Our Artisans - The Co-creators of Delilah


DELILAH HAS BEEN 12 MONTHS IN THE MAKING, FROM DESIGN TO DELIVERY. 

 

The artisan crochet lace dress - Delilah - by sustainable fashion brand Arnhem

In a world accustomed to a chaotic, fast-paced life, where even climate change is accelerating – Delilah is an exception to the norm.

Today’s mainstream fashion, referred to as fast fashion, relies on globalised mass production
where garments are churned out from design through to delivery often in as little as 2-3 weeks. Sold at low prices, with customers overtly encouraged
to over-consume the detrimental impacts on people and planet are an expense that traditionally global retailers have been willing to bear. 

 


~ TAKING THINGS SLOW ~

“The faster we live, the less emotion is left in the world. The slower we live, the deeper we feel the world around us.”

~ Stanko Abadžic.

The slow living movement is a lifestyle emphasising slower approaches to everyday life;

including our attitude toward food, fashion, work, business, relationships, money and so on.

And it’s not a new fad, or hipster trend.

Slow Food, a local food movement founded in 1986 to counter the rise of fast food in Italy,

thirteen years later became a philosophy for preserving cultural heritage and a way of life for towns and cities around the world.

The term ‘Slow Fashion’ was first coined by Kate Fletcher, from the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, when fashion was compared to the Slow Food experience.

Slow Fashion encompasses quality production, with a focus on sustainability, ethical manufacturing, a nod to preserving cultural traditions,

with small scale production in the hands of people who love what they do.

 

Artisan crochet pieces from bohemian clothing brand Arnhem



~ DELILAH HERALDS A RETURN TO THE ESSENCE OF ARNHEM ~

As a little girl, Arnhem Bickley began sewing clothes for her dolls. From that, her love and passion for the handcrafting process grew.

Sourcing vintage pieces that she would customise by hand and machine in her garage, Arnhem began to sell her tailor-made designs at local markets

- and so Arnhem Clothing was born.

 

~ DELILAH EMBODIES THE ART OF SLOW ~

The Delilah treasures are beautiful, artisanal, hand-crafted pieces made by specialist female crochet-lace makers in India.

Each piece takes the artisan up to two weeks to create by hand and is born with a story and a soul.

By embracing the concept of co-creation our aim is to help to preserve this cultural heritage for future generations to come.

Arnhem co-creators are artisans from West Godavri in India who make crochet lace

 

~ ARTISAN TRADITIONS ARE CULTURAL ASSETS ~

We were introduced by our makers to this incredible cottage-industry that operates from a village that sits on the banks of the Godavari River, in the West Godavri district

in Andhra Pradesh, India. It’s believed that the women of the rural farming communities in this region started creating highly attractive objects from colourful lace

more than 150 years ago. Preserving traditions passed on by generations, this cottage-industry enables women to work part, or full time from their homes.

 


~ WOMEN AS AGENTS OF CHANGE ~


Enabling women to stay at home, or work with others in their local village has not only preserved traditions,

but has made lace-making their primary means of livelihood.

At risk of being marginalised, by empowering women in rural coastal areas it has created a ripple effect,

as they invest back into their families and communities on multiple levels.

Artisans are engaged in exploring new concepts and ideas.

Supported and trained by master lace-makers who visit their homes and villages, opportunities to be included in the value chain

of global brands provides opportunities for growth, and stability of income. 


We are committed to fair labour and environmentally friendly practices implemented across these value chains.

The creation of Delilah has a positive impact on so many peoples lives.

 

Slow fashion brand Arnhem clothing is sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly  


~ RESPECT & PROTECTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ~

Sustainability is central to every decision made at Arnhem.

Delilah is lovingly crafted from 100% organic cotton.

Whereas conventional cotton uses large amounts of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms

which are not only harmful to natural eco systems but farmers, makers and customers are also exposed to toxic chemicals.

The process of growing organic cotton has less environmental impact using sustainable methods; less water and energy is used and soil health is improved.

Water contamination is prevented and biodiversity is preserved.

Organic cotton is an environmentally and socially responsible alternative to conventionally grown cotton, and a safe for our artisans who create by hand.

 

Organic cotton clothing from Arnhem - fashion that doesn't cost the earth.

~ INVESTING IN AUTHENTICITY ~


We believe in creating beautiful, timeless pieces for our customers with respect to people and planet.

From design through to delivery Delilah’s creation has been more than a year.

This slow and sustainable approach to design is something that Arnhem cares deeply about.

Knowing who made your clothes is important for you too and sharing the journey is critical so that together we can drive lasting change in an industry we’re both invested in.

Together we can make fashion become more environmentally and economically sustainable.

Know that what you buy makes a difference 🌏💚