The Myths That Lead To Sustainable Truth - [ nalu tenun collection]

When I began my research for TEPILANE®, I had a clear goal of the kind of artisans I wanted to collaborate with.

However; as I researched - I often found discrepancies in what was marketed as sustainable production. 

A great example is the myth of "ethnic pillows" made from Moroccan cactus silk (referred to as Sabra). These are actually produced with synthetic rayon and to this day are misleadingly sold online and in big box stores. Sabra was one of the first textiles I researched because I had seen the pillows during a visit to Marrakech. It was disheartening to find out the truth.

However; as the saying goes - everything falls into place when it is meant to.

I reached out to Melie at KaIND®, Indonesia, on a recommendation for her focus on sustainable fashion.

We started talking as Covid loomed over our individual islands and TEPILANE® x KaIND® came to life. This original collaboration  - nalu tenun - includes:

- 100% Organic, breathable cotton pillow cases in 14x20 and 20x20 size

- Dyed with vegan natural materials (such as mango bark and avocado pits) in a custom soft-wash finish

- Metal zippers to give substance to the pillow (sorry invisible zippers, I love you but not for this)

- Raw weave made in East Java with the manual looming technique [ATBM "Alat Tenun Bukan Mesin" ] that heralds from Indonesia's heritage

[ Manual looming technique ]

 [ Natural mango bark dye process]

The colors of nalu tenun match the tumbling beach life of Hawaii. Used on our lanai beds, floor mats and sitting chairs; these are the pillows we will always seem to be sharing.

More to come.. 

Aloha, TL