Plastic is not fantastic! Talking sustainability with fairtrade fashion brand GAZED
Do you know where your clothes came from? No, not the shop, but the manufacturer! Malta-based eco-streetwear brand, Gazed, is hoping to make a difference in everyday consumer habits, starting with a range of funky fair-trade canvas bags.
If, like us, you're trying your best to cut down on single-use plastic waste, you'll love their graphic totes, perfect for a towel and a novel, or a Sunday at the farmers' market! We caught up with the minds behind Gazed to find out a little more about the brand. Here's what they had to share with Guide Me Malta.
Hi Gazed team! Can you tell us a bit more about the company you've set up?
"Sure! The essence of a mindful life extends well beyond yoga practice, nutrition choices and even activism because it’s what we buy that matters. We often talk about how important it is to know where your food comes from, but we rarely discuss the origin of our clothes. We are detached enough to think that clothes grow in shops. The production of clothes is too far removed — we don’t even think to ask who made our clothes!"
"By becoming a mindful consumer, we affect not only the laws that govern the textile industry but also make an impact on the well-being and health of millions of people and our planet. Slow fashion means fewer pollutants in our air and water, less soil erosion, less fossil fuel usage, better work conditions and much fewer harmful effects on our bodies and the future of our planet."
Who makes up the company?
"Three cool Polish gals - Magda, Joanna and Praga. We all moved here in 2014 and we met each other while working in Valletta. Shortly after, we moved in together and became flatmates and have been best friends ever since!"
That's great! How did the idea for Gazed come about?
"The fashion industry is a sneaky devil in a pretty dress. Gazed was created in 2018 because we wanted to change that. We were tired of regularly wearing and throwing away our overpriced fast-fashion clothes. We couldn’t stand the lack of transparency of brands that we invest our money in. We realized it is not only bad for the environment but it is also a huge waste of time. We also wanted to join the movement of sustainability on the island in a more creative way."
What is the ethos behind the brand?
"Creative eco-streetwear for independent minds. We chose to focus on organic cotton bags due to the realisation that we all need to start changing our everyday habits because the world is drowning in a sea of plastic. We decided to use a cotton bags as a medium to share awareness about plastic pollution. By joining the movement, we can prevent tons of plastic bags becoming waste everyday, by simply bringing our own cotton bag for shopping instead of using single use plastic bags in the shop. Plus, all our bags are organic and fairtrade and are printed with original designs featuring sustainability slogans and graphics, so you can share awareness about the problem in an original way. It's a win, win— for us, the artists and the planet!"
What products do you sell?
"Gazed products are 100% organic cotton and fair-trade that neither cost the earth nor our health. Currently, we sell our bags on ZAAR and t-shirts and sweatshirts will be available on the website. The prints on the clothes are original designs created by international artists, because we believe that eco and art go hand in hand."
The artistic side of the brand is also very important. Can you tell us a bit more about the design process and who designs these fab graphics and artwork?
"We work with independent painters, illustrators, designers and tattoo artists from all around Europe. We look for creative and alternative approaches to art and design. We select the best collections and make them available for print on our beautiful eco-streetwear! We also pay the artists a fair income every time we sell one of their creations on our website."
How has the brand been received? What has the feedback been like?
"We're still just starting out, but all our buyers, so far, and friends who heard about Gazed are thrilled and said that they cannot wait to get one of our t-shirts. That keeps us going! We started a collaboration with Lor Glitz, who is a lifestyle blogger, traveler and environmental warrior like us. She also wants to make a change and believes in us and our brand."
Last but not least, what is the best part of the job?
"The fact that we’re doing it together and that we are helping to create a better future for us and our planet."
Thanks Gazed team, and keep up the great work!