birth. My experiences are down to a few factors but feeling comfortable in my own skin and regularly drinking Nurtur’s herbal tea were huge components.
Tea is one of the healthiest beverages that pregnant and breastfeeding women can enjoy throughout their journey especially when the blend is caffeine-free like ours at Nurtur Tea.
So whether you’re drinking hot or iced here’s our top reasons why drinking tea is so beneficial during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
1. It can speed up labour and post-birth healing
Evidence shows that drinking a herbal blend of red raspberry leaf tea, like our delicious Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, may reduce complications and interventions in childbirth. The fragarine compound found in the leaves is also known to tighten and tone the walls of your uterus, which can speed up delivery.
Rich in immune-boosting nutrients, Raspberry Leaf provides B vitamins, iron, niacin, manganese, magnesium, selenium, vitamin A and astringent alkaloids. This is a tea that can bring so much nourishment and healing in the last stages of pregnancy and post-birth too.
2. Ease morning sickness and offer instant refreshment when breastfeeding
Being low on energy, feeling tired and sick is common in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Our Morning Lift blend will naturally help the common symptoms of nausea and settle an upset digestive system. It will importantly help you get some fluids in you when sometimes plain water makes you feel even worse (this was the case for Founder Nina with in her second pregnancy). You’ll also receive a natural energy boost that can help ease symptoms of morning sickness and help you get on with the rest of your day.
For anyone who has has breastfed knows it's thirsty work! This is down to the hormone oxytocin which is released when breastfeeding (the same hormone that is released in childbirth) and this can be make you really thirsty. It’s your body’s way of making sure that you are getting enough water to produce enough breastmilk for your bubba. We recommend our Nursing Tea hot, iced or even a fruit infusion in our unique Tea Tumbler to keep you hydrated.
3. Lullaby you to dreamland
I suffered from pregnancy insomnia in her second trimester onwards with her first, I remember waking up in the middle of the night and my mind was racing from one thought to the next. I effortlessly, an in-house naturopath and herbalist to formulate a tea blend that not only helps to lower stress levels and feelings of anxiety but also create good quality deep sleep.
Nurtur’s caffeine-free Sleep Tea contains antioxidants that binds certain receptors in your brain shown to promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia. Furthermore, blood sugar spikes and crashes can keep us up at night. The organic cinnamon ingredient contained in Nurtur Sleep Tea, keeps everything balanced and helps prevent those spikes from happening. Allowing for a better, uninterrupted night’s sleep.
Written by Nina Morgan
Founder of Nurtur Tea
Beautiful mama of two Nina Morgan who is the Founder of Nurtur Tea recently shared with us a few reason's why she shopped sustainably during her pregnancies.
"My body changed so much in pregnancy. It felt like every week my tummy got bigger and my boobs fuller. These were things I celebrated. The only issue was my wardrobe. Active wear was my daily go-to choice! I could have gone on a shopping spree for cheap fashion that would have done ‘the job’, however, it went against all my principles of being sustainable. Furthermore, I wasn’t keen on spending money on unethical maternity wear that I’d only use for a few months to then be forgotten at the bottom of my wardrobe.
I’m so glad then that I found Luna + Sun. Free from toxic chemicals and truly sustainable, their maternity range and flowing dresses were like heaven to me throughout pregnancy and beyond when breastfeeding."
These beautiful photo's were taken by Aimee + Reilly Photography of Nina with her beautiful son. We want to ensure all women can look and feel beautiful in sustainable clothing made to last and we are so honoured to hear these beautiful words by Nina.
]]>It’s no secret that the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. Globally we’re consuming about 80 billion brand new garments every year which is 400% more than we were consuming just two decades ago. Australia happens to be the second-largest consumer of new textiles after the US. In 2017, ABC TV’s War on Waste series reported that we throw out 6000 kg of textile waste to landfill every ten minutes! 85% of the new textiles we buy each year ends up in landfill. It’s a vicious cycle of buy - wear once, twice or not at all - bin it - then buy new all over again. I’ve read a stat that the average woman only wears 20% – 40% of her wardrobe. While donating to op shops is a great way to divert from landfill, sadly, op shops are only able to resell about 15% of donated clothing.
Alarmed by these stats? Well there’s a partial but effective alternative. Enter the circular economy of fashion i.e. clothes swaps! A clothes swap is a sustainable fashion ritual or activity where participants can exchange their quality preloved (secondhand) pieces and acquire the same from others in a fun environment. Swap parties are becoming increasingly popular in Australia and around the world. I’ve been hosting clothes swaps for nearly a decade. So, if you’d like to try hosting your own swap party, consider this your basic how-to guide.
1. Find a venue
Get a space with enough comfortably hold the number of desired participants with a corresponding number of tables, chairs and clothes racks.
2. Set a date
Choose a date and time that will be most suitable for your target audience. Getting this right sometimes can be a process of trial and error.
3. Rules and guidelines
Set rules and guidelines for how the swap will work and also set rules of conduct for participants. For example:
- number of items people can bring
- quality of clothes accepted into the swap
- whether you will be using a token exchange system where people can exchange quality for like quality
- you might decide to flip a coin if two people want the same garment
- the swap officially begins when the organisers declare the swap open
- no fighting or insulting anyone at the event, otherwise they might be asked to leave.
4. Logistics
Tickets – Decide if your swap if paid or free. You can use platforms such as Eventbrite or Humanitix for your guests to register. It’s a good way to create a mailing list if you will be hosting clothes swaps regularly.
Theme - You might decide to have a themed swap for example, a fundraiser swap, summer clothes swap, costume swap, swap for dress sizes 16 to 26, swap for children’s clothes, formalwear swap, etc.
You can make it more fun by adding the word ‘party’ to it then serving wine, having music, door raffle prize and/or decorations to make your soirée even more attractive.
5. Invitations
Send out invitations, create a Facebook event and post the event to all your socials. Invite people. If it’s a public swap, then ask people to share the event and invite their friends.
