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Get to know female founder Raakhee Tailor as she takes us behind the seams of her sustainable brand, Wild Saint London and shares her inspiration, sustainable values, and a little bit about herself.
What got you started in fashion?
Being born and raised in London, I was never far from fashion. I was always drawn to beautiful fabrics, to feel them, the way they are against the skin. I then studied at the London College of Fashion to explore this obsession a bit further and instead of satisfying my curiosity, it ignited something in me to pursue this road.
At the same time, I had gorgeous designer pieces in my wardrobe but became very uncomfortable with the behaviour of these brands and businesses. From setting fire to millions of pounds worth of excess stock to preserve their brand image, to chopping down thousand-year old trees to hold a catwalk or preventing workers in their garment factories from forming trade unions to fight for fair wages and safe working conditions. Suddenly these designer items didn’t feel amazing to wear. They were tainted. I decided a sustainable luxury alternative was needed, one with sustainability and doing the right thing built into its DNA; without compromising on the beautiful fabrics and craftsmanship that I so love. From this, the Wild Saint London brand emerged. It's luxury with a clean conscience.
I know many of these brands now have changed these behaviour and have a sustainable policy in place, but sustainability is not woven into their DNA and business practices in the way it is for a brand designed to be sustainable at heart.
In one word, how would you describe your brand?
In one word… oh that’s easy. EXQUISITE.
What for you are essential elements in designing your collection?
Our design process is complex even though the result may appear to be simple. I brainstorm everything and then filter down via key principles, asking myself a few things, which include: Can this be worn for everyday? Will it still be relevant in 10 or 20 years time? Can it be paired effortlessly with most things in a modern wardrobe? Does the fabric make me melt because it’s so sumptuous to touch?
What to you is good design?
Good design is making the wearer feel incredible, that they reach for the item time and time again and look forward to that.
Have you had any surprising learnings about sustainability and fashion as you've developed your brand?
Sustainability is complex and that is why you must find brands you trust. There are many visible and invisible things that make a garment sustainable. For example, I can use sustainable fabrics but if I then have my garments made in an EU factory, that doesn’t allow its workers to form a trade union and protect their worker rights. This raises the issue of the garment being sustainable for the planet but not the garment makers. For a consumer there is no label that can show them this, which is why they must trust that the brand does this research and works to this standard.
What’s one thing you wished everyone knew about sustainability?
It’s worth it so just try, and every small effort matters. We need lots of people to make a small effort instead of a few people making a huge effort.
What are your own wardrobe staples?
Being a Londoner I need a scarf, sunglasses, and an umbrella all in the same day for most of the year hahaha!
How do you integrate sustainability into your own lifestyle?
It’s tough but I make considered decisions, from fashion to health and beauty, to travel and food. I don’t always succeed but I do try. Every small change makes the difference.
What do you like to do to unwind?
I play Capoeira which is a Brazilian martial art and dance. You will notice I don’t say fight to describe Capoeira because that’s not the intention with which we train. I have practiced this in London for over 15 years and I am constantly captivated and inspired by the dance, movement, and music.
I am also an avid reader and backpacker. I love stories and adventures. London museums and national parks are always a favourite pastime, but my other big passion is snowboarding. However, this makes the hard-hitting reality of climate change impossible to ignore and ultimately bring me back full circle to my work and principles with the Wild Saint London brand.
Get to know female founder Raakhee Tailor as she takes us behind the seams of her sustainable brand, Wild Saint London and shares her inspiration, sustainable values, and a little bit about herself.
What got you started in fashion?
Being born and raised in London, I was never far from fashion. I was always drawn to beautiful fabrics, to feel them, the way they are against the skin. I then studied at the London College of Fashion to explore this obsession a bit further and instead of satisfying my curiosity, it ignited something in me to pursue this road.
At the same time, I had gorgeous designer pieces in my wardrobe but became very uncomfortable with the behaviour of these brands and businesses. From setting fire to millions of pounds worth of excess stock to preserve their brand image, to chopping down thousand-year old trees to hold a catwalk or preventing workers in their garment factories from forming trade unions to fight for fair wages and safe working conditions. Suddenly these designer items didn’t feel amazing to wear. They were tainted. I decided a sustainable luxury alternative was needed, one with sustainability and doing the right thing built into its DNA; without compromising on the beautiful fabrics and craftsmanship that I so love. From this, the Wild Saint London brand emerged. It's luxury with a clean conscience.
I know many of these brands now have changed these behaviour and have a sustainable policy in place, but sustainability is not woven into their DNA and business practices in the way it is for a brand designed to be sustainable at heart.
In one word, how would you describe your brand?
In one word… oh that’s easy. EXQUISITE.
What for you are essential elements in designing your collection?
Our design process is complex even though the result may appear to be simple. I brainstorm everything and then filter down via key principles, asking myself a few things, which include: Can this be worn for everyday? Will it still be relevant in 10 or 20 years time? Can it be paired effortlessly with most things in a modern wardrobe? Does the fabric make me melt because it’s so sumptuous to touch?
