Teach, Not Preach!

KALKA designs was created by Gillian McCormick and are based in Paisley, Scotland. It is a brand that was born during a time of great uncertainty when a global pandemic forced the world to slow down. Initially, it seemed our freedom had been taken from us, but it soon became apparent that we are now freer than ever! We have been given the chance to change our world and the way we live in it which encourages a clearer view of what matters. As a new brand, we welcome the opportunity for growth and new beginnings which is always a source of inspiration for new designs.

Based in Paisley, Scotland, we take great pride in finding inspiration from our local surroundings, although our designs are not exclusive to the people of our town. We focus on natural influences and where possible, we make our products from organic fabrics to support a sustainable future for our planet. It is important to us that our customers receive the highest quality of products and excellent service. We encourage people to get in touch to work with us to create original pieces that you truly love to wear.

Food

Incorporate ‘meatless Mondays’ into your weekly routine! Animal agriculture is one of the largest contributors to climate change. Meat production depletes valuable resources e.g. land and water and accounts for a quarter of the earth greenhouse gas emissions. 1 single pound of beef requires 1800 gallons of water. However, a plant-based burger generates 90% less GHGs, has 99% less water impact and 93% less impact on land use. So, going plant-based for 1 day per week (or 3 meals throughout the week if you prefer) can make a huge difference! Check out Rascals Kitchen for some phenomenally tasty inspiration if you need it!

Not ready to change to plant-based? Here are a few other ways to make a difference through what you eat; 

• Carefully prep your meals in advance to avoid food waste
• Buy organic products which keep your body and the environment free from toxic pesticides
• Reduce the farm to fork distance by shopping locally, saving fuel for transportation of your food

(statistics from earthday.org)

 

Fashion

350,000 tonnes of clothing is thrown away every year in the UK, but did you know that most fast fashion brands actually design their garments to last a maximum of 10 years, making you need to shop more often and therefore throw out more!? We can combat this by checking our labels! Here’s what to look out for

Organic fabrics such as cotton, linen and wool have a much higher wearing time than synthetics such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, and are biodegradable therefore kinder to the planet when they are eventually disposed of, making them better for the environment and your purse!

Ever bought a cheap top and stop wearing it because it makes you feel itchy or sweaty? This is because manmade fabrics are made from microfibres of plastic which do not allow your skin to breathe! You’ve never seen a sweaty or itchy woolly sheep though have you?!

The microfibres in synthetic clothing are causing massive problems in our water systems, these plastic fibres are washed out of our clothing and are small enough to pass through wastewater treatment plants and end up in the sea. Animals are then digesting them before we eat them so if you don’t want to be eating your plastic clothing then check your labels and buy organically when you can!

Consider where you shop! Sites such as Depop have seriously increased the demand for 2nd hand! They offer peer-to-peer shopping which ensures customers can always purchase on-trend and not be left behind in the fashion stakes! Garments can be bought in excellent condition and often items have never even been worn! So, if you feel like treating yourself to something you couldn’t normally afford or you receive an unwanted gift, consider Depoping it!