The faces of eco-fashion for children: Iryna Avetisyan
Slow fashion designer Iryna Avetisyan has founded her own ethical eco-fashion label for babies and children: OMOLOKO. Her sustainable designs are timeless and can be passed down from generation to generation. We spoke to Iryna about why she founded OMOLOKO, where she draws her inspiration for her designs and why she is so passionate about and committed to sustainable fashion for children.
Why did you found your eco-fashion label OMOLOKO for children?
When my daughter asked me to create a jacket for her favorite doll, I had the idea for OMOLOKO. I asked her if she would also like a matching dress. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. That was the beginning of my story as a slow fashion designer. I wanted to create original and sustainable fashion for children that was different from conventional fashion. I noticed that it was mainly pieces in bright colors and with sparkling sequins that were hanging in the stores. So I decided to focus on linen and natural colors. It was and is very important to me that it is eco-fashion for children and that the pieces are made from organic and sustainable fabrics.
What considerations go into your sustainable fashion for children?
Slow fashion is particularly important to me and my team. That's why conscious decisions are the foundation of all the measures we take for the production of our pieces - both from the manufacturer's and the consumer's point of view. One of the most important aspects is that all of our eco-fashion for children is made in our hometown in Ukraine. From the design creation to the delivery of the order to the customer, all steps are done here. In this way, we can guarantee waste-free production because all our materials are made from organic, biodegradable fabrics. Another important aspect is that we do not change our eco-fashion for children and the associated collection with every new season. We are concerned with quality, not quantity. So we can continue to offer our bestsellers and avoid waste because all our pieces are biodegradable.
Should parents buy eco-fashion for their children?
Sustainable fashion for children is certainly a little more expensive than clothing from fast fashion brands, but there's a good reason for that. It will definitely last longer, so you can enjoy it for longer. We encourage our customers to give or donate our eco-fashion garments to children or keep them for the next generation when their little ones have grown out of them. It's a really great feeling when your granddaughter wears the same dress that your daughter wore. We believe that these examples of eco-fashion also teach children (and adults) to care for the environment by shopping less. And because all our pieces are timeless, your granddaughter or grandson is sure to enjoy them as much as our family, friends and customers.
Tell us about the background of one of your favorite pieces!
We live in the countryside. So when we go for long walks, we often collect leaves or small sticks. My daughter once painted a picture of a leaf she found. When I saw her doing this, I really wanted to create a leaf-shaped cushion out of linen, which can now be found in many living rooms around the world. I am proud to say that my little girl has been the inspiration for so many of my sustainable designs for children. Her thirst for knowledge and her thirst for adventure are reflected in most of my designs.
Image credits:
Header image: Omoloko (PR)
Image of a child peering through her mother’s sewing machine: Omoloko (PR)
Image of two beautiful OMOLOKO rompers: Omoloko (PR)
Image of leaf cushion: Omoloko (PR)
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