6. Promotion
Leading up to the event, it’s essential to consistently post videos, text, images to spread the word, get your audience excited about the swap and to increase ticket sales. This tip is useful to keep people engaged even if your swap is a private or internal swap like an office swap.
7. Gather swap materials
Essential: volunteers (depending on number of expected guests), mirrors, racks, tables, hangers
Optional: refreshments, music, decorations.
8. On the day
Use the first 30 minutes of event to welcome and register guests and allow the the organising team to sort, fold and hang clothing. It’s also essential to vet clothing and remove pieces that are not up to par. Your guests will thank you for this. It’s also crucial that everyone begins the swap at the same time, therefore let every guest know in the invitation and upon arrival that they can only begin taking pieces after the organisers have officially declared the swap open. (i.e. 30 minutes after set arrival time).
9. Decide what to do with leftovers
I usually donate leftover clothing to an op shop. You can also ask shelters for homeless people or shelters for victims of domestic abuse if they would like to receive the donations. Or you might even save some for another swap.
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We recently spoke to the lovely Fatima Wheeler of @birthinggoddess all about Mother Blessings and why they are so important for soon to be Mama's. Similar to Fatima we are passionate about helping women to feel supported throughout this huge change in their lives and we are so excited to speak to Fatima.
What are Mother's Blessings?
The first time I experienced a Mother’s Blessing was when I was pregnant with my first baby Zephyr and my friend Sarah offered to do one for me.
I will never forget the love , support and encouragement I received that day. I felt so empowered for my birth and it made me so excited to birth my baby.
I wondered why this ceremony wasn’t really well known in the western world.
We have baby showers where all the focus is on the baby, presents for the baby, games revolved around the baby however the mama is completely forgotten.
When a mama births her baby she is completely transformed ..so why is it that no one honours her and this sacred rite of passage ?
This is when I began thinking of the idea to do it as a business. I was already facilitating them for friends and felt so passionate about creating a magical ceremony where the mama felt held, loved and supported.
Why are Mother's Blessings so important for soon to be mums?
If you have been to a Mother’s Blessing before you will know it is completely different to the conventional baby shower.
There’s depth and meaning behind it and the whole ceremony is so intentional.
The amount of love the mama receives is indescribable and there is a whole lot of emotions from everyone.
It is so important that the mama feels the love , connection and support from the ones closest to her as they are the ones that will be there for her during postpartum.
What happens at a Mother's Blessing?
During a Mother’s Blessing there are different rituals you can choose from.
Usually the facilitator will chat with the mama weeks before the ceremony to tailor it to what resonates best with her.
The only job on the day for the mama is for her to receive. It is that one day she can sit back & have her love cup filled.
I am so passionate about filling the mother’s cup and feel so honoured I am able to facilitate these beautiful ceremonies.
I am now located in Mexico so I’m writing a Mother’s Blessing Ebook for the women who would love to create & facilitate one for a pregnant friend whether it’s their first born or third born. It’s so important to have one for every baby because with every birth the mother is reborn & transformed once again.
Words by Fatima Wheeler and photo's taken by @tamcreative_.
]]>Written by Siri Pulapaka from Prana²
Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life.
There is a saying in Ayurveda that the 42 days postpartum care is equivalent to the quality of life for the next 42 years.
The key to postpartum care of the mother is to help the mother regain balance after she loses her vital blood and fluids, not to mention the loss of a huge space in the abdomen (previously occupied by the baby). With the sleep deprivation and fatigue that comes from feeding and nourishing a newborn, being grounded is crucial.
If you’re a mum who loves to hit the road after giving birth and dive right into a BIG Mac from McDonald’s to satisfy those cravings for carbohydrates – Ayurveda suggests you think twice!
Ayurveda encourages the mother to stay home for 42 days postpartum, and be looked after by her friends and family who cook nourishing meals that are good for the new mum to build great gut health - warming food and mild spices/herbs are preferred to help kick start the mums digestive fire going from easier to digest foods such as home-cooked food, warming soups, broths to heavy to digest food such as milk, cheese and meat. It is also important to ground the mind with spiritual practise, focusing on strengthening muscles with healing massages and light yoga.
Self-care from an Ayurvedic lens means to nourish both internally and externally – removing build up of toxins and helping our whole system come into balance.
A daily self care routine can help us remove toxins, regulate our body clock and digestion. It is one of the best things you can do to stay in balance.
As a mother it becomes difficult to follow any kind of set routine, which is why it is even more important to do the things you can consistently.
A daily rhythm helps keep vata (air + space) in check and supports your digestive fire. Rather than a rigid schedule, a daily rhythm allows for the ebb + flow of life while anchoring in on sleep and meal times.
To ensure you are the best version of yourself for your kids, I encourage my clients to implement the following daily self care practises:
1. Wake up early and watch the sunrise – even 5 mins of breathwork/mediation practise can set the tone for the rest of the day.
2. Daily self massage with Ibu Ayurveda massage oils followed by light yoga.
3. Drink hot water approximately 20-30 mins before breakfast to kickstart your digestion.
4. Have my biggest meal between 12-2pm when digestive fire is at its peak.
5. Get outdoors for some earthing, bare feet are a must for grounding before sunset.
6. Warm cup of Ayurvedic milk before bed – a must have tonic for any breastfeeding mama or for overall rejuvenation.
Ayurveda emphasises the need of preserving a balance between the body, mind, and spirit. In addition, as everything is connected, Ayurveda is an integrative science which means it can be added to supplement your existing medical plans not replace them. Ayurvedic massage, Ayurvedic cleaning techniques, dietetics, spiritual yoga practice, and herbal medication are the key components that will help you achieve your health goals.
For more information about a tailored self care plan for your body type, book an online consultation with Prana² today via https://www.pranasquared.com/
]]>Mindful shopping. Is that even a thing?
Research says it is as more shoppers swap a fast-fashion mindset of last-minute purchases and impulse buys for a more conscious style of shopping.
If you haven’t heard the term Fast Fashion, it describes the quick, bulk production of items on a mass scale. These items are easy on the wallet, but their impacts on the environment and the people who made them are huge.
