Sometimes it takes a particular event to spur us on, kick us into gear and open our eyes, showing us our true potential and how we can help. That such event for Eve Walton-Healey happened April 24, 2013.
A Bangladesh sweatshop collapsed killing thousands of underpaid and poorly cared for workers, and Eve knew she never ever wanted to hear of a similar incident again. And she knew exactly how she could start to move the fashion world into the right direction.
It was evident to Eve that the fast fashion industries were using people solely to make clothes without consideration of their human rights. Not only does it harm the people making these garments through unliveable pay and horrendous working conditions, but as it stands, fast fashion is often worn for a short period of time, then becomes landfill; it adds to the copious amount of waste produced every year from such industries.
Eve wanted to make her own industry, though small, that has the power to change one person at a time on how they view fashion all together. She came up with the name Ricepaper. When we think of rice paper, we think of how thin and transparent it is; Eve wanted to show the transparent and clear message of her garments, with no secrets, no wool over people’s eyes, and especially no mistreated workers.
Driven and determined, she went to study Fashion, Design and Technology at RMIT University. Three years ago she graduated, and after working hands-on with other fashion designers and creators, a year in the making has lead to her own clothing line finally being available to the public.
All her clothing is designed by those in and around Melbourne, most were her own creations including her iconic Kaniwa print, consisting of pastel pink, peach and white that adorns many of the garments. Her colour palette for her items also includes a subdued navy blue, reds and pastel pinks.
Her designs are then sent over to Indonesia where a group of women are paid fairly, never made to work over time and given no rushed time constraints to produce the garments and turn them from ideas to the stunning creations you can purchase today.
Everything comes at a price, and due to the fair pay for those who have a hand in making the items, the cost is described as mid to high range, however such a price is understandable when the quality of the item is made to last.
“Simple, easy to wear, everyday. You can chuck it on and go to work and go out afterwards. I want my garments to become a staple part in a woman’s wardrobe,” says Eve.
As her three objectives stand Simplicity, Elegance and Ethics, that is truly what her stunning creations portray.
Please help support the works and efforts of local designers, creators and those given fair opportunities in Indonesia by visiting www.ricepaperthelabel.com and purchase your very own staple garment.
