Akala: Behind the Brand

 

Akala

Behind the Brand

Where Did It All Start?:

Ashley started Akala in 2019.  The motivation to start her brand stemmed from the years she spent working in the clothing industry.  Ashely saw how the design process in most clothing industries was not sustainable and they lacked manufacturing transparency.  In addition to those factors, Ashley found that as a petite woman it was difficult to find clothes that both fit her body shape and were sustainable.  Because of experiencing these difficulties, Ashley decided that she was going to start a new clothing brand with a purpose.  The purpose would be to design meaningful, timeless, sustainable, ethical, and size-inclusive garments.

 

How Are Your Clothes Made?:

Each piece of clothing is made in Los Angeles, California.  As each piece is being created, the goal is to make every element as sustainable as possible.  Committed to waste-reduction, any excess materials are donated for repurposing and will be used to source new fibers in 2021.  This allows for circular fashion implementation.  Those who make Ashley's clothes are guaranteed, by the vendors she has signed with, to be paid above minimum wage and treated fairly.  The whole process is ethical and sustainable.

The Inspiration:

The collection was designed to create a wardrobe capsule.  Each element and color are able to be combined with each other for many different looks.  However, if if you're not into capsule wardrobes, each piece can easily fit into what you already own in your closet.  These will become your new favorite "go-to" pieces.

Sustainability:

All materials and processes are carefully considered to ensure they're sustainable.  In Akala's first collection, 98 percent of all fibers were sustainable with the exception of two trim finishings.  However, Akala is committed to eliminating virgin synthetic materials from their clothes by the end of 2021.  In addition to the garments, all packaging is fully recyclable or compostable.

In Conclusion:

If you are looking for size-inclusive, sustainable, USA-made clothing at an attainable price point, you have found the right brand.  Use the link below to check out their Instagram page and visit their website.

Akala: @akalaclothing

*Thank you for supporting inthelifeofgray by visiting this site.  Be sure to check out my Instagram @inthelifeofgray