Lots of clothes born from fast-fashion end up in landfill, and often, unethical and poor working conditions are at play for the people working behind the scenes to make it all possible. And let’s not forget the carbon footprint that comes from large-scale factories using fast fashion practices.
Lots of clothes end up in landfill
Let’s clarify. On average, each Australian dumps an estimated 23 kg of textiles into landfill each year. That’s a lot of last-minute frocks that might have served a purpose for one event before heading straight to the clothing graveyard for an untimely burial.
Luna + Sun founder, Teshani McManus is passionately working towards making Slow Fashion – which is the exact opposite way of producing clothes – an established practice in the Australian sustainable fashion scene. She recently spoke to ABC radio about this, you can check it out here.
Luna + Sun proudly uses sustainable and ethically sourced fabrics, such as linen, along with zero waste packaging and works alongside companies to improve ethical practices behind the clothes-making scene, like Mantua Sewing, which helps improve worker conditions among migrant and refugee workers.
Teshani hopes her label’s commitment to improving the Australian sustainable fashion culture gives people food for thought about where they spend their next fashion shopping dollar.
“Ethically made clothing, especially Australian made, does come at a higher price point, but, when you shop for ethical fashion, you not only get a beautiful item that is made to last, you can rest assured that no person has suffered to make this item,” says Teshani.
While buying sustainable pieces is an investment, the quality of these garments speaks for themselves. If you listen closely enough, you might even hear them pleading, ‘I’m helping make the world a better place, please don’t toss me out!” in your next wardrobe cleanse (if your clothes guilt-talk you, that is).
But if you find that it’s time to move a piece on and it’s served its purpose, your pre-loved clothing can always find a new home, like at Luna and Sun Vintage which Teshani will soon launch for her label.
At Luna and Sun they also use off-cut fabrics from their design process to make fashionable headwear and other accessories. A heady way to have a positive impact, don’t you think?
From headbands to scrunchies, it’s a sure way to get your head in the game of Australian sustainable fashion and make a difference. “Every small change we make really has a huge impact in the long term. Instead of buying 20 items from a fast fashion brand, why not invest in one item from a sustainable brand that will last you for years to come,” says Teshani.
Mindful shopping is definitely a thing.
As it becomes a priority for shoppers looking beyond a fast-fashion quick fix, with the help of labels like Luna + Sun, we’ll all be one step closer to pushing the fashion industry down a brighter, greener path.
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Whilst you're excitedly documenting everything - including your expanding belly, another part of you is having a low-key panic moment about your pants no longer doing up. And since you're all about living a conscious lifestyle, you've been trying to make your existing wardrobe last as long as possible, but things are getting pretty tight now. It's tricky because you're not keen to spend money on unsustainable and unethical maternity clothes that you'll only use for a few months and then shove to the depth of your wardrobe either.
So, if you haven't already, we're here to permit you to put away clothes that no longer adapt to your changing body, support your desire to wear natural materials that do and introduce you to Luna + Sun's new maternity range.
Made from sustainable materials and free from toxic chemicals, the baby bump and motherhood-friendly tops and pants are here to support you through pregnancy and beyond.
We're an Australian made sustainable clothing label from Brisbane that's about empowering women in all walks of life, especially those entering motherhood. Teshani McManus, the founder and creative director, launched the label in 2019 while discovering she was pregnant with her daughter. Now, three years on, and with an adorable toddler by her side, she's launching a maternity range.
"If there is ever a time in your life where you deserve extra support and comfort, it's when [you're] pregnant and after birth."
- Teshani, Luna + Sun founder and creative director
Seeing a lack of sustainable maternity clothes looking for them herself, especially after going through a difficult birth and lengthy recovery, Teshani knew it was her calling to create what she was missing - comfortable and sustainable maternity clothing.
It's not only about creating sustainable products but about offering the Luna + Sun community investment maternity products that enhance every woman's motherhood journey. For example, Teshani says the new maternity range tops are "designed to help you feel more comfortable when breastfeeding in public", and maternity pants give new mums extra comfort after a c-section or birth. It's all about ensuring your new maternity wardrobe adapts to your lifestyle - not the other way around.
You've probably noticed that most maternity clothes are stretchy. This means they contain Spandex or Elastane, a synthetic (non-natural) material made from plastic and isn't breathable or sustainable. But Luna + Sun's sustainable maternity clothing is made entirely from natural fabrics, such as organic cotton and linen, making it one of the few Aussie maternity brands to do so. All the eco-friendly materials help reduce your environmental footprint, so you can wear them without feeling guilty.
It's about the entire process of how a garment is made. From how the fabric is created to the dyeing process to the sewing, Luna + Sun knows where their clothes come from and who made them. When you purchase a Luna + Sun product, you know that the woman who made your garment was paid a fair living wage, so by wearing a Luna + Sun sustainable maternity clothing, you know that you're supporting human rights and helping to reduce your fashion carbon footprint.
Clothing can be very sentimental. A pair of 'maternity' pants or a shirt you invest in during your pregnancy can be a beautiful reminder of such a transformational period of your life. You can keep wearing the piece beyond pregnancy and into motherhood and carry with you fond memories of when you were cooking your baby. Our intention behind the new sustainable maternity clothing range is to make it part of your 'forever' wardrobe, so you can keep wearing it again, and again, and again.
We invite you to explore the new sustainable maternity collection here.
Written by Evelina Kaganovitch
Here's a bit about these two powerhouses who are expert's when it comes to living more sustainably.
Larissa is a sustainability blogger at Eat Yourself Green. She is a new mom, marketing expert, and co-founder of Plastic Free Gold Coast where she works with the local community to reduce plastic consumption and waste, providing education and helpful resources. She’s always mindful of keeping sustainability accessible to all while also making sure she creates less waste and lives consciously with her new family on the Gold Coast. You can follow her on @eatyourselfgreen on Instagram.
Ashleigh Stallard is a sustainable living advocate, waste warrior and the founder of Shift, a hub for living lightly.
