The Story Behind Laloom

The Story Behind Laloom, Laloom Kaftans

 

Laloom, the home of beautifully made 100% pure silk kaftans and gorgeous resort wear.


Laloom was an idea.  An idea by Kim Meyer.  Kim is the original owner of Laloom, and here is her story of how and why Laloom Kaftans was created…..


When Kim started this business the idea was to produce affordable kaftans and resort wear whilst using beautiful fabrics and making the garments well.  Kim wanted customers to know and feel their purchase represented good value in terms of price and quality and this desire kept her true to her goal.


Kim had been involved in the fashion industry dating back to the heydays of the eighties.  Since then, together with family, Kim had pursued their mutual passion for travelling all over the world.  These travels had taken her far and wide to many countries.  A great deal of this travel was to countries that opened her eyes to amazing artisans located in remote locations.

 

Inspired

Kim came across untapped skills in all manner of handicrafts and not only in a fashion sense but in a whole way of life.  This is how Kim came to pursue the idea of bringing simple styles to life using unique fabrics, utilising the skills of these special people and providing them with a way to create as a way of living.



Laloom's Story, Laloom Kaftans

 

Fashion With A Conscience

With so much choice from large organisations to small family groups, choosing a factory was difficult.  Foremost in Kim’s mind was to seek an ethical factory, where workers were fairly paid and treated well.  Kim realised that the larger the operation the less she would know about who the staff were, or how well they were treated.  So Kim searched and found a small family operation, who received their remuneration directly, and this flowed on through to the communities around them.

 

Quality

Of equal importance to finding an ethical factory to work with, was a factory that was intent on and capable of producing the high-quality garment that Laloom required.


Our machinists are fantastic.  We source the highest quality fabrics so we need the highest quality makers.  Our high standards are maintained by our close working relationship with the factory.  We visit and inspect often and our presence is appreciated.

 

Cultural Experience

So far, Kim had worked in India.  Kim had been invited into people’s homes, attended weddings and had been exposed to the rich and colourful history and the culture that is India.  Kim sourced fabrics from local suppliers, and also personally searched markets for embellishments, accessories, and ideas (not an easy feat in markets that can sprawl as far as the eye can see).  It’s an exciting process and a cultural one too.  Once Kim had fabrics, accessories, ideas and samples, she worked together with the makers to refine styles, approve production samples, and schedule production.

All of this was interspersed with local events.  March each year is the Holi festival, where most of India closes down for a few days to join in the festivities.  The colours, the culture, it’s all interwoven into what Laloom is today.



The History Of Laloom, Laloom Kaftans

 
Silk Kaftans

There are stunning silks to be found in India, just look around the local markets and marvel at the elegant women in their colourful silk sari’s going about their business.  What an Inspiration!  Kim has sourced many different silks in India but generally chose fabrics printed in China or Korea, where the printing technology is currently far superior.  Slowly the Indians are becoming more involved in their own digital printing setups which is a really exciting prospect.

 

Cottons

The cotton fabrics are amazing out of India.  The locally grown cotton is of a fine quality, and Kim has been to many enormous screen printing plants where the cotton is all hand-screened and made.  It’s an amazing experience to witness, visiting those areas in India is almost like driving through a huge laundry albeit, a much more colourful one.

 

The Here & Now

Kim has gone on to pursue other interests.  Alison is now at the helm and is proudly continuing with the values and ethics that Laloom is renowned for.  We help ladies find the perfect high-quality kaftan, to feel beautiful, comfortable, & elegant, all from the comfort of their own home.


 

SEE THE LATEST LALOOM KAFTAN RANGE >



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