Journal

Drinking chai before starting the day and a couple of times throughout the day is very much integrated into Bangladeshi’s culture.

The bright colours with strong outlines are very much present on the streets of Bangladesh decorating rickshaws, trucks, buses and other public transportation. Some register on making rickshaw paintings in a workshop space downtown Old Dhaka.

When the subject is football, the Bangladeshis cheer either to Brazil or Argentina. I have not imagined until experienced being there during 2014’s World Cup. Streets throughout the country had Brazilian flags everywhere. I felt even more blessed and welcomed to intense and beautiful Bangladesh. Some of the decoration permanently stay on walls. Bangladesh I love your smile and love your style!

text_ Simone Simonato, photos_ Johann Angermann

A second life to textile waste

In the photo above a truck delivers raw materials to the local facility which SICA partners with: jute and textile jersey clippings. The clippings are generated from RMG (readymade garment) factories in Dhaka – BD.

SICA supports the artisans of Bangladesh and their rich crafts as valuable up-cycling solution for fashion to minimise it’s own carbon footprint.

Bangladesh, from 4,500 garment factories in 2011 to today home of 7,000. As industry continues to grow, recycling initiatives become even more crucial to a circular economy.
Around 8% of overall garment production in the RMG industry turns out to be waste. Some of the largest factories in Bangladesh can produce around 1.5 tons of waste daily.

outskirts of Dhaka, textile waste ending up in landfill

jersey waste from RMG industry is key resource to SICA

fellow maker preparing jersey clippings to be woven

storage of clippings at SICA’s manufacturer partner

text and photos_ Simone Simonato

SICA upcycling home design

Juni 1, 2017 by Simone Simonato

NEW CARPETS

Proudly made in Bangladesh presents: SICA home design

The new line follows our ambition of finding beautiful solutions to up-cycle textile waste.

It counts with a range of cozy carpets and home accessories. Similar to our bag collection, the home up-cycled is made on traditional handlooms from northern Bangladesh.

All SICA home designs are processed on Satranji looms, a slow and careful process of tapestry. The result are thicker and stronger pieces, very close to art pieces not only by how they are made but also to the uniqueness of the designs. Our fellow makers decide how to combine and build each pattern. A process of trust and freedom which we build to one another.

We believe that this new fair trade partnership gives to the local artisans the opportunity to explore and develop traditional crafts and to pursue contemporary designs.

text_Simone Simonato, photos_ Viva Körner

Bangladesh in pictures

Mai 1, 2017 by Simone Simonato

Bangladesh in pictures

Throughout many hours spent in traffic in Bangladesh, it is almost impossible not to notice the vibrant and strong shapes and colours decorating the local transport vehicles. Intuitively and outstanding combinations influence directly my creation, such as to colour combination and patterns of the proudly made in Bangladesh bag collection. This collection is to be not only a celebration of the crafts and the knowhow passed though generations, but also embracing the local aesthetics.

travel records

text & images_Simone Simonato

rickshaw painting

Mai 1, 2017
The rickshaw paintings, which the bengalis deliver between pedals and smoke are appreciated not only by the local population but also by the foreigners living or passing by Bangladesh.