Sometimes Sundays is a slow fashion label with purpose and passion at its core. Founder and designer, Berit Schneemann shares my values, and she believes in slow fashion just as much as I do.
Berit charges towards her sustainability goals relentlessly, continually searching for ways to improve. From ethical production and using sustainable fabrics to empowering women and choosing quality over quantity, Berit inspires positive change, and Sometimes Sundays is a testament to the possibilities of how fashion can be used as a force for good.
The path towards a sustainable fashion future isn't easy or clear, but for Berit and Sometimes Sundays, it's the only path to take...
Why are you passionate about ethical fashion?
After working in fast fashion for a long time and seeing the working conditions of manufacturers that a lot of big brands work with, I couldn't close my eyes on this topic. I am very passionate about human rights. I read books, watched documentaries and learned everything I could about the bad habits of the fast fashion industry and decided that it does not have to be that way and that I wanted to help bring positive change.
Why are you passionate about sustainability in the fashion industry?
I have always been passionate about the environment. I am a big beach lover and nature lover. I grew up in Germany, where recycling has been around forever, and people seem to be more aware of the impact plastic has. It was clear for me from the beginning of my ethical fashion journey that I would want to work with natural organic fibres and do my best in every step of the process to not further harm the environment.
Why do you do what you do?
I have worked in the fashion industry as a designer for many years and have seen first hand how fast fashion brands work and how they harm people and the planet, and it's all about profit. It's always been a massive 'no go' for me as I am very passionate about the environment and people's rights. I've always wanted to have my own small slow fashion brand working with artisans and paying fair wages. After my last fashion job almost burned me out and did not give me much joy anymore, I finally had the courage to do it.
Some of your garments are made with recycled deadstock fabrics, and some are made with hand-loomed fabric. Is sourcing difficult?
I go over to Phnom Penh, Cambodia twice a year to source the deadstock fabrics from the fabric markets. When I find something I love, I have to be quick and buy it straight away as there is only a limited quantity and the roll could be gone the next day. Sometimes there is only 20m on a roll, and sometimes you get lucky, and it's 50m. It makes my collection limited, which I love. Once I have my deadstock fabrics, I then design my handwoven stripe fabrics fitting to them. The handwoven cloth is made by an artisan group two hours south of Phnom Penh. They grow the organic cotton there, they spin it, hand dye it and hand-weave it all in that one village. It's an amazing process. The handwoven fabrics take around four weeks to make.
You believe fashion can make a positive change to the world. What does Sometimes Sundays do to contribute?
We are on a mission to preserve ancient old traditions and techniques by working with artisans in rural places, give them access to a bigger market, help them to become financially independent and support themselves and their families. We also do our best to not further harm the environment by using deadstock fabrics that would otherwise end up in landfill. Our collections are made by a small ethical manufacturer in Phnom Penh that looks after their workers, pays them living wages, gives them maternity leave, health care and further education. We believe that this should be the norm in the fashion industry.
Support a sustainable fashion future and shop the full Sometimes Sundays range here.
The Fashion Advocate x
