Our materials
Leftover materials
Since SISSEL EDELBO was founded in 2004, responsible fashion has been our cornerstone. We are always actively seeking new responsible materials and processes that further our vision of minimizing CO2 emissions. Our collections bear witness to this effort by integrating recycled materials as an essential part of our design aesthetic.
Through our work with leftover materials – also called 'deadstock' from our suppliers, we transform excess materials into limited-edition styles. This approach is not only a symbol of our deep respect for the Earth's resources but also a manifestation of our commitment to reducing waste and overconsumption.
Over time, we have expanded our palette to include various qualities of leftover materials. Each remnant is carefully selected and transformed into styles with depth and meaning, reflecting the love embedded in every design we create.
Silk saries
Silk saris have a rich history and were originally used in various ceremonies across India. The specific weaving technique makes the fabric soft and breathable.
The traditional silk sari has been worn by Indian women for decades, and we aim to breathe new life into these exclusive textiles with our aesthetics.
Vintage saris
Vintage saris were the original source of inspiration for SISSEL EDELBO two decades ago, and they continue to be a core element in our collections today.
A sari is the traditional Indian garment for women, which Indian women wrap around their bodies for both daily wear and celebration. At SISSEL EDELBO, we honor the sari through our continual work with reinterpreted designs in recycled saris. The sari is considered to be one of the world’s oldest traditional garments.
We love the challenges of working with recycled materials and always look forward to handpicking saris for our new collections. Although we have been working with saris since 2004, it is always equally exciting to sort through the piles of saris sourced from all over India. Beautiful prints and colors help define a SISSEL EDELBO style, and we have a very special style characterized by the saris that intuitively speak to our aesthetic.
Recycled saris vary widely in composition. Since Indian saris do not come with a care label detailing the material composition, we cannot guarantee the composition of each sari. The saris can range from a mix of cotton, polyester, viscose, to a mix with silk. This means that we are unable to specify the material-specific information in our style descriptions. Each sari style is one-of-a-kind in both print and color combination. This diversity of materials makes each sari truly special, unique, with its own special print and color combination.
Kantha
As part of our work with Indian recycled textiles, vintage kantha holds a significant place in our collections. Kantha means 'patched cloth' and refers to the tradition of creating something new from used, existing blankets.
Kantha is a traditional embroidery technique popular among Indian women. The centuries-old tradition breathes new life into old cotton saris as quilted blankets, pillows, and garments —fully aligned with SISSEL EDELBO’s love for vintage materials. The recycled saris are layered and stitched together by hand, matching the beautiful saris in layers and patterns before the kantha embroidery begins. Characteristic of kantha is the uniform, visible stitches, meticulously sewn in straight lines or decorative patterns. Each kantha is one-of-a-kind with its own print and color combination.
Organic cotton
We work with organic cotton of the highest quality, infusing our styles with a distinct natural softness and breathability. Cotton stands as one of the most prevalent fibers in textile production, and our deliberate choice of organic cotton over conventional options reflects our commitment to supporting responsible cotton cultivation and reducing our environmental impact. Opting for organic cotton allows us to avoid the use of harmful chemicals and synthetic fertilizers, benefiting both the environment and the well-being of those involved in cotton production.
Blanket wear
Our Blanket Wear products reflect our love for slow fashion and classic craftsmanship. In a harmony between past and present, we transform hand-embroidered blankets into modern styles. Behind our Blanket Wear styles lies a rich tradition of Indian craftsmanship.
We utilize both newly produced and vintage blankets, featuring traditional techniques such as suzani embroidery and patchwork, executed by our skilled artisans in India. Techniques like suzani, embroidery, cutwork and patchwork impart each design with its own unique character.
Suzani embroidery is a delicate craft where patterns are woven into the fabric, creating beautiful and distinctive designs, while patchwork involves combining old leftover materials in new and inspiring ways by sewing them into patterns by hand.
Our Blanket Wear styles are continuously refined and renewed, and each season we add new interpretations of blanket styles, each with its own unique story.
