Hello readers! This is Abi. She is based in Devon, making beautiful one of a kind clothing. Here's Abi to tell you more...
"I have always enjoyed making things really, but Abi Bansal Design was initially borne of frustration, It used to really annoy me that I was paying over the odds for the same mass produced, generic garments that were poorly made and which were the same as everyone else. Being almost entirely self taught I learnt very much by trial and error and realised that with practice I could make the things I wanted, exactly how I wanted them. I am a handbag addict and began making bags and purses for myself and as gifts for friends. It never really occurred to me that anyone would want to buy them until a lady stopped me whilst I was out shopping to ask were I got my bright green button encrusted bag from. After admitting that yes, I had made it she offered to buy it right there. After that I began work on a small collection of handbags which I sold out of a friends shop. It was whilst searching for supplies online that I discovered a whole world of craft blogs, written by people making and selling things like I was. After several months of selling my accessories on sites like www.etsy.com and getting to know the network of UK based artisans I found the confidence to experiment and expand. One day I uploaded a photograph of a dress I had made to the photo sharing website flickr and received an avalanche of positive comments. After revisiting some of the techniques I already had, I learnt how to make patterns and realised that the whole process came pretty naturally to me. From there I began making a few clothing pieces and built the seasonal collections from there, inspired by nature, lifestyle, and comfort. I design for women like myself who shouldn’t have to pay over the odds to have well fitting garments in beautiful fabrics. I keep a sketchbook of ideas and pictures which can often be the starting point for a piece. I also like to invent scenarios for the customer- who is she and where is she going? Very often I will look to my own wardrobe and see what is missing. My current Autumn/Winter collection is inspired by Scandinavia, cocktail parties and weekends in the Devon Hills.
It worries me that for the most part- the textile industry is responsible for a huge percentage of waterway pollution, unethical working conditions and subsequent related problems. In an age where the consumer demand for cheap, throwaway apparel is being met with alarming speed it is up to us to do what we can to change the way we shop and in turn the labels we support. I cannot help but feel that the delight I take in my bargain £3 tee shirts will ultimately mean a worker in another country is being placed under unrealistic pressure to produce more, better, faster, cheaper. We all have a responsibility as consumers to think about where and how we shop and use the power that our ability to choose has afforded us. When I first began making clothes I realised early on that I had to price things honestly, but even the most reasonable of prices seem extortionate when compared with the rack upon rack of £10 dresses. I feel that now I have reached a happy medium where the cost of producing an item impacts as little on the environment as possible. I only buy as much fabric as I require and from local producers wherever possible, I favour natural over synthetic fibres and have recently switched to using less harmful detergents and organic fabric dyes. I am a workforce of one so can guarantee the worker is happy and well treated!"
It worries me that for the most part- the textile industry is responsible for a huge percentage of waterway pollution, unethical working conditions and subsequent related problems. In an age where the consumer demand for cheap, throwaway apparel is being met with alarming speed it is up to us to do what we can to change the way we shop and in turn the labels we support. I cannot help but feel that the delight I take in my bargain £3 tee shirts will ultimately mean a worker in another country is being placed under unrealistic pressure to produce more, better, faster, cheaper. We all have a responsibility as consumers to think about where and how we shop and use the power that our ability to choose has afforded us. When I first began making clothes I realised early on that I had to price things honestly, but even the most reasonable of prices seem extortionate when compared with the rack upon rack of £10 dresses. I feel that now I have reached a happy medium where the cost of producing an item impacts as little on the environment as possible. I only buy as much fabric as I require and from local producers wherever possible, I favour natural over synthetic fibres and have recently switched to using less harmful detergents and organic fabric dyes. I am a workforce of one so can guarantee the worker is happy and well treated!"
These are Abi’s tips for starting up independently:-
“Have confidence in your product. Know what you do and stick to it but be honest about what doesn’t work- I always had a clear idea of the kind of work I wanted to produce but no idea if others would want to buy it. It’s a process of trial and error but if you are realistic about it and happy with whatever it is you have made, your customer will be too.
There have been times when I have realised that I was drastically underselling myself. Placing a value on your work is always hard but remember that it is not just the item you are selling- it is your time too!"
“Work work work- and try not to be discouraged! it doesn’t just happen. There have been many times when I have considered giving up and it has taken two years of pretty much solid promotion to get to a point where I have regular visitors to my shop. Remember that competition is fierce so you need to stand out!. Check out local independent shops and retail sites like Etsy or Folksy. Start a blog and write about your crafty endeavours with a link to the things you sell, seek out and join in craft forums and find like minded people. These could well be your customers! I would not even be where I am without the support of my fantastic UK based crafters who have supported me along the way, put custom work my way when I was short of cash and couldn’t afford supplies and generally been a shoulder to cry on when I thought it just wasn’t going to happen.Most importantly take regular tea breaks. You don’t want to burn out!”
Abi hopes to keep making clothes for people and expand her website in the new year, which is exciting – we will look out for it!
blog http://trainersinnightclubs.wordpress.com/
“Have confidence in your product. Know what you do and stick to it but be honest about what doesn’t work- I always had a clear idea of the kind of work I wanted to produce but no idea if others would want to buy it. It’s a process of trial and error but if you are realistic about it and happy with whatever it is you have made, your customer will be too.
There have been times when I have realised that I was drastically underselling myself. Placing a value on your work is always hard but remember that it is not just the item you are selling- it is your time too!"
“Work work work- and try not to be discouraged! it doesn’t just happen. There have been many times when I have considered giving up and it has taken two years of pretty much solid promotion to get to a point where I have regular visitors to my shop. Remember that competition is fierce so you need to stand out!. Check out local independent shops and retail sites like Etsy or Folksy. Start a blog and write about your crafty endeavours with a link to the things you sell, seek out and join in craft forums and find like minded people. These could well be your customers! I would not even be where I am without the support of my fantastic UK based crafters who have supported me along the way, put custom work my way when I was short of cash and couldn’t afford supplies and generally been a shoulder to cry on when I thought it just wasn’t going to happen.Most importantly take regular tea breaks. You don’t want to burn out!”
Abi hopes to keep making clothes for people and expand her website in the new year, which is exciting – we will look out for it!
blog http://trainersinnightclubs.wordpress.com/
