Worn By Laura Miles of Woven London.

Tell us about How and Why you founded Woven?

I was introduced to Womenweave by a friend and completely fell in love with the work they do. It's such a joyful place to be and they really support the most vulnerable women in Indian society. I wanted to bring their hand woven fabrics to a bigger audience and create a more ethical and sustainable clothing brand with a contemporary feel. They then put me in touch with a sewing cooperative close by that works in similar way to support women in rural areas of India. We now also work with Karghewale which is an organization supporting the new generation of handloom weavers that enables them to build sustainable business models that keeps these precious handloom skills alive.

For the past few years, alongside running your business, you’ve also been studying Basketry. How do you expect to incorporate that into Woven or your freelance work for other brands?

I haven’t quite worked that out yet! For me basketry was a natural extension of weaving but in a 3d form and my Fridays at City Lit are one of the highlights of my week. I really enjoy experimenting with colour and unusual materials within basketry and would like to take this to some of the bigger fashion and accessory brands I have worked with in the past to develop into sustainable accessories. I would also love to include accessories into my own brand at some point as well, I was thinking to start with handwoven beach bags.

You’ve just launched a collaboration with Alexandra Tolstoy. Tell us about the designs, the spirit of collaboration and how this may form part of the future of Woven.

I was invited to take part in one of the sales at her house last year which was great for me. She has a very loyal fanbase that appreciate handmade fashion and artisan textiles. The collaboration felt so natural as she also a big blouse wearer and wore my blouses on her riding tours in Kyrgyzstan. I suggested that she designed her own colourways of our classic Nina blouse and Lara skirt and its been a great success. I think these collaborations are the way forward for me as I’m a very small self funded brand and I don’t have a budget for marketing or advertising but I love to partner with like minded women who appreciate that my pieces are hand made and celebrate artisan textile skills

You often open up your studio and shop space for Pop-Ups with other designers. What drew you to M.Hulot?

We met at Primrose Hill Fair and instantly clicked.  Its really important to me how my clothing and accessories are made and I really love your design aesthetic and the practicality of your bags, they really function well and the leather ages beautifully. It was a natural fit to have you at one of my pop ups and my customers loved M.Hulot bags.

Which is your favourite M.Hulot piece and why?

All of my M.Hulot bags serve a purpose but my current favourite is the Loe bumbag, its so useful and fits just enough stuff, glasses, phone, poo-bags and wallet without being too heavy and works really well when I’m on my bike.

Which travel destination has your heart? 

It has to be India for me and in particular Maheshwar on the banks of the River Narmada, where most of my fabrics are made, its like stepping back in time and also has my favourite hotel Ahiliya Fort.

 What do you imagine you would be doing if you weren’t a weaver?

I feel a ceramics course coming on at some point….

Laura wears :

M.Hulot

Hilda Tote Bag in Black

Hill Tote in Black

Peter Bag in Cinnamon Nubuck

Alex Crossbody in Cognac

Little Sid in Tan

Past season Marg Tote and Hulot Pouch

Woven

Lina Blouse in Agnes Black

Ingrid Blouse in Oxford Blue

Lara Skirt in Indigo Selvedge