Sustainability has become a hot topic discussed in recent years. More and more brands have emerged to introduce us to the sustainable movement. The rising of up cycling and repurposing brands has been surging more than ever, which this is one of the effort to become sustainable by reducing fashion waste. This time, I have an opportunity to interview the founders of up cycling Indonesia brand, MUTU, which are Jesslyn and Selapia.
How was your personal sustainability journey started?
As fashion students, we have been exposed to the topic of sustainable since the very beginning of our college days. We know that being sustainable is no longer a trend but it is a must for brands to adapt in these current days. Back then, we planned to turn second hand garments into a completely new design or it can be said like giving it a makeover. The plan was to transform old goods to be seen as new and desirable. We want to create a space where we are free to do and to make anything from fabrics. We want the freedom to explore the fabric culture and experimenting making new things out of the remnant and dead stock fabrics.
What makes you guys decide on building MUTU? What problems that your brand strives to tackle?
As a fresh graduate back then, we were thinking of starting a brand or business that requires minimal cost but also still on the trend or related to the current issue which is recycling or you can say sustainable fashion. We strive to tackle the idea that not all old things are ugly and considered as junk. We wanted to be able to be creative in creating a product from old garment; remnant and dead stock fabrics and making it back into something useful again.
What kind of project that you are currently working on?
We analyze the needs of today's society before determining what products we will make. During this pandemic, having our mask and hand sanitizer is a must. But we know the struggle of it, like how we need to put our mask somewhere whenever we need to eat. Therefore in our latest project, we created ETUI MASK, which is a Covid19 kit pouch. This pouch is made using dead stock fabrics that were leftover from previous productions or from local dead stock suppliers.
How do you lead your team during time of crisis?
We both efficiently divide the task according to each of our strength. Due to only Jesslyn and me in the team doing all the tasks, we are very thankful that we didn't face any problem during the pandemic from lack of manpower. The most important thing for us is to make sure that we communicate well to prevent unwanted miscommunication. During this pandemic, we learn to adapt and survive but also still uphold our beliefs and idealism as a brand.
Thankfully during this circuit breaker, MUTU has gained brand exposure and also good sales. This was probably because most people are working from home therefore they have more time to shop and get to know new brand like MUTU. And we’re very happy and thankful for the warm welcome that MUTU has been receiving.
Do you guys accept fabric or textile wastes for your projects? How people reach you for orders, inquires and collaborations?
Currently in our storage we still various remnant fabrics from our collage collection back in the days and also the dead stock fabrics from the closed production house that closes due to the pandemic. But in the future, our plan is to reach out local fashion brands and create products collaborating with them using their remnant fabrics. For order, inquires, and collaborations, please contact us through our email: info.mutuid@gmail.com
Based on the interview conducted, I realized that people are starting to implement sustainability without them knowing it. Up cycling project, thrift shops has become a trend that is become a good step to reduce waste of fashion. In fact, dead stock fabric can be used to make a useful product like what MUTU brand does. The most important thing is how a founder sees opportunity in the market and manages the strategy accordingly. Hope for the best for the MUTU brand and hopefully it can inspire other fashion entrepreneurs out there.
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