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- Made by hand by Thawil in Aotearoa
- Deadstock Wool / Silk Blend
Worn with auor’s Valentina sunglasses in taupe
Thank you for supporting Companion as they offer protection through the re-use of discarded or found fabric. Enough already exists. Please purchase thoughtfully with the intention of long term possession.
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Companion
Companion’s simple series of hats emerge from a thoughtful design practice, encouraging acts of care for the self, the environment & the other.
Companion celebrates diversity in an international context of ongoing politicised debate regarding refugee quotas & the economic impact of migrants.
Meaningful employment is a crucial component for integration & contribution. Likewise, creating is a catalyst for connection – a required antidote in the face of increasingly divisive propaganda. So, skills carried on migration dictate this collaborative practice.
Contemporary design outcomes are explored via collisions of traditions; resulting cohesive forms bringing attention to the beauty in heterogeneous societies. Much made is 100% unique – with marks of artisan’s hands & minds.
Slow Design principles are adhered to, considering environmental & social sustainability.
Marriage was this business' beginning. A friend in common provided an introduction, a chance to share mutual experiences around engagement with refugees. We had both used masters research projects to explore social enterprise models too (him in Development Studies, her Art & Design). So somewhat inevitably a social business working with refugees emerged from our relationship – Companion.
Although constantly open to new collaborative possibilities locally & internationally, we make the majority of our pieces alongside a small number of migrants here in Aotearoa who we have now known for years, & have become dear friends including:
Pary who is from Afghanistan originally & now lives in Tāmaki Makaurau with her daughter's young family. Her contributions of beaded & embroidered elements offer surprise due to language barriers and the resulting “losses” & “gains” in translation. Pary often refers to the peace she finds in working with her hands, “When I sew I forget my problems in Afghanistan”.
First meeting Thawil when teaching a migrant sewing group, she has since transitioned from student to running these classes herself, & alongside teaching, she works as our machinist. From Thailand, Thawil married a Syrian & lives here with their daughter.
We also periodically collaborate with an Afghan Sewing Group & one of the members' sons, Aliakbar, a high school student who plans to become a doctor. In the interim, he contributes to Companion in various capacities.
