Xoomba – Ethical Fashion from West Africa

Every brand has a reason it was created or a special story behind it. Xoomba creates beautiful home and textiles in West Africa. Ethically produced from Organic cotton. We managed to catch up with the creator of Xoomba , Heather, to find out a little about what inspired her to start Xoomba and what makes Xoomba fabric so special. The more we find out about this ethical clothing brand, the more we love it!

How and when did Xoomba start?

In 2009 I made a research trip through West African, organic cotton producing countries, to see where best to base the business. I finally chose to work in Burkina Faso which translates “land of honest people”. We loved the people we met there and we saw potential with existing weaving cooperatives. In 2010 we made the first prototypes. 2011 we incorporated and started making orders of the textiles.

Why is ethical production important to you?

I don’t want to harm others

the minute I get dressed in the morning but the majority of clothing choices we have do just that, exposing people to harmful chemicals, demanding people to work for too little in unsafe conditions.
I just don’t see how we can all survive happily together on this planet without changing the way we each make a living to fit constraints of resources we have here. As a designer, this is my way of playing by the rules of our ecosphere. I find working in apparel particularly beautiful because it is a complex process that involves such a thoughtful human touch. From the planting of the cotton grain and picking it as it explodes into fluff to the straining eyes that follow our garments carefully through machines, so many people have touched our clothing before it ends up on our backs. If this journey of a garment through the lives of all the people involved could be a positive one, imagine the wide range of positive impact that is possible.

How closely do you work with the makers?

I work side by side the artisans I have trained to dye and to sew and I work closely with the weavers. I know and spend time with every individual in the production chain and so when challenges come up for them, I understand the situation.

What makes the fabrics Xoomba uses special?

In a way, I hope what we make will not be so special. We are demonstrating that functional and environmentally responsible materials can be made for clothing production in West Africa. What makes it special now is that we are currently the only company using the locally grown organic cotton in all of West Africa though, through our efforts, this is changing and others will soon be following so hopefully this will not be so special soon!

It is also special because we are pioneering the production of clothing in Africa by working with higher thread counts and very wide looms to produce a light weight and versatile fabric which is highly functional for shirting and dress making. Traditionally, the fabric is quite heavy and made in narrow strips so it is rare to find fabric like ours.

The color combinations in Xoomba textiles gives this artisan made fabric a contemporary feel which I think is also quite unique. The clothing design is distinct, as I work a lot with the bias of the fabric to explore pure line with minimal interruption – not too many buttons or baubles or other distractions.

What inspires you in your designs?

I find it difficult to pinpoint inspiration. I try to make clothes that create a sense of movement and that make the wearer want to move freely, dance even. I work in three dimensions, no drawings, letting the characteristics of the material guide me. I love when a design turns out differently than I could have imagined.

How do you think the design of the fabric and clothing are influenced about where they are produced?

Aside from the vibrancy of color, there are not obvious cultural connections between my design work and Burkina Faso where I work. Curiously however, they do work very well in that environment. They are comfortable to wear in the Burkinabé climate, light, with a breathable weave and clients that live in Burkina love wearing them there but then they’re just as loved in Brooklyn!

Xoomba have a wonderful story and unique designs, perfect for the summer we are hoping is arriving around the corner. To visit Xoomba’s online store go here – https://www.xoomba.com