We were thrilled to catch up with circle supporter and leading light in sustainable fashion, Rina Einy. be inspired by her story.
We’re proud to have Culthread as a corporate partner, What inspired you to build an ethical clothing brand?
I founded Culthread because despite being in the outerwear business I found it difficult to find a quality coat that I loved, which was in sync with my values. How a garment is made has always been important to me. I wasn’t prepared to wear a jacket that incorporated animal products or was associated with unethical manufacturing practices and supply chains.
Culthread was born out of a desire to create the perfect jacket for the modern woman who gives a damn; one that is stylish (not faddish), appropriately warm, practical (with a hood, several inside & outside pockets), and importantly one that cares about the planet, and the people and animals who live on it.
What challenges did you face?
Producing small quantities of products using fully recycled materials from credible sources at a competitive price point is no easy feat. My team of suppliers in Asia have been working to find the perfect materials for us to use for years, and whilst our products have always been 100% animal cruelty free, the industry still has a way to go when it comes to the variety of recycled materials available.
Our products are exclusively made in our own atelier in HCM, Vietnam, where our small skilled team make patterns and prototypes using the latest software to keep the cost of resources, such as making physical samples and shipping, low. Working exclusively with our own team means that we have limited capacity for production, and have to think hard about the number of styles and quantity of pieces that we make.
What led you to partnering with The Circle?
As a feminist I believe that it is vital to address the causes of gender inequality in order to make the world a better place for all life on earth. Being involved in the fashion industry, I am very concerned with the abuses of (mainly) women garment workers that continues unchecked globally. The Circle is a leading activist in this space, working tirelessly to empower women across the world, and I am proud that Culthread is a partner of The Circle.
Who inspires you to keep going?
Our amazing customers who are so positive about what we stand for and what we are doing. We are very fortunate indeed to have them!
What advice would you give to other activists hoping to build a sustainable business?
Acceptance that it is a journey is an important concept for any sustainable business. I would have loved for everything to be perfect from day 1 but have realised that each step is important, and we can always get improve. Stay firm with your core values but be open to new ideas and opportunities to build stronger and better. On a personal level, rather than dwell on weakness, focus on strengths. It can be demoralising and unproductive to focus solely on weakness, instead centre your attention on the areas of strength and how you can leverage these to make things happen and make positive change.
How do you relax at the end of a busy day?
I’m a competitive squash player, and love to hit some balls on court after a busy day. I’ve always been passionate about sport having been a tennis pro for several of my teen years. I also love to read (on my bedside table at the moment “The Power of Women” by Dr. Denis Mukwege and “Detransition, Baby” by Torrey Peters.
visit Culthread here
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