Valdone Au
Sustainability and ethical production are the most talkative topics of the year, and yet, many people are still very new to the subject. Social equality, transparency in the product making, trusted supplier chains that support ethical business modules, and quality materials used in a sustainable way, all fit within the ethical and sustainable product range. It is exciting to see that many more new brands are incorporating fairer business approaches to their products and work practises, but when it comes to the fashion, it is always a very challenging subject to many designers. Let’s have a chat with Valdone Au about a sustainable fashion label and what should matter to all of us.
Valdone Au was founded in 2019 by Valdone Auksoriute and Kajetan Swiecki. Fashion designer, Valdone, and fashion photographer and communication designer, Kajetan, decided to create a sustainable fashion brand, based on timeless couture and elegant minimalism. Made-to-measure garments, high quality natural fabrics and business model, established on the key values of transparency and social equality, made the brand known as a slow fashion couture advocate. Impeccable craftsmanship and timeless pieces of Valdone Au became recognised by the brand’s printed fabrics, created using designer’s authentic oil paintings, and all in-house made garments. The brand is also known for its responsible way of using materials, transparency of supplier chains and all in-house product manufacturing.
‘‘Fashion should not cost us the Earth, people’s lives, nor their well-being’’ – Valdone Au.
The commitment for ethical work practise and sustainability, as Valdone Au explains, was and will always be the priority for brand’s garments.
‘‘It is important for more people to receive the knowledge of garment making processes, how it affects their health, surroundings and influences other people’s lives. If more of us would have that knowledge, less would be tempted to invest into so heavily advertised fast fashion.’’ – Valdone.
We live in the era where human activity has the biggest impact on the planet. How we produce, consume and discard pollutes the environment, which, in a long run, affect all of us. People being exploited in factories, strategically running in third world countries, and child labour, is still another very sensitive issue to overcome. But with brands producing their products locally, rather than in underdeveloped regions, we are one step ahead to kinder and more conscious future. Fashion is the second largest polluter in the world, and we can definitely do something about it. Starting with what we consume, how we recycle and reuse, and what people we support in that process is very important. Before buying a garment, or any other item, take a look at the label. Is it manufactured locally or was it produced in underdeveloped countries? What materials and processes are used? And what does the brand you are investing in stands for? There are so many ways to support a sustainable and ethical movement. The question is, what stops us from contributing towards making that change?
Featuring Valdone Auksoriute at her home in Aberdeen, Scotland, wearing Valdone Au slow fashion couture garments and ZYDRUNE ethically made, sustainable jewellery. Photographed by Filip Titarenko.
