TALES OF THREAD – Ethical Sleepwear by Rebecca Fordham
Tales of Thread launched in May 2016. In a nutshell, Tales of Thread was inspired by Rebecca Fordham’s passion for textiles and desire to create something that positively impacts the retail supply chain. Formerly BBC and UNICEF, she gave birth to her baby girl in December. A single mum, she launched ToT as something for her to be proud of and hopefully give her the freedom to care for her little girl as independently as possible. She lives and works in Westbourne Park.
Luxe British/Ghanaian start-up creates beautiful nightwear, ethically sourced for well travelled, design conscious men and women.
Launched in celebration of pan-African arts and design. The brand is inspired by her passion for textiles and a desire to create something beautiful wrapped up in her twenty-year love affair with the continent.
Available online www.talesofthread.com, the range includes pyjamas, nightshirts, camis and elegant kimono inspired lounge robes. Made from a super-soft blend of organic cotton and silk and designed with the belief that loungewear ought to be as elegant and wearable as daywear.
DESIGN
Textile heritage is central to the brand – the people and culture behind them – the first collection is inspired by Ghana’s Ashanti culture. Patterns include a beautiful fern motif that references the traditional Adinkra symbols found on pottery across the country, a bold geometric drawing on Ghana’s famous woven kente cloth, and a striking wave print.
Traditional arts and design methods such as batik wax and screen-printing are used to create the limited edition, hand printed quality pieces. Details include French seams, contrast piping, pockets and natural shell buttons. They are packaged in handmade laundry bags made from locally sourced cotton and recycled glass beads.
ETHICS
Tales of Thread is challenging the garment and fashion industry to improve their standards through a transparent and ethical supply chain. Made in female owned factories and workshops in Accra, Ghana, providing employment to 45 people. The predominantly female work force are paid above market wage and produce the garments in safe working conditions.
‘We want to show women that they can turn their vision and dreams into a reality, wherever and whoever they are,’ Rebecca Fordham, Founder Tales of Thread.
INSPIRATION
We often ask ourselves how can we make a difference. Whether it is buying online, in store or reading an article about unfair wages, dangerous working conditions or throwaway fashion – but we mostly feel powerless to effect change. Rebecca decided to do something about it by creating a clothing line that positively affects the lives of people across the supply chain, helping to reduce inequality and break bad habits.
Previously working for BBC Newsnight and UNICEF, Rebecca travelled for long periods of time, often with a minimum of personal kit and in a multitude of climates. She realised there was a gap in the market for multi-purpose, easy-to-care for sleepwear featuring unique designs in the best possible materials, created in a transparent, positive and sustainable environment.
Be a part of this movement for change www.TalesofThread.com.
