The Earth is made of many beings, all linked to each other, and if we want to keep calling this beautiful place our home, we will have to learn more about these relationships, and how our actions impact on the planet’s beauty. To do this, we have to zoom out – to look at the world like an astronaut and see the whole picture.
It’s a concept that has always been central to the Maakola design and creation process. We believe that clothing is more than just the sum of its parts. When you buy a piece of clothing, it connects you to the people – perhaps thousands of miles away – who designed and made it; and to the people whose stories inspired the very fabric that it’s made from. What you wear creates a space bigger than its own origins.
By developing a culture of care, and respecting both our environment and every single person along the value chain, we can imbue our clothing with values that go beyond self-interest: sustainability, social justice and women’s empowerment. It then works as a catalyst that shapes our individual behavior, and eventually touches threads bigger than our own lives.
Bringing it to life through blockchain
When we buy a new piece of clothing how can we gain the full perspective? How can we zoom out from the garment we have in front of us and see it from someone else’s viewpoint? It isn’t always easy to see the wider picture: the effect of the fabric on our air, or water; the natural resources that might have been compromised during the production process; even the impact on future generations.
With the help of technology, we can now give clothing properties that connect people, awaken their consciousness and eventually spark change – both in individual behaviour and in social, cultural and economic systems globally and locally.
At Maakola we believe that with a 360-degree view we are able to make conscious choices. That’s why we’re working to instil a culture of care using technologies such as blockchain. Every piece of Maakola clothing contains a QR code in the label; when you scan it, you’ll see details of everything from the fabrics (and their certifications) to the packaging and the individual tailor who made it before it became yours.
