Needle knitting, crochet, and loom weaving – no it’s not the local CWA knitting circle. Working with one of the last knitting mills left in Australia, Lorena Laing is well and truly keeping local manufacturing alive with her label Amano by Lorena Laing.
Proudly, in its 12th consecutive season, Amano is proof of a highly sustainable and ethical business with zero waste. Embracing the ‘slow fashion’ movement, Lorena maintains sustainable practices and challenges consumers to question the traceability of their clothing as well as the origins of the materials themselves.
Amano’s Melbourne atelier offers a unique window into how a bespoke garment is transformed by a single thread. Lorena is an advocate for locally made and is often found in the Rathdowne St boutique educating clients on the importance of investing in local brands who provide a transparency into current manufacturing processes.
“The Alpaca fibre I work with is local and ethically sourced from Peru. The skilled artisans who weave and knit my designs are locals, and it is important to me to focus on keeping my collections local and one hundred per cent natural.
“Amano takes great pride in hand-crafting its pieces with locally sourced materials, have zero waste and are crafted and packaged locally. We are aware of our carbon footprint, of our struggling manufacturing industry and our aging artisanal skills. We feel a responsibility to preserve these and ensure they exist for future generations,” says Lorena.
Each special Amano piece bears a label with its story; how it was carefully crafted to highlight its bespoke characteristics – no two pieces are the same. It’s a personal note from the creator to its new owner, drawing them in to engage deeply in the narrative of the garments sustainable, ethical journey.
Visit the flagship store / Atelier located at:
631 Rathdowne St Carlton North Victoria 3054
Open Monday- Friday 11-5
Sat 10-5
E: info@lorenalaing.com
Phone: +61421581556
