The new fashion collection “SAMURAI” by MEM Paula Malleus is by far the most unique fashion collection you’ve ever seen. The main material used in the collection is worn, old jeans. Read further why it can be called the world’s most ecological collection!
The MEM SAMURAI collection is available on the 30th of November in Weecos.
These MEM SAMURAI collection’s garments are made entirely from jeans, collected from Finnish consumers. All of these extremely well-made clothes are serially produced in Helsinki, Finland. Amazing, right?
The NOBASA tunic dress and KAPE jacket each save approximately 12 200 litres of water.
***
In addition to their stunning looks, uniqueness, these garments have saved hundreds of thousands of kilos and liters of natural resources! The MEM by Paula Malleus collections MIPS-numbers are good. Actually, they are excellent, one of a kind, because they are negative!
Why’s that? Because they are up-cycled, made from post-consumer waste and scrap.
But perhaps the pair of words, MIPS-figures, isn’t familiar to you? MIPS is shortened from the words Material input per unit of service. And with the MIPS-figures, it is possible to find out the amount of natural resources used in making the product and then compare it to the benefits of it.
It is an economic measuring concept and it can be used to measure eco-efficiency of a product or service. In other words, it is used to compare different products and their ecological impact.
The lower the MIPS-number is, the more eco-efficient the product is. And if the number is negative, like in Paula Malleus’s garments, the product actually saves resources!
For example, this TORI-evening gown’s water savings is as high as 32 707 liters! It corresponds to approximately one person’s drinking water in 60 years*. If you’re interested in each product’s specific water saving figures, they can be found at the end of this article.
This stunning TORI-gown will be seen in the Independence Day reception this year.
***
The MIPS-numbers in a price tag, for example, would help also you as a consumer. If the price tags would contain these figures, the comparison between different products would be much easier. Or what do you think?
Unfortunately, according to Outi Pyy, neither fashion brands, nor many eco fashion brands have taken the MIPS-number into use or make clothes-to-clothes collections.
It took two years to create and produce the SAMURAI collection, which was inspired by the Japanese samurai culture. All products are made in Helsinki, Finland.
By doing garments from post-consumer waste, “the hardest way of doing fashion”, Paula challenges the whole textile industry system. She uses only materials, jeans in this particular collection, that already have had their first run in life.
In addition, this stunning collection is a serial production collection, which means no matter size you are, you can wear these SAMURAI clothes. And therefore Paula’s, a master seamstress and founder of Remake EcoDesign, is the world’s most ecological fashion collection.
The KURIN sleeveless top saves 8 200 litres, the WAIDO flared trousers 20 400 litres and the KOHANI maxi-skirt approximately 20 400 litres of water.
***
Want to learn more about MIPS? Please, visit the website of The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and Outi Les Pyy’s blog.
WATER SAVINGS PER PRODUCT:
“KURIN” sleeveless top – approximately 8 200 litres
“WAIDO” flared trousers – approx. 20 400 litres
“TAITO” trousers – approx. 14 300 litres
“KAPE” jacket – approx. 12 200 litres
“TERU” jacket – approx. 8 100 litres
“SAME” skirt – approx. 14 300 litres
“KOHANI” maxi-skirt – approx. 20 400 litres
“NOBASA” tunic dress – approx. 12 200 litres
“TORI” evening dress – approx. 32 700 litres
*) It is estimated that one person’s drinking water consumption is an average of 1.5 litres per day.
Photo credits:
Photos by Jussi Ratilainen Photography
Styling by Outi Pyy
MUAH by Jopo Sḯmeon K
Model Mia / Brand