Holy Guacamole, what a roly-poly 2020!

Sami-K is 10 months into its journey now, and what an unpredictable Bay of Biscay it has been. As we continue to build this new venture amongst new isolation hibernation, I thought I would take time to reflect and invite you all into my world a little more.

How Covid-19 has affected my small business

I want to give you guys an update on things as this year is still going to be very exciting and positive. These uncertain times have already highlighted not only the strength and importance of family and community but how sacred this spinning ball that we call home really is. This terrifying, global pandemic gives us an opportunity to reflect, learn and adapt together.

Sami-K certainly hopes to be there as a small, creative sustainable start-up to support big, positive changes to life after these ‘unusual’ times. For now, I think it’s important that you get to know me a bit…

The Beginning of Sami-K

This venture has come as a mix of surprise and hunger. I am a Cornish designer and sea lover, currently living in London. Having spent the last 6 years working in the industry within both Adults and Childrenswear, I was fortunate to experience some fabulous creative opportunities but something was still not quite right.

Though enjoying an incredible career, I was missing that extra boost where I knew I was actually making a difference - not just making nice stuff. As a very ethically conscious individual it just didn’t sit right and having tried to raise more positive and conscious approaches within the industry in various ways , it hit me like a brick wall - life is too short, so stop whining and get on with it!!

After this revelation, anything felt possible. With no more mental barriers, the seed for Sami-K was planted…

This journey has taken me out of many personal and financial comfort zones but my new-found new freedom is just euphoric! Control over my own time has eliminated many daunting feelings and feeds my hunger to really go for something I believe in, whilst I continue to learn so much.

The Sami-K Products

The ideas behind the products themselves have been evolving in the background for a while now. I have always loved a playful wardrobe that can keep us with my busy ways, where mixing and matching may often means ‘borrowing’ a partners, brothers or even fathers clothes! Unisex clothing excites me! They help me to see clothes as products and not the disposable ever-changing offspring of a corrupt and often destructive industry. As an avid traveller, maker and daydreamer, many design decisions have also evolved from experiences.

Many of my more recent ventures have been in my converted campervan Agnes, who I am sure will put herself to good use when we are able to visit our suppliers here in the UK again!

Sporting the oversized look on the beach!

The Plan

“Do it properly or not at all.” My very lovely, wise, but blunt grandad bellowed that to me on several occasions as a child. Every single decision we make for Sami-K is given creative and sustainable consideration. I source and produce here in the UK not only to reduce our footprint, but also to connect and support local communities.

My pattern cutting values aim to reduce waste and we do not produce unnecessarily. Our premium unisex products are adaptable and represent conscious joy and a love for life.

I aim to inspire the prolonged lifespan of our products and try to actively respond to sustainable development goals by donating 3% of our monthly sales towards the preservation of our sacred woodland here in the UK.

Now

Gauging the next chapter is going to be interesting for us all. Without a fixed calendar and realistic time frames, being adaptable, positive and healthy is the focus right now. I continue to develop the product from my studio (spare room with a rug over the bed to make it feel more ‘zen’ and ‘studio-like’) and plan with our suppliers as much as possible. I am also using this time to learn and tackle aspects of the business that come a little less naturally.

The Future

There are many exciting plans for Sami-K and I hope you will join us on our journey. I am dedicated and focused on really ensuring the products are perfect.

I hope to give you a little taster in time for the festive season and will open up pre-orders for other products soon for our official launch. We will then aim to get your special, sustainable products to you in early February 2021 – as part of a new exciting year, our new normal and in plenty of time for you all to dance around in your Sami-K’s during the half term break too!

Keep up-to date with our progress on our Facebook and Instagram, so you don’t miss out on any updates along the way.

Our future focuses on ways we can evolve our product range for you in line with an ambition to make a conscious difference and create smiles as we make the most of the sacred time we have on Earth….

We hope to support and expand upon our supply and manufacturing chain here in the UK by growing with them. Enabling us to continue to learn and share our findings with you too.

Sami-K challenges our relationship with clothes and highlights what is truly important. That is why the relationships with our supply chain are key. Our relationship with you is important to us too. Your feedback is forever welcome and your views are valuable. I want to get to know you!

Please, feel free to contact me at any time with your views and feedback on the following email. - sami@sami-k.co.uk

Our designs are to be lived in and loved and we hope you see that too! This is a big year for a small Sami-K but we ultimately just want to involve you, have lots of fun, and create conscious, loving products to enjoy!

Please reach out, say hey and keep your peepers peeled for news and updates.

Lots of Love