Ash is passionate about showing others the beauty and ease of conscious consumption - with a little bit of activism thrown in there too! She regularly shares inspiring, simple ways everyone can be a mindful consumer and citizen of earth.
Ash is a co-founder of the community group Plastic Free Gold Coast, and with her background in journalism and PR hosted their Wavemakers podcast and expert panel discussion on the future of food.
By day, Ash is the community and relationships manager with The Finders Keepers, Australia's leading design marketplace.
Ash is hopeful she will get to be part of a future where every choice is a sustainable one. You can follow Ash at @shift_style on Instagram.
1. Buy and use less.
This may seem like a no-brainer but it's the essential first step to lowering our impact as consumers. You will be surprised how much plastic waste AND money you can save just by asking “do I really need this?”
It’s not about depriving yourself, but about simplifying and seeing what really offers value to your life and brings you joy - and it allows you to get more creative if you want to find a waste-free alternative!
Examples and swaps:
Plastic wrapped paper towels can be replaced with old clothes and towels cut up as rags. Use, wash and repeat!
Cling wrap can easily be replaced by using things you already have: sealed containers, jars, a bowl with a plate over it, or a washable wax wrap.
By choosing secondhand first, and saying yes to pre-loved, we are massively reducing plastic, packaging and resources overall.
Have you ever purchased new furniture or whitegoods and seen how much plastic wrapping, foam, styrofoam and cardboard comes with just one item? By trawling the secondhand market we’re avoiding all that waste being created AGAIN just so we can also get that item. Plus we’re keeping things useful for longer, saving them from landfill, reducing the demand on virgin materials, and saving heaps of cash!
Examples:
We love to check out op shops, garage sales, even curbside collection for freebies, as well as online pre-loved sites like Marketplace (choose a small radius so you drive less for pickups!), Rosella St, Gumtree, eBay (under ‘Condition’ select ‘Used’ so you’re only searching secondhand), Poshmark and Depop for clothing and accessories.
3. Shop at farmers markets.
By default there is usually far less packaging at farmers markets, with more fruit and veg sold loose. Stall owners are also usually more than happy to accept your clean, dry containers for things like tofu, fish, meat and your brekky from the food trucks.
Examples:
We love finding produce like cherry tomatoes, strawberries and blueberries loose per kilo, so we can scoop into our own produce bags and avoid those pesky plastic punnets!
Our big market bags contain plenty of light-weight produce bags, calico bags for bulk dry goods and bottles for things like olive oil or honey (more markets have stalls like these now), containers for things like tofu, a reusable coffee cup and our own water bottle.
4. Join the Reuse Revolution!
Refilling your own containers is a game changer when it comes to your waste-less journey. If you’ve never shopped at a bulk foods store, you truly are missing out! The staff are always more than happy to help you, just bring your clean containers, jars and bags from home and they will help you weigh them ready for refill.
Examples:
Stock up on pantry staples from flour to nuts, oils, teas, chocolate and honey at stores like The Source Bulk Foods or Naked Foods, and when you try out Tip #5 below, refill your DIY ingredients too!
5. Try some simple DIYs.
Making your own products will not only save plastic packaging, but you will learn new skills, be mindful while slowing down, reduce the toxins you are exposed to, know exactly what you’re using, AND you’ll save heaps of money in the long run (is this a bit of a theme in this post?!).
Examples and swaps:
We love to DIY deodorant with basic pantry staples including corn flour, oil and bicarb soda.
Another basic swap - and another way to avoid plastic punnets - is to grow your own sprouts on your kitchen counter. No soil or green thumb required, just a jar, seeds and daily rinsing!
We hope these tips give you some inspiration during Plastic Free July.
Let us know in the comments below what changes you plan to make. Every small change really does have a huge impact.
Teshani xx
It’s no secret that the fast fashion industry is a massive contributor to waste. It’s estimated to be responsible for 10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, the fast fashion industry has a huge effect on the environment. Because of market trends and aggressive sales initiatives, fast fashion consumers are literally buying into an industry that is filling up landfills around the world. Recently, Australia’s textile crisis has made the country the second-largest textile consumer. This means that annually about 23kg of clothing gets dumped per Australian.
In response to these troubling reports, sustainable fashion has become a buzzword for eco-conscious manufacturers and consumers alike. Surveys in 2021 reveal that 69% of fashion consumers now factor in sustainability when making a purchase. However, while this new interest in sustainable fashion is good for the environment, it brings to light another problem: the lack of inclusive sizing.
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Hi Luna and Sun Fam!
This year marks the ninth year since the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh.
Rana Plaza, a building in Bangladesh, housed a number of garment factories, employing around 5,000 people. The people in this building were manufacturing clothing for many of the biggest global fashion brands. More than 1,100 people – mostly young women – died in the collapse and another 2,500 were injured, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history.
At Luna and Sun we believe no person or animal should die for fashion which is why we want you to ask brands - Who Made My Clothes?
The first photo below is one of our lovely makers- Lyanis from DNA Manufacturing who is the manufacturer we have worked with since we started. The second photo (below) is from Potter Textiles whom we source our linen and this photo is one of the team members who makes our fabric in their mill in China.
You can find out more about who makes our clothes, fabric and materials from our Transparency Page.
This week it's important to hold brands accountable and keep an eye out for greenwashing. If you're unsure if a brand is truely an ethical/ sustainable brand you can check out Good On You or Ethical Made Easy who have done the checks for you.
It's easy to get confused with all the greenwashing terms out there and just because a brand says they are ethically made unfortunately doesn't always mean they are.
Sadly the only way the big fast fashion brands will change their unethical practices is when their profits are effected. So the best thing to do is not shop with them and encourage your friends and family not to too.
If we each change one person's view on fast fashion collectively we can make a BIG difference.
If you want to find out more ways to get involved click here - Fashion Revolution.
Together we will make a difference 🙏🏽
If you have any questions please feel free to email me at hello@lunaandsun.com.
