The Piccalilly Way

 

by Deborah Miarkowska

Over the last few years we have had the privilege to meet with inspiring designers and businesses who each share a similar passion and drive to make a difference to others in their work. The work of Piccalilly is no exception with their gorgeous ranges of fairtrade and organic kids clothing and  accessories. The Piccalilly way comes  straight from the heart of it’s founder Hannah Evans.

In 2006 the Piccalilly adventure began. Shortly after the birth of my second daughter I was made redundant. Worrying times turned to positive opportunities and I embraced being released from working 9-5 to set up Piccalilly.

A kids range with design and desirability.

The market for organic clothes was in its infancy and the lack of colour, design and desirability in the organic baby wear market seemed to be a gap that needed filling. My background working for a BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) recognised Import Company reinforced this idea. I’d long been frustrated by the over reliance on the ‘worthiness’ of ethical products and wanted to produce a new generation of ethically produced products that were eco friendly, modern in design, upmarket and appealing to a new generation of socially responsible parents and grandparents who don’t want to compromise on style. Please view our the range from Piccalilly HERE.

Benefits for farmers, factory workers and babies skin.

By chance a contact was passed my way of an innovative project that was taking place in Kolkata. Not wanting to miss out I jumped on a plane to meet Rajat who was pioneering an organic cotton project in India. I learnt that by teaming Fairtrade certified organic cotton with low impact environmentally friendly dyes we could create a new generation of ethical clothes that not only had major benefits for the farmers and factory workers but the end product was much kinder on newborn baby skin. This sounded like a great idea and Piccalilly was born!

The Piccalilly story has been moving fast ever since. We’ve long outgrown the back room at home and moved into a lovely unit in the market town of Settle, overlooking the Settle-Carlisle railway line and the rolling Yorkshire Dales hills.

Our ranges have also grown to include clothes for kids and the Piccalilly team seems to be getting bigger by the day! But the truth is I’m not after a fast life, or fast fashion for that matter. I can still be found digging over my vegetable plot in the Yorkshire Dales at week-ends and hanging out with family and friends.

I’ve also learnt loads of stuff over the last four years by taking time out of day to day business to go and meet the cotton farmers and the suppliers we buy from. By engaging with the people who make our products and by taking a little consideration over how we do things has an impact on other people’s lives - that’s quite a big responsibility and something I take very seriously.

All in all it’s been a great journey so far and I can’t wait to tell you the next chapter.

View our Ethically Cool and eco fabulous Piccalilly range HERE.

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