I care about the planet and the people who live on it. It's as simple as that. This translates into the business decisions I make.
Carny Valley holds The Planet Mark Start! certification
Read all about it
Grab a (fairtrade) cuppa and get a feel for what Carny Valley is all about. No time to read all this? That's ok. In a nutshell, I care.
Carny Valley is a small business but I'm are committed to thinking about how what I create affects the planet, and I'm not cool with making a negative impact.
Got any ideas or opinions? Please drop me a line, because I always want to do better.
Carny Valley is a small business but I'm are committed to thinking about how what I create affects the planet, and I'm not cool with making a negative impact.
Got any ideas or opinions? Please drop me a line, because I always want to do better.
Materials
My capes are made from waxed cotton. I chose natural materials because I didn't want to contribute to the growing plastic problem. Waxed cotton has been around for a long time as a waterproof coat material - originally treated with tallow. Today, the standard wax preparations that are used on our capes are vegan. The revolutionary and super modern dry wax *washable* waxed cotton manufactured by British Millerain is silicone based, also vegan.
Modern technical fabrics can contribute to the now overwhelming plastic problem, either through microfibres or end of life disposal. We wanted to go back to the traditional, barrier method of waxed cotton.
Motre recently, cotton has come under closer scrutiny due to the attention rightly shone on the fast fashion industry. The throwaway fashion culture is incredibly damaging. Carny Valley is not throwaway. My capes are investment pieces that will last you for years. My main waxed cotton supplier, British Millerain, is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, supporting more sustainable cotton production and empowering female cotton farmers.
There is the smallest piece of nylon webbing to attach the D-rings for the Easy-Stow hands free Carry System - leather would have excluded vegans and cotton webbing would have worn through too quickly, thus limiting the life of the product. All my design decisions are focus on long-life products.
Modern technical fabrics can contribute to the now overwhelming plastic problem, either through microfibres or end of life disposal. We wanted to go back to the traditional, barrier method of waxed cotton.
Motre recently, cotton has come under closer scrutiny due to the attention rightly shone on the fast fashion industry. The throwaway fashion culture is incredibly damaging. Carny Valley is not throwaway. My capes are investment pieces that will last you for years. My main waxed cotton supplier, British Millerain, is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, supporting more sustainable cotton production and empowering female cotton farmers.
There is the smallest piece of nylon webbing to attach the D-rings for the Easy-Stow hands free Carry System - leather would have excluded vegans and cotton webbing would have worn through too quickly, thus limiting the life of the product. All my design decisions are focus on long-life products.
Production
Carny Valley capes are a 'made in the UK' brand.
Many clothing brands outsource to Indonesia or South East Asia; we travel as far as Smethwick! Pattern developer, Pam Chalmers, helped develop my designs and ideas into working patterns and helps troubleshoot ideas with her steely logic brain. Our newest manufacturer, Harninder (aka Charlie) Chowlia has a family business, established in 1979 by his Dad. I've been to the small factory, had cups of tea, discussed seams, had great business chats and seen my capes being made. Working conditions, accountability, supporting UK industry and transit miles matter to me.
Many clothing brands outsource to Indonesia or South East Asia; we travel as far as Smethwick! Pattern developer, Pam Chalmers, helped develop my designs and ideas into working patterns and helps troubleshoot ideas with her steely logic brain. Our newest manufacturer, Harninder (aka Charlie) Chowlia has a family business, established in 1979 by his Dad. I've been to the small factory, had cups of tea, discussed seams, had great business chats and seen my capes being made. Working conditions, accountability, supporting UK industry and transit miles matter to me.
Packaging
All packaging is recycled, recyclable, compostable and/or reusable.. even the gummed paper tape can be composted. Use the string again, the greaseproof paper.. and so on. Send me pictures.. I like pictures!
#reducereuserecycle
#reducereuserecycle
Future plans
I'm planning a new for old discount.. watch this space!
