Sydney brand One Another has unveiled its first collection of cushions, scarves and artworks during its debut at Life Instyle Melbourne.
Product designs feature a combination of abstract photography and hand embroidery by women from Lucknow in northern India who work in safe conditions and receive fair pay, helping to lift them out of poverty.
Rick and Annette Carter were inspired to launch the label to help make a difference to the lives of the people they encountered while in India with Opportunity International five years ago.
He says One Another’s distinctive designs were a hit with retailers looking for products with a story.
“It was a chilly four days in Melbourne but we had such a warm response to One Another’s launch collection,” he adds. “Everyone commented on the beauty of the hand embroidery saying they are like artworks. Buyers also embraced the unique story behind our products, as their customers increasingly ask where and how products have been made.”
Within the first collection are three series – Botanical, Oceanic and Dance of India. Botanical designs feature leafy x-ray prints with acid green and dirty pink embroidery, Oceanic has inky swirls and reflections highlighted by embroidered currents and waves while Dance Of India infuses the colour and movement of swirling sarees with embroidered Indian street maps.
The Acid Rush cushion from the Botanical range was One Another’s most popular product at the trade show. “It combines an intense golden yellow print of coastal rushes with angular embroidered leaves in acid yellow. They loved the pop of colour and most teamed it with the inky black Storm Current cushion.”
One Another is now looking towards its next collection and planning to design a wider range of cushions in different sizes and textures. It is also doing some custom designs to match the colour palette of particular stores.
“We are always looking for more stores that share our values and are interested in stocking our range of ethical products – knowing they are designed to enhance your life and importantly the lives of the women who make them.”
