Mila Moisio and Kaisa Rissanen are Helsinki-based fashion and costume designers who are also in search of new ways to design and produce fashion. They are lifelong best friends who have been building TAUKO through shared values and aesthetics since 2008. Mila and Kaisa both studied to become art researchers, but soon found themselves enamored with the cyclical world of textiles.
WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY AND BEING ECOLOGICAL MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY?
As individuals, we believe strongly that one’s actions can make a difference, globally. We live according to our own ideals and by doing so, we hope to create more sustainable and ecologically responsible way of being. Instead of a car, we choose bike or a train, we shop for local food and favour independent small restaurants when we go out for having a dinner. We fix instead of buying new (and actually we fix instead of selling new also!) and we rather read a book, have a walk by the coast or enjoy an art exhibition than go shopping, when we have free time in our hands.
For us, sustainability is a lot about being responsible of our own actions and about caring the people and the environment. We follow the political and cultural debates that reflect the values of our time and take part in them with our work. Giving the opportunity, for people who are not engaged in fashion business, to see what are the costs and effects of clothe production, is one of the many things we try to accomplish with our work. This is how we want to show that we care, truly.
HOW DOES TAUKO PROMOTE ITS SUSTAINABILITY?
All the TAUKO garments are crafted from high quality recycled textiles. We work together with textile maintenance companies in Finland and in Germany to guarantee the high quality textiles that are used as the raw materials for our production. Soft and durable table clothes and bedlinen get a second life as TAUKO dresses, tops, jackets and trousers.
The collections are made in small batches by local sewing companies in Finland and in Estonia. Each company has a culture of respect for the worker and high quality production. The whole production chain is visible: it is written in the hang tag that is attached to each garment.
Working in close collaboration with the textile suppliers and research groups we develop new methods to modify the used textiles for fashion. These new formulas are presented together with the designs as the new collections are released.
HOW RESPONSIBILITY IN FASHION INDUSTRY COULD BE PROMOTED MORE?
It is important that the issues of sustainability, ecology and transparency are discussed in public. As long as things are done in the shadows and eyes are closed, there isn’t much that can be done. When transparency is demanded, we are on the right track.
WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT IN THE FIELD OF CLOTHING INDUSTRY?
In textile industry, we are particularly concerned about the massive mistreatment of nature and poor working conditions.
NAME THE MAIN OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN YOUR FIELD OF INDUSTRY AND PRODUCTION.
Our business is based on the principles of upcycling, which means that we re-use materials. Most of the challenges that we face, are related to the production as it requires a lot of crafting and at the other end, a lot of sorting. This is an opportunity to create a work for people, but first we need to find the respect for the work!
Psssst! TAUKO x Neulomo pre sale is on NOW! All products are made in Nokia from leftover fabrics.
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