With Love,
Teshani xx
]]>Written by Evelina Kaganovitch
The thought of linen often springs to mind images of the rich and famous sipping champagne on a yacht. But this luxurious material is much more common to stumble upon than you might think - and a good quality linen shirt or pair of pants can be equally stylish as it is sustainable.
A natural fibre made from flax plant fibres. Where do flax fibres come from? They originate from the flax plant, where flaxseeds come from (that we love to add to muesli or salads), and even linseed oil, another cooking staple. The natural material is known for its luxurious properties and often feels very crisp when playing around with it in your hands. Compared to its natural material friend, cotton, it dries much quicker and is exceptionally lightweight - no wonder it's the only material you need for a sweltering summer's Ron de Vu.
Where do we begin? Linen fibres possess numerous benefits that no synthetic fibre can replace. It has a magical way of becoming softer and more mouldable the more you wash it - like your favourite pair of Doc-Esque boots that feel like a second skin.
Here are a few more reasons why to fall in love with linen with
Even though we're raving linen fans, nothing is perfect, and there are a couple of things to be kept in mind when buying linen.
It's more expensive than other fabrics
But think of it as an investment - a beautiful linen shirt will last for years and years (and years), compared to a cheaper quality one that's a mix of cotton and polyester that might start to pill and look worn out after a few seasons. Linen will look classier when you wash it making your long-term Cost Per Wear (CPW) significantly lower than buying cheaper styles.
Linen crinkles easily
Constant creasing is classic linen behaviour and signifies that the material is pure. Ensure you iron linen on the correct setting or hang it up on a hanger when you shower, and the steam will smooth out the crinkles.
Non naturally dyed linen takes longer to biodegrade
The natural colour of linen fibres sits between the natural brown colour family. And the less the garment resembles an earthy tone means it will take longer to break down when it's disposed of. For example, to get a crisp white linen colour takes many rounds of bleaching, exposing both you and the person who made the garment to toxic chemicals. It doesn't make linen a bad guy; it's just good to keep in mind.
Must be cared for properly
You can't pop linen clothes into the wash with your activewear. Linen needs to be cared for properly. Do not wash in warm or hot water as it will shrink. A cold hand wash (or gentle cycle) is best, then hang it up to line dry.
We love it! Linen is a fantastic material that's worth the investment. It's natural and doesn't need to be mixed with other non-natural materials (like polyester), meaning it can break down organically. If it's dyed using natural plant-based dyes, there's also no risk of any toxic chemicals being absorbed into your skin, and it feels super soft to wear.
It has Luna + Sun's tick of approval and is our material of choice for most of our products.
At Luna + Sun, we adore our linen and do our due diligence before committing to a fabric. Our linen comes from Potters Textiles, an Australian supplier with a rich history of sourcing the best quality and most environmentally friendly flax from France and Belgium - before being sent to China for milling.
All the linen (and the dyes used to colour it) meets the Oeko-Tex standards. It doesn't include any toxic or harmful substances, and all workers who create the beautiful material do so in ethical and safe conditions.
For more information about our linen and commitment to sustainability, click here.
As you can tell, we're a little biased towards linen fabric - but for a good reason. What's not to love with its lux feel, cooling properties, and durability?
Mending 101- How to Repair a Button
Hi Luna and Sun Fam,
I'm excited to be introducing the FIRST of our Free Mending Tutorials. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now and I’m so excited to be doing this!
If you know me you know I’m so passionate about educating people on sustainable fashion and making it easier for you to care for your clothes. This not only saves you money in the long run but also ensures these clothes don’t end up in landfill which is a win-win in my eyes!
This is why we recently teamed up with the incredibly talented Georgia from Georgia’s Portfolio to bring you some mending tips. As we have just opened our pre-orders for our Ceylon Shirts our first tutorial is – ‘How to Repair a Button’.
This ensures your Ceylon shirt (and any other shirts) you have will last for several years as buttons can become loose or fall off from time to time (especially if you have a toddler pulling at them like me 😆).
We hope this helps you and we would love to hear your thoughts as we hope to do more of these throughout the year.
Please feel free to email me at hello@lunaandsun.com and let me know what you think.
With Love,
Teshani xx
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Hi Luna and Sun Fam!
Last week I was interviewed by Katherine Feeney on ABC Radio and we spoke about the huge problem we have in Australia with textile waste. Every small change we make whether it be:
- Shopping less
- Shopping quality items
- Wearing your clothes more
- Mending
- Swapping clothes or
- Buying second hand can all make a difference.
I'm very passionate about educating more people on these topics and I would love for you to listen to my interview by clicking above.
Teshani xx
]]>Written by Evelina Kaganovitch (Fashion & Sustainability writer)
Whether you're well-acquainted with Australian made clothing or dipping your toe into the water, there's a mirage of talented home-grown designers around the country. With a plethora of creativity in every corner of our beloved country, it's no surprise that buying from a small business is the best way to support the local economy.
Australian made clothing is better because when you shop from a local business, you're also helping fund the dreams of designers working on sustainable fashion collections and Australian-made products.
Welcome - Luna + Sun, an ethical, sustainable, and cruelty-free women’s clothing and accessories label born from a passion for empowering women and created in the heart of Brisbane. Since launching in 2019, Luna + Sun has been on a mission to provide women around the country with stylish and motherhood-friendly Australian made clothing styles.
But Luna + Sun's mission doesn't stop there; the Australian made clothing label's founder and designer Teshani McManus aspires for the impact to be felt in all corners of the world. But before going global, it's staying close to its roots with the recent partnership with Mantua Sewing. This Brisbane-based social enterprise provides local, ethical and high-quality design and manufacturing services for Australian brands by drawing on sewing skills and passions of women from Refugee and Migrant backgrounds.
We know that purchasing an Australian made sustainable clothing item can sometimes add some friction to the wallet, but don't forget that it's an investment you're making into your long-term fashion style and advocating for the type of future you want to see. The higher the quality of a garment and the more care you take, the longer it will last. Don't be surprised if you pass on your linen pieces to your younger sister, daughter or niece for generations to come.
