Designer Sarah AlHamdan, Founder and Creative Director of Mood Of Thought on the future of sustainable style
Sarah AlHamdan, Creative Director of Mood Of Thought, in conversation with CNC’s BA (Hons) year 2 student Antonia Centioni on her debut launch of interchangeable designs, the cruciality of traceability and navigating through ethical fashion.
Circular fashion is fast becoming the sustainable solution to design out waste, and Mood Of Thought’s uncompromising environmental approach is at the core of the brand’s identity. MOT is enhancing fashion through traceability, innovation and inclusivity.
Based and manufactured in England, MOT is redesigning the future of fashion by successfully developing a circular business model. Traceability features heavily throughout the MOT process. “The collection was created using hyper-realistic 3D drawings. The adjustments to the styles were made on 3D renders, eliminating the need for physical prototypes”. Usually, the pattern is created, followed by the style. “This greatly reduced our carbon footprint, saving energy, water and material waste in both patterns and fabrics usage,” states Sarah.
It is the lead up to MOT’s ‘Inaugural Summer/Autumn 2022’ collection debut. Yes, you read that correctly… summer/autumn collection. The two main fashion seasons are traditionally spring/summer (S/S) and autumn/winter (A/W). This is just one example of how Sarah is turning things on their head in the pursuit of a seasonless approach, designing our way to a better tomorrow.
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Sarah is in London, with an hour gap before she jets off to Rome, a low emissions flight mind you and I have managed to catch her for a brief and optimistic Zoom call.
“The collection consists of nine versatile, timeless and functional styles that are made to last and inclusive of diverse body shapes, with three colourways per style and designed prints to suit both minimalist and maximalist tastes” – MOOD OF THOUGHT.
Designed to be interchangeable and provide a unique twist on classical tailoring, the collection can merge with any wardrobe, timeless in the sense it will complement your existing pieces. For example, purchasing a unique garment will enhance a new look.
Ranging from a monochromatic colour palette to a flurry of vibrant hues, this inaugural collection is full of playful and experimental energy, much like Sarah’s personality. “I want to fill in the gap that I see,” she says, “Half of the MOT styles are made using surplus materials from Maison LVMH. The other half are made using certified sustainable and natural fibres”.
The collection includes the silk and EcoVero ‘Dora’ top and ‘Radio’ pants, both with tonal prints made from water-based dyes. The thread is formed from recycled polyester; post-consumer bottles, whilst the tailoring offers versatile styling options featuring functional waist, wrist and ankle ties leaving room for freestyling.
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Mood Of Thought is a platform for collaboration, providing a range of after-purchase services, including a sustainable alternative in partnership with BLANC, the leading UK specialist in the sustainable aftercare of garments. This aims to encourage customers and raise awareness in hopes for individuals to make responsible choices such as ‘wet cleaning’, which refers to a professional cleaning technology that contrasts traditional dry cleaning. This method is safer for both the fabric and the environment.
Every MOT garment has a care label featuring a QR code. Providing authenticity and traceability should the customer decide to recycle. On tailoring after purchase, MOT’s partnership with clothing alterations and repair app Sojo offers tailoring and alterations services to its customers, supporting style, fit, guarantee and longevity. MOT also partners with Thrift+, a circular solutions company assisting in reselling second-hand clothes to give them a new beginning whilst raising important funds for charities.
MOT draws inspiration from Art-deco architecture and 70’s interiors. The logo and sunflower motif echoes the philosophy of the brand. Sunflowers have come to symbolize longevity, positive energy, and circularity. This completely captures the concept of Mood Of Thought; Nostalgic Modernity. “I hope this creative conversation creates a change”, and on that note… off she goes. MOT launches this month, with the inaugural collection’s first drop.