Conrado was founded by designer Angela Sison after a lifetime of being around and involved in fashion. She has shared that some of her earliest memories were sorting buttons and trimming thread in her families garment factory in the Philippines. So it seems no surprise that she found herself creating a sustainable brand that was inspired to go from the city to the beach.
With strong ethics for sustainability and zero waste, Conrado pieces are each ethically made in from deadstock fabric.
What is deadstock fabric?
Deadstock fabric is a pre consumer waste of surplus fabric, that is left over from garment factories or fabric mills. However it doesn't stop there, companies will also throw away any fabric with a flaw (think imperfections on the material or pattern).
Luckily with many smaller brands choosing to use deadstock fabric for their garment production, brands like Conrado are helping to close the loop on pre consumer waste and further the zero waste movement.
Conrado is ethically made in the Philippines...
Having grown up in the Philippines in and around the garment industry, Angela choose to be socially conscious and keep the production of Conrado near her roots at her mother's garment factory. By choosing to produce her limited edition pieces here, Angela knows her workers have fair wages, working conditions and the factory does not employee underage labour. Transparency with a brands production doesn't get batter then this.
“I would also like to be able to support and give back more to the community in the Philippines by helping with education and better health resources.”
I choose to pair red Yves Saint Laurent wedges that I bought from online designer consignment shop The Real Real with the Conrado Jumpsuit. Not only did I get these wedges for a steal, however by choosing to buy them second hand from The Real Real and not purchasing brand new wedges, I made a sustainable shoe choice that helps to close the loop and encourage zero waste. Bonus is that The Real Real also buys designer shoes, purses, and clothing that is in good condition (no need to keep those uncomfortable shoes, becuase you feel guilty for spending so much money on them).
Noelle Lynne
photographed by Michael Oliver