20 Jul No Scrap of Fabric is Left to Waste

 FEL is delighted to be working with KAPDAA.com THE OFFCUT COMPANY on a new range of sustainable bags.  Nish, KAPDAA CEO, has long been an advocate of upcycling and recycling and has recently had pop-up shops in Kingston selling items such as covered books, tote bags and card holders. All the items are hand crafted, sustainable and no scrap of fabric is too small. Nish proudly proclaims that they have saved over 6,400m of fabric going into landfill over the last three years. 

Nish commented:  “Playing at my mother’s feet in her fashion studio, I dreamed up endless creative possibilities for the unused fabric dotting the floor. Many years later, when some of these textile pieces and I were on first name basis, I picked up one and crafted a one-of-a-kind bookmark. I didn’t even know it, but that first offcut marked a fresh chapter of my life, which told a story of eco-friendly, sustainable products that were a labour of love.

“My simple idea of making something out of nothing struck a chord with brands, designers, and clients worldwide and KAPDAA – THE OFFCUT COMPANY was born.”

FEL has started to work with Nish since January 2023 and it’s with sincere pleasure that we are now commencing our first order with Nish. Two boxes of fabrics arrived – all scraps, all different shapes and sizes but every single one of them is beautiful; many are silk. 

Laying up has been a huge issue, very time consuming but we are absolutely committed to sustainability with everything that we do so sometimes you just have to roll up your sleeves and get on with the business. Currently we are at the laying up and cutting stage so we will keep you posted on whats to come next. 

As part of our on going commitment to updating the learners and designers at the FC Designer Workspace we have liaised with both on the modus operandi of the program. Gee has been her normal fantastic self and has taken the offcuts from the offcuts and provided them free of charge to the designers. 

Gee commented: “As I am now responsible for TOMs and the Social Value Matrix I wanted to ensure I fully understand the requirements of FEL to Islington Council. I am looking into every program to see how we can relate our core business of garment making and education into the Social Value Matrix. 

“There is so much market change and this is why I thought that the designers and learners can use the beautiful scraps of fabric left so this is really a double upcycling program! In addition when I was with the designers we discussed how we can help further on all areas of sustainability and ethics as well as attracting sales and new marketing techniques.”