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The Brand Bio

Founder:

Clare Hynes

Established:

2017

Headquarters:

USA

Country of Manufacture:

Philippines

Clare Hynes is a British designer who previously lived in Manila, Philippines and is now based in Seattle, Washington. Clare is committed to supporting local artisans in the Philippines and creating sustainable livelihood for them and their communities through craftsmanship.

The story of the Soli & Sun collection started when Clare first connected with an under-privileged community of female artisans in Palanog, Tacloban - the city associated with the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan natural disaster. She began by teaching the Tacloban women her own craft making skills, and now Clare is able to provide them with work and an alternative way of earning an income without having to leave their homes and families.

The concept of sustainable craftsmanship also runs through the brand's choice of materials. Clare is excited to be incorporating Piñatex, as well as handwoven Filipino textiles, such as T'nalak and Inabel to the collection.

Every piece in this collection has a story, they are ethically made to combine contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship and social responsibility.

Ethics and Aesthetics

Highlights from Soli & Sun's environmental, social, and personal commitments

Environmental Commitments

Animal-friendly, Cruelty-free

Vegetarian company that does not use leather, skins, fur or feathers in any of its collections or products
No animal testing: prohibits the testing of products or ingredients on animals
No endangered species: does not use materials or substances from species listed as endangered by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
Angora-free: does not use angora in its supply chain
Ethical sourcing of feathers: does not use feathers or down obtained from the live plucking of birds

Ethical Sourcing of Raw Materials

Uses organic materials in its production

Environmental Conservation Efforts and Practices

Collects scrap materials and/or by-products from its own production for outside recycling and/or repurposing

Sustainable Marketing and Packaging Materials

Uses environmentally-friendly marketing and packaging materials made from recycled, recyclable, FSC and/or PEFC certified materials

Sustainable Product Design

Designs its products to last and withstand many wears over the years

Ethical and Sustainable Production / Manufacturing

Manufacturing and Production Processes

Factory is in the Philippines, local to the Brand's country of origin / business operations, reducing its carbon footprint
Sources its raw materials and labour locally: more than fifty percent (50%) of its sourcing is done with local, independent suppliers
Provides employment opportunities for marginalised communities through its production
Manufactures its collections and products in limited quantities, avoiding mass production
Practices eco-friendly screen printing and dyeing in the development of its fabrics

Waste Management and Recycling

Optimises its design and production (e.g. pattern cutting etc.) to minimise fabric and material waste

Fur-free

Does not, and has never, used any and all types of animal fur in its collections or any products
Has made a pledge to prohibit the use of any and all types of animal fur in future collections

Design and Material Innovation

Uses innovative, sustainable fabrics in its collections, such as Piñatex and Jute

Personal and Social Commitments

Traceable Supply and Manufacturing Chain

Has policies and systems in place to maintain knowledge of and manage relationships within its supply chains
Clare Hynes has spent the last two years building her relationships with the two workshops she works with in the Philippines. She also has a strong relationship with the social enterprise that she's built with the ladies in Tacloban, Philippines

Fair Trade Practices

Suppliers pay fairly: ensures that its suppliers pay employees and subcontractors the local minimum and/or living wage
No child or forced labour: supplier/s have policies in place preventing any child and/or forced labour

Product Safety Assurance

Products do not use finishes, paints, and/or adhesives containing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content
Products are PVC-free
Uses non-toxic dyes for its fabrics and other materials

Good Corporate Governance

Fair pay: All employees and subcontractors are paid the local minimum and/or living wage
Provides training to artisans that are part of its supply chain

Handcrafted, Artisanal

Products are handcrafted in the Brand's own studio and factory
Products are handcrafted by the Brand's partner artisans and manufacturers
The Brand's handcrafted products provide livelihood for small communities around the world. Clare Hynes provides a supplemental income for the women in Tacloban that she has partnered with through her social enterprise. The Inabel weave that the brand uses supports communities in Ilocos, the T'nalak weave supports the T'boli women from lake Sebu, the Solihiya weave is produced by a community also from lake Sebu, the brass clasps that are used in the clutch bags provide work for a husband and wife team also from lake Sebu
The brand's handcrafted products provide livelihood for victims or survivors: The social enterprise Clare Hynes set up is based in Tacloban, which is where the most powerful typhoon, Typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013. There are many communities there that are striving to create sustainable livelihoods. The designer hopes that she is doing her small bit to help one such community.
Supports the preservation of cultural skills and techniques through handcrafted production: Clare Hynes celebrates the local crafts that the different communities create, helping to keep traditional crafts alive, which also supports the communities

Relevé Fashion in partnership with

share with you the UN Sustainable Development Goals supported by Soli & Sun

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