Ethical fashion brand Oon has expanded into homewares with the release of its Oon Home range.
The collection features felt rugs, bowls, vases, cushions and baskets in bright colours such as pink and yellow, and founder Sumnima Moktan says introducing homewares was an obvious step.
“It wasn’t a conscious decision,” she says. “I have always been passionate about interiors and homewares so if I were going to get into a creative line, homewares would be in it.”
Moktan began Oon—meaning wool in Nepali—last year but the brand has been a lifetime in the making. Born and bred in Kathmandu, Nepal, she has always been creative.
“At home I was constantly crafting, my mum had this sewing machine and I’d make curtains, cushion covers—anything I could think of,” she says. “I hand painted patterns onto furniture, denim and fabrics and did my own embellishing on clothes.”
After coming to Australia to pursue a Masters in public health, Moktan felt inspired to combine her creativity with a desire to affect real change by starting a business that would contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of a community.
The products are designed in Sydney and made in Kathmandu Valley by local artisans, mainly women, and Moktan is committed to offering fair prices so the workers can live comfortably and afford to educate their children.
Manufacturing in Nepal has its challenges including the political instability that affects everyday life. “As we speak there is a fuel shortage, which is affecting everything, including our current production,” says Moktan. “Also recently there was a fatal earthquake and things are yet to be back to normal.”
However, her background in social research and work with NGOs meant it was clear that any label from Moktan would be an ethical one. “For me, there isn’t another way than that,” she says.
“I feel what we wear and what we surround ourselves with in our living space have profound impact on us and as consumers we are now becoming more aware of the impact of our actions on communities and on the environment.
“At a community level, I figured that running a certain project for a limited time and being donation based does not improve the socioeconomic status sustainably.
“Being the type who can’t wait and watch rather than make things happen, I decided that I would utilise my creative skills and serve a purpose at the same time.”
After the successful release of the Oon Home range, Moktan is now focused on growing her stockists, introducing new product categories and launching a custom made service.
By Ruth Cooper