What to you is good design?
Good design is making the wearer feel incredible, that they reach for the item time and time again and look forward to that.
Have you had any surprising learnings about sustainability and fashion as you've developed your brand?
Sustainability is complex and that is why you must find brands you trust. There are many visible and invisible things that make a garment sustainable. For example, I can use sustainable fabrics but if I then have my garments made in an EU factory, that doesn’t allow its workers to form a trade union and protect their worker rights. This raises the issue of the garment being sustainable for the planet but not the garment makers. For a consumer there is no label that can show them this, which is why they must trust that the brand does this research and works to this standard.
What’s one thing you wished everyone knew about sustainability?
It’s worth it so just try, and every small effort matters. We need lots of people to make a small effort instead of a few people making a huge effort.
What are your own wardrobe staples?
Being a Londoner I need a scarf, sunglasses, and an umbrella all in the same day for most of the year hahaha!
How do you integrate sustainability into your own lifestyle?
It’s tough but I make considered decisions, from fashion to health and beauty, to travel and food. I don’t always succeed but I do try. Every small change makes the difference.
What do you like to do to unwind?
I play Capoeira which is a Brazilian martial art and dance. You will notice I don’t say fight to describe Capoeira because that’s not the intention with which we train. I have practiced this in London for over 15 years and I am constantly captivated and inspired by the dance, movement, and music.
I am also an avid reader and backpacker. I love stories and adventures. London museums and national parks are always a favourite pastime, but my other big passion is snowboarding. However, this makes the hard-hitting reality of climate change impossible to ignore and ultimately bring me back full circle to my work and principles with the Wild Saint London brand.
Get to know female founder Raakhee Tailor as she takes us behind the seams of her sustainable brand, Wild Saint London and shares her inspiration, sustainable values, and a little bit about herself.
What got you started in fashion?
Being born and raised in London, I was never far from fashion. I was always drawn to beautiful fabrics, to feel them, the way they are against the skin. I then studied at the London College of Fashion to explore this obsession a bit further and instead of satisfying my curiosity, it ignited something in me to pursue this road.
At the same time, I had gorgeous designer pieces in my wardrobe but became very uncomfortable with the behaviour of these brands and businesses. From setting fire to millions of pounds worth of excess stock to preserve their brand image, to chopping down thousand-year old trees to hold a catwalk or preventing workers in their garment factories from forming trade unions to fight for fair wages and safe working conditions. Suddenly these designer items didn’t feel amazing to wear. hey were tainted. I decided a sustainable luxury alternative was needed, one with sustainability and doing the right thing built into its DNA; without compromising on the beautiful fabrics and craftsmanship that I so love. From this, the Wild Saint London brand emerged. It's luxury with a clean conscience.
I know many of these brands now have changed these behaviour and have a sustainable policy in place, but sustainability is not woven into their DNA and business practices in the way it is for a brand designed to be sustainable at heart.
In one word, how would you describe your brand?
In one word… oh that’s easy. EXQUISITE.
What for you are essential elements in designing your collection?
Our design process is complex even though the result may appear to be simple. I brainstorm everything and then filter down via key principles, asking myself a few things, which include: Can this be worn for everyday? Will it still be relevant in 10 or 20 years time? Can it be paired effortlessly with most things in a modern wardrobe? Does the fabric make me melt because it’s so sumptuous to touch?
What to you is good design?
Good design is making the wearer feel incredible, that they reach for the item time and time again and look forward to that.
Have you had any surprising learnings about sustainability and fashion as you've developed your brand?
Sustainability is complex and that is why you must find brands you trust. There are many visible and invisible things that make a garment sustainable. For example, I can use sustainable fabrics but if I then have my garments made in an EU factory, that doesn’t allow its workers to form a trade union and protect their worker rights. This raises the issue of the garment being sustainable for the planet but not the garment makers. For a consumer there is no label that can show them this, which is why they must trust that the brand does this research and works to this standard.
What’s one thing you wished everyone knew about sustainability?
It’s worth it so just try, and every small effort matters. We need lots of people to make a small effort instead of a few people making a huge effort.
What are your own wardrobe staples?
Being a Londoner I need a scarf, sunglasses, and an umbrella all in the same day for most of the year hahaha!
How do you integrate sustainability into your own lifestyle?
It’s tough but I make considered decisions, from fashion to health and beauty, to travel and food. I don’t always succeed but I do try. Every small change makes the difference.
What do you like to do to unwind?
I play Capoeira which is a Brazilian martial art and dance. You will notice I don’t say fight to describe Capoeira because that’s not the intention with which we train. I have practiced this in London for over 15 years and I am constantly captivated and inspired by the dance, movement, and music.
I am also an avid reader and backpacker. I love stories and adventures. London museums and national parks are always a favourite pastime, but my other big passion is snowboarding. However, this makes the hard-hitting reality of climate change impossible to ignore and ultimately bring me back full circle to my work and principles with the Wild Saint London brand.
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