In a world full of waste, superficiality and greed the little ‘green’ businesses are standing out more than ever before. They have a very tough job in front of them, one that is wobbly on a day to day basis but the rewards are unforgettable and undeniably give the best feeling ever.
Let us introduce you to WUNDERLANG. A sustainable collection using natural recycled materials such as silk, cotton and wool felt, handmade in England.
After many years working in the fast world of fashion, Andrea, founder of the brand, decided to venture into her own business after the birth of her child. Andrea and her family mostly wear vintage clothes and she wanted to continue this way of living to dress her child, however it became increasingly difficult to source old clothes that had the right durability for a growing boy. With her ‘mother’ eco warrior consciousness kicking in, she made it her mission to source garments made from natural fibres, where they were no longer in a wearable state and effectively saving them from landfill. She started to deconstruct them and make them into new items that children could wear. And this is ultimately how Wunderlang started.
Fabrics which are used, have that delicious soft, sun kissed, wind blown quality of life to them that no new fabric can match up to. And to be able to save a pair of denim trousers and convert them to a chunky knitted cotton jumper is a real skill. Wunderlang does also use yarns which haven’t been repurposed, but if that’s the case, they are all ethically sourced locally in England.
“I run the day to day business such as emails, social media, ordering, website updates and garment making. I have a lady who helps me with the sewing and a lady who knits for me, I would be lost without them. It’s not that I am averse to working with factories but I feel that unless I am on those premises, how can I be sure that there is no exploitation of workers?” Andrea says.
From bespoke pieces to everyday timeless chunky knits and silky dungarees, Wunderlang is a staple for every ‘wild, free and cool’ kids wardrobe. Easily washable, ‘who cares if ironed’ approach and ultimately the cutest, Wunderlang can cater to kids aged 6 months – 5 years and ships worldwide. The styles are comfortable, creative and most are adjustable to add to the length of the wear. True to their heritage, the styling is a mix of English and Austrian traditions, making the items eclectic and personal.
The concept of handing down and treasuring forever is exactly what Wunderlang encapsulates. Knowing that an investment piece will last your children, and then your family and friends, and then be passed back to you for keepsaking is a rarity and something that is unattainable with high street fashion. Wunderlang speaks for itself with its colour palette, and its choice of raw fabrics. Garments speak louder than words and you’ll soon imagine Andrea and her gang running through beaches, searching through woodlands for sticks and stones, and foraging in nearby forests for wild flowers and edible delights. “We spend a lot of time outdoors as a family, so I suppose the seasons affect my approach on colour and choice of fabrics to work with at that moment. For example as we head into the autumn, I feel for warmer, rich tones of conker and rust, soft baby cord and cosy organic merino wool, whereas in the summer, shades of neutral silk feel more relevant.” explains Andrea.
With her other loves being jam making, cake baking and growing her own orchard of fruit and vegetables in her family’s English countryside converted barn, we can just imagine being there with her, roaming free, eating outside and getting muddy wearing Wunderlang’s beautiful silk blouses, trousers and felt hats. Everything Andrea makes is made with love, respect, charm and most importantly a big sprinkle of magic. Wunderlang really is a Wonder and one to treasure forever.