Published by Celestyna Brozek under Accessories, Uncategorized

I am so glad I stumbled on this little company because their core philosophy reveals one of the key factors that differentiates green design from mass-produced, anonymous merchandise.

UNU flat-pack slippers

And actually (grrr…I am the world’s worst secret-keeper, I’ll try not to give it away completely) we have an interview coming up with one of my personal heros who owns a really lovely and genuinely green fashion business and one of the quotes she refers to again and again is one by American interior designer Sister Parish – a quote which perfect illustrates Unu’s point: “Even the simplest wicker basket can become priceless when it is loved and cared for through the generations of a family.”

It is precisely this idea of the singularity of an item that is brought about by a unique history, or as Unu puts it ” the narratives of its creation” that is so important to green design. Because if we create, own and love irreplaceable items, then we won’t be so cavalier about disposing of them! And if we choose only to “consume” items that are (to us) one-of-a-kind, mindless (over)consumption is dead in the water.

UNU wallet

Many of us have something that we consider invaluable due to “sentimental reasons.” As children we had treasure boxes full of rocks and owl pellets. Wouldn’t it be amazing if our closet was like a grown-up version of those boxes? If every time we opened the doors we were flooded with warmth and love for all the memories and stories these clothes represented?

Don’t get me wrong – it doesn’t have to be expensive to be treasure box worthy – in fact, we fall out of love with expensive things just as quickly as inexpensive things if the only “story” they come with are the references to current consumer culture and lifestyle trends. Because for these objects, there is always something newer waiting in the wings, made more desireable solely by its novelty.

No, objects we love are made timeless by virtue of our love for them and we will go to great lengths to keep them close to us. Case in point: Ugly Betty. Yes, I know. We seem to be digressing. Stay with me. Ugly Betty wears that B necklace all the time and it never goes with her clothes!!! But she wears it because someone special gave it to her regardless of the fashion cost.

UNU leather folder

Unu maintains that instead of consuming objects which hold meanings that are totally disconnected with the object and its physicality or process of creation (think basically all major labels-the object we buy represents a glamorous lifestyle, and communicates nothing about factory production, etc.), if we buy something wherein we take part in the creation, or if the object is made from some material that has the special characteristic of “memory” then we actually form a relationship with the object itself and we never throw it away.

With these thoughts in mind Unu has created flat-pack self-assemble leather slippers and leather gear. The idea is that leather wears well, molds with time, and in general, grows better with age. As for the flat-pack, it saves on shipping and labor costs, and also allows the owner to take satisfaction in creating something themselves, immediately creating a resonance with that object. The shoes are made from a single sheet of leather and assemble without glue or stitching!

UNU leather slipper assembly - cool!

And this is actually a perfect time to remind you of Vintage Fridays! I wish I could say my closet was like a big treasure box, but there’s a lot of anonymous strangers in there. However, the treasure box clothes I do possess are pretty much all vintage finds. And this Friday, we’re doing a vintage giveaway on our Facebook page. So fan us! See you then! XO!