Today we’d like to introduce you to Mima Osawa.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My fashion journey started when I stepped foot into a local fabric warehouse, only to be appalled by the endless amount of deadstock fabric rolls piled in front of me. And in most unfortunate cases, these excess fabrics get dumped straight to landfills, even when it’s new, in perfect condition, and untouched. The glamorous curtains of fashion were pulled aside, and I was hit was the reality of an industry that needed fixing. From there, I learnt of the detrimental impact fashion has on the people and the planet – the more I knew about this damaging industry, the more I couldn’t turn a blind eye. It was an opportunity for me to take on a challenge and responsibility to change it for the better; to build a passionate brand that had sustainability at its core. It didn’t take me long to pick up a sewing machine and upcycle these deadstock fabrics into an entire new collection.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There are constant challenges, sometimes, you hit a roadblock and it feels impossible to overcome. I’m a big advocate for talking about challenges, and I understand it can be difficult for people to talk about – sometimes, these issues can feel too big to tackle alone. However, having such a supportive community of friends behind me was what always kept me going. Nothing about running a sustainable business is easy, but at the end of the day – it’s all worth it. I like to think that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. There’s always room for improvement and room to learn as an entrepreneur.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I design and make clothing by implementing sustainable practices to reverse the fast fashion trend so that future generations do not inherit a ruined planet. This includes repurposing and upcycling deadstock fabrics, using natural and eco-friendly materials as opposed to synthetics, and following the zero-waste philosophy and made-to-order business model. It’s not the idea that I can make another beautiful dress, although empowering our customers to feel their best is essential. But it’s the positive impact that I’m able to make with the brand that keeps me going, and that is what I’m most proud of. For me, success will always be measured by the positive impact we make on the fashion industry, so seeing those changes, however small is what makes me most proud.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Being home in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We’re so remote from the rest of the world that I feel like being away from the fast-paced, saturated industry can also be healthy for the mind and creative process. There’s something about being in nature, peace, and quiet that allows my mind to explore and be more creative. It’s definitely my happy place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://monohandmade.com/
- Instagram: mono.handmades
Image Credits
Danielle McCleave
Brennan Alexa
Danielle Gersonde
Brenden Donahue
Yoshi Tanaka
