Sustainability use to be a foreign word. Some people would even associate the word with crunchy hippies along with anything bio, eco or fair trade. It wasn’t chic or cool or minimal in anyway. Fast forward to now and sustainable is all of the above, cool, chic, sexy, minimal and totally on trend. But let’s be clear here, front runners in this realm of sustainability do not want this to be a trend but a lifestyle.
The fashion industry has been long over due for a change, a massive change in their production, ethics, mental health awareness and their sustainability. Even though the big companies are taking their time to address these issues, designers that have worked for these big companies are setting out on their own to address these issue one small brand at a time.
This week’s Style Sessions I teamed up with sustainable brand Faix Designs. I styled their Belt Bag WYSIWYG showing how to wear it with three different outfits. Check it out here if you haven’t seen it.
But today I chat with the owner and designer of Faix Design, Anna Faix. I ask her about her brand, her influences and what sustainability means to her. Please read on.
Tell me about yourself. What is your background?
Hey, I am Anna Lena, a child from the 80´s, that grew up close to Freiburg. I have a professional background in fashion design. Having studied in Trier and in Madrid, I enjoyed a diversified education. After finishing my studies in Trier, I worked for two fashion brands, one being fair trade. I started working freelance in 2017.
I came a mother in 2018 and have another on the way!!!!
What inspired you to start Faix Design?
I got inspired to start Faix after working in the industry and realizing that my original dream was always connected to the realization of my own values and designs.
Slow Fashion, Fair Fashion and vegan materials have inspired me to create ethically friendly and justifiable fashion. My first Idea of a Faix Collection was created for my Bachelor thesis. The topic “Invisible Shell”, inspired by a socalled Transparent Society (“Transparenzgesellschaft” & Müdigkeitsgesellschaft) books by Byung-Chul Han) led me to work with transparent materials.
The collection included wearables which weren’t very suitable for everyday use. Resulting from that, I got the original idea of a transparent bag collection.
Tell us about your collection. What inspired your current collection?
I wouldn't say that this is a completely new collection, I would rather refer to it as an extension of previous products.
I constantly strive to improve my products in design, function and sustainable production.
Since Faix is a slow fashion brand, we don’t work in the classic order of releasing collections, but focus on working step by step on the improvement and development of products.
I would say our motto is constant progress…the steady development of quality over quantity!
When designing, where do you go to for inspiration? For example: Cafes, museums, magazines, Pinterest?
It really depends on my current state, mood and the situation that I find myself in. Mostly, it is a combination of various actions and activities:
simple and effective research of mood pages, forecast websites....combined
with an inspiring museum visit or walk in nature. Sometimes ideas come easily and other times they come gradually cultivating and blossoming slowly.
I know sustainability is important to you, what does sustainability mean to you?
For me sustainability is a life motto, that I try to respect in my daily life as well as in my professional decisions. The exploitation of animals and unfair working conditions for humans are no longer contemporary nor acceptable.
It is still hard to find perfect replacements for animal-based fibers, such as leather, which has been used for centuries. But there are companies which constantly strive to develop innovative and beautiful alternatives. Such as a European company that we work with, which produces materials out of PET bottle recycling from the sea.
Our latest backpack collection is made out of 90% recycled materials.
How would you describe your personal style? Does this influence your designs?
I do think my personal style matches the Faix-Style. I am a minimalist with a sportive touch.
I love modern, but minimal cuts with some interesting details.
Who are your favourite designers?
I find that a hard question to answer. When I studied it was a common thing to think of idols and look up to fashion designers. Nowadays, I find there is an over-saturated market and a lot to choose from.
I still love Stella McCartney´s style, an effortless chic empowering woman with an understanding of animal and environmental kindness.
Moreover, I also like the brand Paloma Wool from Barcelona. Paloma has a very unique approach to design and also the presentation of it, using a wide range of handcrafts and materials and collaborating with unique performance artists and fellow local artists.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would this be? Why?
I'm not sure, but I would collaborate with individuals, not directly with labels.
People tell stories…Individuals, who do something unique, make a difference,
express a point: artists, chefs, musicians, activists...
For someone who wants to become a more conscious buyer, what advice would you give them?
My main advice would be to never lose your curiosity. Ask, ask, ask.
Where does the product come from?
What is it made of?
Who stands behind this?
Don’t just buy because something is cheap and looks nice, but buy a story behind the product and make conscious decisions.
When you are in the studio designing, do you listen to music? If so, who do you listen to?
I always wear my headphones in my studio and listen to music or podcasts.
Actually, a wide range of things depending on my mood and my tasks, it can differ between contemporary things like Little Element or even classical music which calms me down.
For someone who wants to start their own business, what advice do you have for them?
I would say patience is the key, endurance in every way - never give up, just push through it. There are many obstacles that you have to overcome, but in the end it's the small things that you will appreciate and can celebrate.
I would always recommend that you keep on going and instead of giving up, just get a second job/income on the side, but don’t lose the passion for your baby.
Any news? Or something you would like to share with us?
YES!
After several hiccups and corona related roadblocks, we will finally receive our backpacks next week from our manufacturer and soon we will receive our first Faix children's backpacks. :) Colorful, transparent, fair, vegan, functional and fun!
