We are about to launch our first organic collection – our first collection made from fabrics sourced entirely from organic farming.

The transition to organic fabrics is a huge milestone for us in our still young, but eventful company history. We couldn’t be prouder!

Fair Production at the Heart of our Fashion Label

When we founded SAIS in January 2023, we knew we wanted to stand out from the crowd through sustainable and fair production. Good working conditions and high quality fabrics were our top priorities.

At that time, both of us (Sana and Silja, the founders of SAIS) lived in Gaziantep, in southeastern Turkey, and worked in humanitarian organizations for Syrian refugees. We had seen firsthand how important a stable income and fair working conditions are – and, unfortunately, how often these are lacking in textile factories.

After many sobering and even shocking factory visits, we finally found a small studio that met our needs. We’ve been producing our collections there ever since.

Up-Cycling in Fashion: Our Story with Fabric Scraps

Recycling production waste was another topic close to our hearts from the very beginning.

The aunties in the community advised us right from the start to collect fabric scraps because you could “make so much” with them. We collected – initially without a plan for what we would do with them. The scraps sat in storage for almost a year until we sorted them.

Then we found seamstresses who work from home with professional machines. Our first order: simple scrunchies, shortly before a trade fair in Gaziantep.

We expected a small delivery – instead, on the evening before the fair, the seamstress came to us smiling and with a bag full of 100 scrunchies. We were thrilled!

Today, our seamstresses make not only scrunchies, but also bags, keychains, and hair accessories. We use the remaining fabric scraps in our up-cycling workshops, where participants transform them into new treasures. This gives fabric scraps a second life, the seamstresses earn additional income, and you have fun.

Why We Use Organic Fabrics in our Sustainable Modest Fashion

From the very beginning, we wanted to work with organic fabrics. But the reality of southeastern Turkey quickly caught up with us. Some retailers tried to sell polyester-cotton blends as “pure cotton.” And when we asked about “organik” (Turkish for organic), we were often told: “Cotton grows organically – so it’s always ‘organik’.”

Already busy enough looking for a fair producer, we put the organic idea on hold for the time being.

How We Found Certified Organic Fabrics

At the beginning of this year, we started a new attempt. We found several online retailers of certified organic fabrics, ordered samples, and created our first designs. Unfortunately, one fabric didn’t fit our model, and the logistics for another were too complicated.

Then we started a final search locally in Gaziantep – and found what we were looking for! We checked the certificates, felt the fabrics – and yes, our fabric heart leaped for joy. Finally, we could begin!

Challenges of Printing Natural Fabrics

We wanted to print a pattern on one of the abayas. Sounds simple – but it wasn’t.

To our surprise (or horror?), many printing companies had little experience with natural fabrics. The results were often disappointing. Embroidery briefly seemed like an alternative option, but we would have had to purchase special organic embroidery thread for that.

Shortly before we gave up on the pattern idea altogether, we found a printing company specializing in cotton through our fabric dealer. They use a resource-saving pigment printing process – and we were finally satisfied.

Seven Months for a Sustainable Collection

From the first step to the finished fabric design, it took seven months. By comparison: Fast-fashion companies would have released dozens of collections in that time, each announced as a “must-have” – only to sell them off on sale a few weeks later.

This collection’s journey was slower. But we are confident in the quality, design, and supply chain. Next time, we’ll be faster because we now know our partners personally.

No Greenwashing – Only Genuine Organic Fashion

We are proud to be one of the few modest fashion labels in Germany (and Europe) to offer certified organic fabrics.

With us, there’s no greenwashing, no fake labels, and no chemicals – just:

• Organically certified fabrics
• Transparent supply chains
• Honest communication
• And of course: stylish oversized cuts and matching mommy-and-me outfits

Perhaps you’ll soon be wearing one of the first pieces from our organic collection – made from fabrics we’ve selected with patience, love, and a lot of passion. 

Stay tuned, the release is coming in a few days! Sign up here to be the first one notified!