LOST SHAPES is me, Anna Brindle.
With a degree in 3D design crafts, and an enthusiasm for screen printing since school, in 2012 I set up a small business designing and screen printing ethical clothing. It comes from a love of making, so every print is still pulled by me, and it's fuelled by a never-ending stream of ideas (at least some of them marketable!).
if you run a business selling clothes you are faced with a simple choice: cheaper prices at the expense of the earth and its people; or paying more to ensure you are being fair and sustainable. When I set up Lost SHapes the answer seemed obvious.
But the more I discover the dark truth about the world of fashion and the garment industry the more I realise that not everyone thinks like this.
I hope one day 'ethical fashion' won't need to exist because exploitation will no longer be the norm.
I only use fabrics that are more sustainable and grown without harmful pesticides: organic cotton; recycled fibre made from plastic bottles and organic cotton waste; tencel lyocell - a cellulose fibre made from sustainably cultivated eucalyptus.
The ink I use does not contain CFC's, HCFC's, aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile solvents, lead, heavy metals or any toxic chemicals whatsoever, and is suitable for vegans. I don't use photo emulsions for screens, avoiding the need for solvents in the cleaning process.
All Lost Shapes tops are sourced from manufacturers that are held to account by the independent Fair Wear Foundation:
EMPLOYMENT IS FREELY CHOSEN - THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT - NO EXPLOITATION OF CHILD LABOUR - FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND THE RIGHT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING - PAYMENT OF A LIVING WAGE - REASONABLE HOURS OF WORK - SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKING CONDITIONS - LEGALLY BINDING EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP.
In addition Earthpositive branded items boast 90% reduced CO2 in their manufacture, and FairShare branded items include an extra premium that goes directly to the workers.