Luna + Sun uses only natural plant-based fibres for their clothing range, with stunning soft linen taking centre stage. The product range includes a selection of breastfeeding-friendly tunics like the Shanti Blouse in a beautiful peach print, wear-anywhere pants, and summer dresses, including the gorgeous Mya style that women in all walks of life love - be it to wear to a weekend lunch at a winery, for a baby announcement or after the bub is born.
Knowing exactly what's in the garments and producing everything close to home means it's easier to trace how sustainable the product is. In Luna + Sun's case, all fashion styles are designed and made in Brisbane. The Australian made clothing is ethically made from 100% Linen fabric with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification, meaning it contains no nasty substances and is safe to wear on the skin.
Teshani recently launched a second venture called Luna + Sun Vintage, which offers second-hand options for customers.
And she's doing that by sourcing and upcycling op-shop garments and giving them a second life. But it’s not only about finding products to upcycle. Teshani aims to,
“Make Luna + Sun a label known for education, sustainability, and helping empower women.”
The next time you're wondering if it's worth investing in Australian made clothing - remember that not only are you supporting the local economy. You're backing the future of fashion and making a small-business owner very happy!
8 Lucky ladies will have a FREE private shopping experience with a stylist at the Luna and Sun Pop-Up Store. We will have a stylist from Spree With Me in store to help you find out tips and tricks to choose clothes that will last, that flatter you and suit your lifestyle.
You will receive a glass of bubbly when you arrive and get to talk to myself and fellow sustainable fashion business owner Chamani from her namesake label Chamani.
You will receive a questionnaire before the event so we can tailor it to you!
Everyone who attends will also receive a free booklet with tips to care for your clothes as we believe clothes should be loved, cared for and worn as much as possible.
SIGN UP - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/loved-clothes-last-workshop-registration-268588805347 or via our Instagram @luna_and_sun_label.
]]>At Luna and Sun we want you to love your clothes and wear them for as long as you can. Sustainable fashion is an investment and taking proper care of your items will ensure they last longer.
Here are my tips to help you look after your beautiful Luna and Sun items:
(1) Follow your care instructions- This is so important as different fabrics will have different care instructions so please ensure you read and follow these instructions when it's time to wash your items.
(2) Wash less- I know this sounds a little gross but I only wash my clothes when I really need to. Excessive washing not only wastes water but it also isn't great for your clothes. Linen is naturally absorbent so you can go longer between washes than some other fabrics.
(3) Less Chemicals- Try to use eco-friendly laundry detergent that doesn't contain harsh chemicals. There are some great laundry detergents that are plant based and free from dyes, synthetic fragrances and sulphates. This is safer for your skin and safer for your clothes.
(4) Naturally Dry Clothes- Drying your clothes outside instead of in a dryer is more energy efficient and ensures your clothing isn't harmed in the drying process. So try not to use a dryer if you can as this will help your clothes last longer.
(5) Learn Basic Mending Skills- Basic mending skills such as learning to sew on a button or fix a hem are great tips to know to ensure your clothes are loved forever. We will be helping you with mending tips throughout the year but if there is anything we can do to help before that please let us know. Brisbane ladies I also know a few local alterations companies that can help you if you need it.
When your Luna and Sun clothing can no longer be worn, swapped or mended you can send it back to us and we will send these to Upparel for recycling. We want to ensure none of our items end up in landfill so we offer this service to you free of charge to help ensure we are a truely circular brand and sustainable fashion brand.
Teshani x
]]>Hi Lovelies,
I know we can be made to feel like we can only wear something once and then we need something new as people have already seen us wear it. But this is not the case, outfit repeating has become even more popular and it is such a sustainable approach as it ensures you are making the most from your current wardrobe.
Being a proud outfit repeater myself I have created a few tips for you to help make outfit repeating easier. Wearing your items as much as possible and looking after them is so important and key to ensuring your clothing is truely sustainable. Remember when you buy quality items they will also last longer than their fast fashion counterparts as long as they are properly looked after.
Tip 1: Get creative with styling ideas
Think outside the box on different ways you can wear your item. Can it be paired with sneakers and a hat for a casual look then heals and some nice jewellery for an evening look?
There are so many ways to make one outfit into so many looks. If you have bought an item from us and you need some inspo feel free to send me an email and I'm more than happy to help give you some ideas.
Tip 2: Care for your clothes
Remember to always read your care labels and always follow the care instructions. Caring for your clothes ensures they last longer.
Eco-friendly laundry powders are also a great option as they are safer for you and also a lot safer on your clothes. Also air drying your clothes is the most sustainable option and better for your clothes.
Tip 3: Mending your clothes
Becoming an outfit repeater means your clothes will most likely need some mending from time to time. But here's the good news- mending isn't too expensive and you can even learn how to do it yourself.
I'm working on a new workshop to help you with this and I'll be sharing more about this soon so watch this space!
I hope these tips help you feel confident in wearing your clothes time and time again.
Teshani xx |
We are opening our first store at 233 Given Terrace in Paddington and we would love for you to come to celebrate our launch with us anytime between 10AM - 4PM.
There will be live music, food and exclusive discounts - make sure you get in early so you don't miss out!
This Pop-Up is part of the Brisbane City Council's Shopfront Activation program which is helping small Brisbane businesses and we would love your support.
Our Pop-Up will be showcasing two other Brisbane small businesses which I love - Maven Label and Coco Cabana Collection.
Maven Label is an Australian Couture fashion brand, has become known for its unrepeated 3D brocade jacquard textiles sourced in limited quantities.
Coco Cabana Collection is a globally sourced collection of artisan pieces that bring effortless beauty and meaning to the home.
We look forward to meeting you 🙂
With love,
Teshani (Founder)
]]>This is a question I’ve been asked a lot by people that aren’t too sure what ethical fashion is. A big part of why I started Luna and Sun was to help educate more people on the effects fast fashion was having on people, the environment and animals. This is why I wanted to introduce you to an incredibly inspiring woman who can tell you first hand the effects fast fashion is having on people – Nasreen Sheikh.
