MICAM Milan 2022 - Sustainability Talk

(Excerpt from Meher’s talk at MICAM)

Question: What was the source of your inspiration?

Having grown up with trunks of old textiles and vintage costumes I loved tradition and craftsmanship.  With this passion in my heart,  I founded this collection  based on a traditional art of embroidery and shoe making dating back around 400 years.     

The women I work with, pass on their art from mother to daughter for almost 400 years and keep alive the favourite shoes of the Moghul Kings and Queens.  

At Meher Kakalia, we mix Ancient Knowhow with Modern Techniques. What is important to us, is not just being inspired by a tradition but actually working with original crafts women and crafts men.

By bringing modern methods and technology in sourcing materials, lasts, patterns and technology from Europe we bring traditions in line with modern production. On the other side we strip the shoe down to its basics and stitch wherever possible to minimize the use of glue.

Our SUSTAINABILITY PILLARS 

People  X    Respect   X  Keeping traditions alive

FEMALE EMPLOWERMENT

We are proud to work with women who dedicate the whole day to work, keep to fashion deadlines and make no mistakes.  At the same time they bring up their families and children in a remarkable way. Having an eye on the world they are inspired to make sure their children receive a good education and we think some are going on to university.   

Question: What is the role of design in the future of sustainability, from materials to design solutions?

- No Stock: we produce only to client orders and minimise waste.

- Vegetable Tanned Soles which means only natural tanning materials are used combating harmful chemicals that seep into earth.

- We use Recycled Elements as embellishments. Plastic Raffia is spun from discarded bags while off cuts of leather are used to make sequins.

- High quality products which are designed to last and are timeless.

- Sustainable and locally available packaging.

- Why leather? We buy leather from the food chain, it is naturally biodgradeable and lasts long.

- Hand craft means using very little electricity and energy. We use public buses to transport material back and forth and the very nature of our work means it has sustained people for 100s of year and continues to do so.