I THINK most of us can agree, that over the past year, we have got out of the habit of donning smart, often uncomfortable clothing, and preferring to potter through lockdown in looser, more flexible fabrics, writes Jessie Stevens.

For some that may have been living in ‘sports gear’ or others just softer, less constrictive materials. My interviewee this week has both these needs covered! I met with Alex Taylor, the founder of the slow fashion business ‘Raw Flora’ which opened at the end of January.

At the moment, Raw Flora is very small with only Alex and her partner manufacturing the beautiful garments using sustainable fabrics (such as bamboo and recycled Nylon).

Alex told me that one of the catalysts for her founding the business came from her time travelling through Europe in her ‘tiny home’ (converted van). She said the slower pace of life and less emphasis on materialistic items inspired her to think more sustainably. She also mentioned that the way living in a tiny home puts you much closer to nature made her feel more connected to the environment.

What inspired you to start your business?

I have been sewing for about seven years and I initially got into it as a way to help my mental health and I just fell in love with it. It became more of a hobby and so I started doing it constantly – I became a bit obsessed! When we came back from travelling in the van, and lockdown was just starting, all my plans had gone, so I had to come up with something else. Due to our travels, and my mindset changing, I wanted to get more into sewing. However, this started off with a fast fashion company. As soon as I started doing it, I decided it wasn’t for me. I realised that I didn’t want to support the fast fashion industry – I didn’t want to help produce it.

It was clear from the money I was being paid, the speed I had to work at and the fabric - everything just screamed at me that this wasn’t right. And so I decided to say no. Why was I doing it for someone else when I could do it how I thought it should be done? And so I decided to combine my two biggest loves (sewing and yoga) and try and make a change.

What challenges have you faced?

Being as sustainable and ethical as possible is a lot harder than it looks. You seriously have to put so much thought, time and effort into research. I had a checklist for everything I wanted for my fabrics when I started.

These included things like making sure it was right from a sewing point of view (easy to source and good to sew with) and also that the company I was buying from were transparent about their practises and local. Most companies I found wouldn’t even tick one box. Also, the price that comes with it is extremely difficult.

I have had a few people asking why it so expensive. Whilst I decide the price, I am held back by all the limitations such as paying everyone a fair wage for their work and the cost of materials. I really think slow fashion is a privilege and it is a shame that it has to be this way.

What is your top tip on becoming more environmentally conscious?

The thing that I have been doing lately, is trying to take small steps – it becomes really addictive! I think that using small changes is really the only way that we will improve. We don’t live in a society where you can be entirely environmentally friendly, so I think it is just going to take time. It makes you feel really good too!

What are your hopes for the future?

My first thought when you asked me this is that I have always wanted to live in a tiny home and live entirely off-grid. My hope would be to make this way of living more normal. I think it is happening, but really slowly. I hope to be one of those people one day!