Written by AMULYA MISRA for THE DESIGN COLLECTIVE
In this digital age, where we all have access to high speed internet and Google at our fingertips, we constantly come across new and emerging brands with gorgeous collections. However, while their “About Us” pages and social media posts can help them tell their story, there is still a lot of tenacity, drive and passion needed to run a successful business in the industry today.
There are a lot of ups and downs when starting a business. Building a fashion brand can seem very daunting and it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. And we, as consumers, often forget to take a moment to understand and appreciate the efforts of amazing founders who are creating their own mark in the fashion industry.
If you’re planning to take the plunge and start your own venture–what better way to learn than from watching, reading and learning from those who did so already?
We, at The Design Collective, decided to have a quick chat with the founders of two very different brands–Three by TPV and Ethnos, to gain an insight into their experiences and hear their story, in their own words.
Three by TPV
Started by Thomas, Patrick and Vadim, the unique name of the brand is a combination of this Swedish-Latvian trio’s name. Combining the aesthetics of South Asia, with their Scandinavian creativity and Western standards have led them to win hearts in Sri Lanka. From stylish interior products to exquisite jewellery to designer clothes, you can find just about everything at their store. All products are carefully designed and handpicked by the talented trio.
Read on to hear from the designers themselves.
1. When did you launch The Three by TPV? What was the inspiration behind it?
We arrived in Sri Lanka back in 2011 with our minds set up to be hoteliers! But as our background is deeply rooted in fashion and design, the future took a whole new direction. Our first store opened up in 2014.
2. You have a very unique aesthetic. Tell us about your design principles.
A sentence we created and wrote when we opened our hotel was:
“The Three by TPV is what happens when South Asian design, Scandinavian thinking and Western standards come together in perfect harmony.”
To this day, we feel it still connects to our design sensibilities when working on our collections as well. The work we do is as environmentally friendly as possible. We have a great team behind us, constantly supporting us, when it comes to navigating the fashion space in Sri Lanka.
3. Last year the pandemic caused stores to shut down and affected the industry quite a bit. How did you overcome it?
It’s a very difficult time we are living in! TDC’s online store has helped a lot, especially during the lockdown. We have been fortunate to work with influencers that support and are happy to spread awareness about our brand.
We have also rethought our manufacturing to ensure we have minimum wastage. While looking over our prices, we now ensure that each of the designs is produced in less quantity so as to avoid the problem of overproduction.
4. What were some of the learning you took away from 2020?
One of the biggest learning we took away from 2020 was: to not to take anything for granted.
5. What are your plans for expansion?
We have already launched a shoe collection for women and men which feels great. Shoes were the industry where we worked, just before we moved to Sri Lanka. The collection will expand with more designs and will match our clothes collections.
Shop the range from The Three by TPV
Ethno
A designer at heart, Minal Wickrematunge, the founder and designer of eco-friendly brand Ethno, is a woman that wears many hats. With a degree in interior design, a passion for art, an interest in fashion and a keen eye for details, this young woman is slowly but surely making her impact on the industry in Sri Lanka.
She is a firm believer in producing apparel that doesn’t harm the planet and hence holds sustainability near when designing for Ethno. Read on to find out more about how this creative force is able to multitask and successfully launch her own sustainable brand.
1.Tell us a little about yourself and your brand.
I am an artist and designer based in Colombo. Ethno was created over the years whilst studying design. It’s a collection of some illustrations and fun prints I love, used on products I would use regularly over the years.
2. What does sustainable fashion mean to you?
I am a firm believer that sustainable apparel is the way forward. I’m not sure about fashion trends and changes with every season and I don’t follow them. To be honest, I wouldn’t necessarily call Ethno a fashion brand.
3. How do you apply these principles of sustainability into Ethno?
I follow three main principles of sustainability. I think small, source local and try to make products that will last for many years.
4. What are some of the problems you see in the fashion industry today?
I see so many problems.What is this lifestyle they’re selling? I don’t relate to the slender girls in the magazines. Also, do we really need a pair of pants in every imaginable colour under the sun? I think less is more.
5. What has been the biggest hurdle in starting a sustainable brand?
Sourcing was definitely the biggest hurdle. Ensuring quality isn’t compromised and making sure people stick to the values which they market themselves as.
6. What do you love most about your brand?
It’s a quirky collection of everything that I adore, what’s not to love?
7. What, according to you, does it take to build a brand?
Imagination, perseverance and lots of love!
Shop the range from Ethno