Nasreen escaped forced marriage, child labour, and extreme poverty, risking everything to experience freedom. She now uses her voice to advocate for over 40 million people who still remain trapped in modern slavery.
At around ten years old, she became a child labourer for a textile factory in Kathmandu, Nepal. She worked like a machine for 12- 15 hours a day to complete the mountain of garments the manager put in front of her. The sweatshop operated for two years before it was shut down. She then chose to become a street kid, where others went to another sweatshop.
Please watch her video below as it is incredibly powerful and shows us how important it is to shop with ethically made clothing labels. Your voice is so powerful and together we can show fast fashion brands that they need to change. Just by voting with your dollars and shopping ethically made fashion or second-hand fashion you are helping create change.
Nasreen has also created an organisation called Empowerment Collective and she is inviting inspired people, businesses, government, and media to address these injustices. Together, let’s create a world where no one has to suffer for fashion. You can find out more and ways to support Nasreen by visiting https://empowermentcollective.org
]]>Whilst being a mum is the most rewarding job in the world it is also incredibly challenging.
Like most small business owners who are pregnant, I thought I would be able to bounce back after having a baby and have time to work on the business. Unfortunately several things went wrong during the birth of my daughter and I'm so incredibly blessed to have a healthy baby girl but my recovery was a very long and hard one. I found it difficult to even sit down for the first few months and it took me about 6 months to be pain free. I was also in and out of hospital a few times after my daughter was born so it wasn’t an easy journey.
But I was very lucky to have the support of my husband and my family which I’m so incredibly grateful for. Also what really helped me was speaking to other mums and hearing their stories and their journey’s.
That’s why in the lead up to Mother’s Day I wanted to interview some amazing Brisbane based Mumma’s who are also small business owners to share their stories and advice for other new mums. I hope other mum’s reading this know whatever your journey is you are doing amazing and you are not alone ❤️
Sam Hill and Grace Teale are the two beautiful and inspiring Mumma’s behind Empowered Women Collective. They started Empowered Women Collective to bring like-minded women together to empower and uplift the community by sharing their skills and knowledge of yoga, meditation, mindset and the power of manifestation. They run workshops in Brisbane each month to help women grow, heal and thrive. I’ve had the pleasure of attending a few workshops myself and they have brought together such a beautiful community of women who are so incredibly supportive. Sam is a new mum to Isla who is nearly 11 months old and Grace is Mumma to three beautiful girls whom are 17, 9 and 7.
Tell us a bit about the amazing work you both do at Empowered Women and how it started?
Sam: We've always had a friendship filled with authenticity, love and support and we understand that not every woman has this in their life so we wanted to create a safe and uplifting space where women could find the same genuine connections and thrive together. We started Empowered Women Collective in October 2019 and it's since flourished into a beautiful community of amazing women and fully embodies everything we had envisioned ~ authenticity, growth, healing, support and love! We couldn't be more grateful! We run workshops in Brisbane and collaborate with the incredible women in our community to share their knowledge, skills and gifts to help women grow, heal, and thrive!
Tell us a bit about your motherhood journey?
Sam: Life changing! Right from birth. Birthing my little goddess was the most empowering thing I've ever experienced, I came out of it a completely different woman. All the bs was stripped away and so many switches immediately flicked for me. For the first time in my life everything had been put in to perspective, like what truly mattered and what didn't. I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders, I no longer cared for the opinions of others, what people thought of me or for any other tedious little unimportant things, all that mattered was this tiny little human in front of me and as long as I was living authentically and being a good role model for her I felt on the right path.
Every day I'm getting to know Isla more while simultaneously feeling like I've known her forever. I also feel like I'm getting to know myself more and more every day and I've learned to go with the flow and be more accepting of myself as well. Isla's giving me a strong feeling of purpose, purpose I didn't realise I was missing before she joined us earth side.
This journeys been beautiful, empowering, rewarding, challenging and one of the hardest things I've ever done all in one. It's an absolute blessing and I'm incredibly grateful to be Isla's Mum.
Grace: My mother hood journey started very early on! I always say I was just a baby having a baby! Motherhood is one of those things you think you can prepare yourself for- and in a way you can read books, lean on the advice of others that have come before you.... but when you actually come into it, there's no amount of preparation that 100% covers you 😆 its one of those 'learn on the job' type of situations. However, I consider myself very blessed! I have always had the support of my amazing husband and my wonderful family ❤️ years later my husband and I decided to expand our family of three into a family of five (six if you include the dog!) I won't say it gets easier.... new challenges arise, but you are a little wiser and after a while you find your own unique style of parenting.
What self care tips do you both have for new mums?
Grace: Take time for yourself. This can be very difficult particularly as a first time parent. There's a lot of fear, a lot of worry, a lot of anxiety and a lot of guilt!! But a relaxed mama is a happy mama and children (even babies) feel into that! This is something I only learnt after my third daughter and as a result I started practising yoga to fill my cup and now it is my entire career. Mamas, do whatever lights your fire and fills your cup, because your babies also benefit 🙏🏽
Sam: My self care tip would be to just surrender, be open and go with the flow. That was huge for me, surrendering, letting go of expectations I had on myself and being kind to myself. I think this is so important. Also eating good food and staying hydrated, this has a massive impact on our physical and mental health and as a new Mum, keeping a healthy mind is crucial.
What was the one thing you couldn't live without as a new Mum?
Grace: My mum! She has been an incredible source of comfort, wisdom, support and knowledge. If it weren't for my mum I wouldn't have three kids! In Eastern communities extended family are the childcare, the baby sitters, the tutors, the cooks, the neighbours (extended families often lived close by) and this is where the saying 'it takes a village' comes from!
Sam: My baby carrier! Seriously, what a life saver 😆 I don't know what I would have done without it. Isla had terrible silent reflux for almost 10 months and a lot of the time, the only way I could help her sleep was by walking around with her in my pouch ha ha.
