Ahimsa Collective chat with Fetch Lane
We are very excited to chat with the team @ Ahimsa Collective who are leading the way in disrupting and revolutionizing the fashion industry.
Setting out to do it ‘differently’ they have, after extensive research and planning launched a range of Vegan bags made from Pinatex, a pineapple leaf byproduct.
We chat with them about the future of production and whats trending in conscious consumption.
How did you get into the fashion industry?
We actually came together through a mutual frustration for the way the fashion industry operates and the desire to shake it up. After individually spending 10 years in our relative industries (Fashion, Marketing and Sales) we founded this business with the intent to challenge the current culture and attempt to make amends for the waste we have each contributed to over the years.
Why is creating a cruelty-free label important to you?
Ahimsa Collective was born more out of a need than a want. We were surrounded by vegan-friendly products but none of them looked holistically at the environmental impacts as well as the impact on animals.
We wanted to offer people a product that was both aesthetically pleasing but also came with a lot of feel-good vibes. We also wanted to change the fashion industry and its view on materials, production and overall impact.
Creating a cruelty-free line to us is not only about reducing the impact of the fashion industry on the world, but helping to reverse it, by the use of materials such as Pinatex (made from pineapple leaves) and ‘dead stock’ (waste that was destined to landfill until we got our hot hands on it).
You use Pinatex, a pineapple leather, why did you choose this for your products?
Pinatex is one of the first materials to be produced from the waste of a natural product.
Unlike other man-made products like leather and PU, Pinatex looks and somewhat feels like leather, but is miles ahead in terms of minimising it’s impact from initial development through to the final product process.
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You talk about technology catching up with style & fashion, what other materials have you seen replace traditional nasty ones? Anything you guys are playing around with?
We’re seeing a lot of non-virgin materials being used throughout the industry, such as recycled cotton and polyester. Products like vegetable based inks, and recycled packaging are also becoming more and more common.
We are also on the lookout for new products that suit our needs in terms of being aesthetically pleasing and also low environmental impact. We are forever experimenting with different materials, testing new options and carving new ways to be high quality and cruelty free.
Why is conscious consumption important for the future?
As a consumer-society, we are only now just realising how impactful and important our purchase decision can be. There is a long history of our consumption being influenced by others or convenience but the world is changing and we are starting to see buyers use that purchase decision as a vote and a voice.
We, as consumers, control and drive what will continue to be produced and invented, now and into the future. If we don’t start making a change with our money now, it may be too late in the future.
What other brands or stores do you support?
We support a range of like-minded people and businesses, across multiple industries. For us, it’s about collaborating with others making waves in their own industries, and coming together to help share knowledge. For example, at the launch of our first collection, we had the amazing support of the below brands:
BOB.Melbourne who are a Melbourne hair salon, working towards a no-waste salon from the impact of their products through to what happens with their foils used for dying hair.
Remedy Kombucha not only produce a product that’s healthy for us humans, but also one thats healthier for the planet. With their packaging being aluminium or glass.
Riot Wines, another Australian label who works towards zero waste from end to end in the production of their wines (and super tasty rose), which comes in kegs rather than bottles.
Throw in Concrete Boots Bar, a zero-waste venue to host everyone in, and we couldn’t have asked for a better launch. And we will continue to drive those connections and collaborations to give our support back.
Who should we interview next?
We have so many people we could rave and talk about all night long, but as a start, any of the like-mindeds we have noted above.
Where can we find or shop AC?
You can currently purchase your own AC product at www.theahimsacollective.com
We are also working with Ethical Gallery, so keep an eye on their website for our beauties popping up soon.
To read more stories like this one visit www.fetchlane.com.au today!
