U.K.-based and environmentally-focused brand STORY mfg. has previewed its Spring/Summer 2022 collection, titled “Sandwich Friends.” Next year’s line offers a full range of items, including shirts, jackets, vests, dresses and accessories, all exploring unique natural dyes, newly developed hand knitting and crocheting techniques, artistic embroideries, and the strength of organic linen.

Three pieces from the “Sandwich Friends” collection are currently available for pre-order, and at a 33% discount of the final recommended retail price. Among them is the Cloudwalk Handwoven Spiral Forager Jacket. It’s a roomy, cropped outerwear piece that’s inspired by old fishing jackets, and features custom organic cotton handwoven jacquard that is naturally dyed with flowers and barks. 

To complement the jacket is the Cloudwalk Handwoven Spiral Forager Tote. The tote is an easy, casual sling bag that utilizes the same material and dye techniques as the jacket, while offering STORY mfg.’s forager pocket system that’s perfect for storing rocks, snacks, water bottles, and any items you find while on the go. Lastly, the Cloudwalk Handwoven Spiral Greetings Shirt draws inspiration from big bowling shirts. It too was created using similar custom organic handwoven and naturally dyed methods. 

The East End label continues its ongoing, Earth-friendly approach to clothing that aims to not “involve a trade-off between aesthetics and consciousness.” Since its founding in 2013, the husband-and-wife team has prioritized: natural and organic materials; plant dyes from bark, jackfruit, butterfly pea, and more; and local craftspeople, like dyers, weavers, embroiderers, and tailors. 

“We want to make things and choices that help change the fashion industry for the better and show that being considerate and kind (to people and the planet) is not only important but an enormous strength,” the brand states in its manifesto. 

Another key aspect to ever STORY mfg. collection is time: an element you need more of when you’re not cutting corners or compromising the end-product over craft, process, and natural sourcing. 

“We make stuff from scratch. We cook at home, using our own recipes so to speak,” says STORY mfg. co-founder and designer, Saeed Al-Rubeyi, when explaining the SS22 collection. “We go slow because if we want something (a fabric, a trim, packaging) we generally have to make it ourselves. It takes a long time, often we have to make a tool, to make a tool, to make a tool, to make the thing we want.” 

The result is an eco-centric line that may be “bendy” and “wobbly” but also provides rich textures and unique, handmade personality to every piece. 

See the STORY mfg. SS22 “Sandwich Friends” collection preview and learn more about pre-ordering options at storymfg.com.

In other fashion-related news, Patagonia inked a multiyear deal with materials company Infinited Fiber.