Sustainable textile company Kalopsia Collective has celebrated its 10th anniversary with an expansion of its premises, new contract wins and the creation of three jobs.
The business, which specialises in the design and manufacturing of bespoke clothing, accessories and homeware, also recently welcomed Princess Anne, president of the UK Fashion & Textile Association, to open the new site in Dunfermline.
It was founded by couple Nina Falk, a former fashion designer and ballet dancer from Sweden, and graphic designer Adam Robertson. They took on first employees in 2016 and due to continuous growth, now employ seven staff - with three new roles set to be created over the next six months.
To help grow its ethical textile manufacturing infrastructure, support local employment and the circular economy - while reducing textile waste - the couple are currently looking for £100,000 investment through their Kalopsia Collective Bonds.
The funding should also allow them to continue to run a student placement programme, working alongside the fashion technology department at Heriot-Watt University, to help graduates find work.
The community bonds start at £50 each, are managed by Scottish Communities Finance, and equate to a 2.5% financial interest, along with other discounts.
Robertson said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate our 10th anniversary with the opening of our new premises in Fife, officially by Princess Anne, which was such a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our industry and our new space.
The new studio - which also includes a shop - is a significant upgrade, moving from 1,000 sq ft in Leith to an 8,000 sq ft warehouse in Dunfermline.
“Being eight times bigger than our studio in Leith, it means we can create even more sustainable local employment opportunities to help us deliver contracts for clients like Xbox and Harris Tweed and allow us to continue to grow the UK’s textile manufacturing infrastructure, whilst driving forward our mission to reducing textile waste and ensuring that the circular economy is embedded in everything we do,“ Robertson explained.
Kalopsia's clients include the V&A Dundee, Royal Academy of Arts, Harris Tweed, Halley Stevenson, Kitt McCall - and latterly hats, bags and accessories for Xbox, working alongside Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers.
Falk and Robertson are set to speak at networking event Love Your Business at the Black Ivy Hotel in Edinburgh on 27 April.
Michelle Brown, founder of Love Your Business, which was established five years ago to help businesses build their network, get support and share contacts and referrals, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Nina and Adam from Kalopsia Collective will be the guest speakers at Love Your Business networking club this month.
“I’ve followed their journey over the last decade, their growth, impressive contract wins and awards, and ongoing mission to make environmental changes in the industry and provide jobs and placements for students to keep the design and manufacturing of textiles in Scotland.
“At the event, they’ll be sharing their inspiring entrepreneurial story over the last decade, including all the highs and lows, biggest achievements and also their exciting plans for the future.”
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