#WearYourValues with Morena

Morena is proud to announce their first pre-order, now live. The Morena Logo Scarf encapsulates the energy behind the brand. Morena, meaning “brunette” or “brown skin,” is built from a desire to honour garment workers in the fashion industry, 80% of which are women of colour.

Made only from what existed already - plastics that were previously used as packaging materials, the Morena Logo Scarf is sustainably made from 100% rPET (recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate) and manufactured locally and fairly in the UK.

We interviewed Rosanna to find out a little bit more about the brand and her vision for Morena:

Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind Morena and what sets it apart from other brands?

Morena, meaning brown hair / brown skin is inspired by my South African-Indian grandma who grew up during the apartheid. She wasn’t allowed to try on any clothes that touched her skin, and thus became a seamstress. I want to honour Women of Colour like her who are the pillars of the fashion industry and have been widely exploited around the globe through unfair supply chains and practices.

Morena clothing is formed from what has previously existed. We use recycled materials to create timeless, eye-catching and versatile pieces. We encourage customers to #WearYourValues and stand together for an ethical future.

In three words describe your products.

Versatile, Vibey, Unique

What challenges did you face when starting Morena, and how did you overcome them?

I am a total newbie to the world of ‘proper’ fashion - I’ve made clothes and accessories for years and sold them online, but formalising the whole process and partnering with the right people has been a journey.

I made a pretty big mistake early on with the pattern making - I tried to mitigate costs by doing as much as possible digitally, however it’s been more expensive in the long run as the digital shapes didn’t fully translate to the toiles.

How do you ensure that your supply chain is ethical?

Currently, we are manufacturing everything in the UK so that we can visit our suppliers. We also do our due diligence to request certifications and accreditations from our suppliers to ensure we are doing everything we can our side when choosing who to partner with.

Can you share some of the ways that Morena gives back to the community or contributes to important environmental causes?

We provide educational content on ethical and sustainable practices within the fashion industry via our Instagram and blog, and highlight other female-led brands working to transform the industry.

We do our utmost to use recycled and recyclable materials, and reduce our footprint as much as possible through nearshore suppliers. Morena is made-to-order so that we aren’t producing unnecessary quantities that could potentially go to waste.

We also have BIG plans for the future that are currently in the works which I’m really excited about.

How do you think the fashion industry is changing in terms of sustainability, and where do you see Morena fitting into that landscape?

In recent years we have seen an incredible amount of greenwashing from major brands, however consumers are becoming much more educated on these lack-lustre marketing ploys, demanding true transparency and holding these giants accountable. My hope is the desire for fast fashion will reduce, with more of a focus on ‘investment’ in items that are made to last. Morena is a staple for wardrobes, our items are canvas for expression and personal individuality.

What led you to join ethy?

I am delighted that there is a UK marketplace that exists for consumers, like myself, who want to support small businesses, uplift people and respect the planet. The app is so easy to navigate and provides alternative options for every high street item.

Where do you see Morena three years from now?

My hope is that Morena will become synonymous with ethicality and empowerment. Watch this space!