The phrase 'It's takes a village' is something I agree with 100% after becoming a mum. I've spoken to a lot of new mums that didn't have any support as COVID prevented their families from coming to see them. Do you have any tips or support groups you used when you were a new mum that you could recommend to other mums?
Sam: I 100% agree with 'it takes a village' as well. I'm super independent and tend not to ask for help which can be at my detriment sometimes but I am lucky enough to have both my Mum, sister and my Mother in law close and happy to help if I need it. I also have several amazing friends who have recently had babies or have small kids so I could chat to them and ask them questions so I'm super grateful for that too. If you don't have a support network there are some amazing little local Facebook groups to connect with like minded Mummas.
Grace: In our western culture its not often we have that privilege. We have so many pressures from modern society to be all the things, the expectations are so high, its no wonder mothers are burnt out!!! I say seek your tribe! Find a group of like minded women and go where you and your little ones are celebrated! And if you can't find your tribe, then build it 🙏🏽 there are so many platforms you can choose from. Facebook, Meet Up and Eventbrite just to name a few ❤️
Thank you so much Grace and Sam for such amazing advice ❤️
Please check out the @empoweredwomen_co on Instagram and if you are based in Brisbane please check out their upcoming workshops on their website- https://alignwithsam.com/shop/zg8pnxj0uiie0khiupun4mx89rxmfp
Their events are always so much fun and such a great way to meet some incredible like-minded women! I can’t wait to go to another workshop very soon ✨
Teshani xx
]]>I’ve also heard a lot of businesses who make their clothing overseas claim their clothing is made ethically. But it is important to ask these brands are their garment workers actually being paid living wages? Also how did they calculate a living wage? A living wage should be enough for their workers to afford food, rent, healthcare, education, clothing, transportation and savings.
I strongly believe the garment workers overseas work just as hard as they do here so why shouldn’t they be paid the same? When I initially looked into manufacturing, I wanted to have my items made ethically overseas however when doing more research it didn’t sit right with me that women making clothes ‘ethically’ overseas are only paid a fraction of what they are paid to make them ethically in Australia.
I do know that living in Australia is a lot more expensive but when we look at the work they are doing it’s the same, so for me I do believe they deserve the same rights and pay as we are lucky enough to have in Australia. I’m not saying that anything made overseas can’t be ethical, but I do believe we should ask companies if they are paying their workers living wages and how they calculated this as unfortunately there is a lot of greenwashing out there.
Here’s an average breakdown of what our costs are to make our items ethically in Australia (with a manufacturer accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia):
Fabric -
100% Linen with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification and digitally printed
$22 metre (AUD)
100% Linen with no print and with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification
$14 metre (AUD)
Elastic - Biodegradeable, Eco-friendly elastic
Approx $179 (AUD) for 100 metres
Approx $3 per an item
Packaging - Hero-packaging, No-Issue paper, Swing-tags, Hemp tape, Thank you card and Tote Bag
No Issue- $1.20 per item
Hero-Packaging - $0.70 per item
Bags- $10 per item
Swing Tags- $0.20 per item
Thank you cards- $0.25 per item
Pattern-making -
With an Ethical Clothing Australia accredited Pattern-maker
$70 an hour (AUD)
Samples costs -
$120 per a sample (AUD)
The Production cost -
With an Ethical Clothing Australia accredited Manufacturer
Approx $25- $50 per item (AUD)
Transaction Fees (can vary from 1.75%-6%)
On average our items cost anywhere from $100 - $170 to make and on top of this we also have marketing costs. We then add on our retail mark-up which is 2 times the total cost (on average the standard mark-up in retail can range from 3 times to 10 times the total cost and sometimes even more).
We want to be as transparent as possible with you about these costs so you understand why our items are the prices they are.
If you have any questions or would like to know more please feel free to email me at hello@lunaandsun.com
Teshani xx
]]>Towards the end of the year, I was able to start an online course created by Fashion Revolution about Fashion's Future and The Sustainable Development Goals. I learnt so much from this course and I wanted to share what I learnt with all our customers so you know what a difference you can make by shopping wisely. The course content also reinforced the huge impact the fashion industry has on the planet.
This course also introduced me to The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and how the fashion industry plays such an important part in achieving several of these goals. It reminded me of the difference that we can make, despite being a smaller business, and reinforced my commitment to doing everything we can to help achieve these goals.
The SDG’s are a set of 17 goals that represent a universal call to action to ensure that we leave a better planet for future generations. After I had my daughter, it became even more important to me to ensure we leave the world in a better place for the next generation.
We know we are just a small business, but despite this, I am passionate about making a difference and influencing the change that is required in the fashion industry. It is my strong belief that if everyone makes small changes, we can together make a big impact! By simply shopping less, supporting ethically made and buying clothing from companies that support the SDG’s above, we can collaboratively help to achieve the SDG’s by 2030.
Teshani xx
Click each goal below to find out more:
]]>Unique to Luna + Sun, Kendelle custom designed these prints which had been crafted from original hand drawn fine liner illustrations and developed in Photoshop. Each motif has been inspired by traditional Indian architecture, capturing the beautiful and ornate details through a combination of floral and geometric elements.
From a sustainability stand point, digital printing offers a more sustainable printing method than other traditional printing methods such as screen printing. Digital printing offers the ability to print smaller runs of fabric with a quicker turn around, while reducing printing ink, water and fabric waste in the process.
There are two types of digital printing options:
Sublimation printing –
This type of digital printing uses heat transfer to apply the printing inks, which is used for synthetic fabrics. Sublimation printing could be used to print onto recycled PET Polyester or recycled Nylon fabrics using water based Inks.
Direct to Fabric Printing – (this is the printing method we have chosen to use)
This printing method uses a textile inkjet printer to print designs directly onto natural fabrics such as cotton/linen/viscose/silk etc.
As always we are only using natural fabrics and that are cruelty free as well as ensuring they have the Oeko Tex Standard 100 certification and are free from hazardous dyes.
Keep an eye out for our new collection launching soon!
Teshani xx
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