Sustainability is a core part of Limo Wardrobe. Can you walk us through your approach to sustainable production, from sourcing materials to the final product?
With Limo I take a holistic approach to sustainability. The designs are timeless, modern-elegant and versatile. In production I only use leftovers from the textile industry.
How do you balance design creativity with maintaining high-quality standards? What challenges do you face in ensuring both elements are always present?
The upcycling approach plays a big role in my creative process. For example, I turn unsold men’s shirts into new items of clothing. The button placket is always retained and is used as a stylistic device in different places. For example, it goes in the back or in the sleeve. Upcycling doesn’t necessarily make production any easier. I have to make sure that the new pattern pieces fit the fabric pieces. This often means that I have to adjust the pattern pieces for larger sizes.
Limo Wardrobe focuses on empowering individuals through fashion. How do you design pieces that allow people to express their unique identity?
Clothing is so much more than protection from cold/heat. It allows you to present yourself with confidence and express your individuality. The limo designs are simple at first glance, but surprise at second glance with special details. The colours are usually reserved and can be wonderfully integrated into your existing wardrobe. This means every woman can live her individual style and highlight her personality. But it is also important to me that neither the design nor the colours put the woman in the background. My aim is always to let the woman shine. True to the motto: When you walk into a room, you don’t want everyone to be amazed at how great your dress is. You want to be perceived as a great woman.
Does Limo Wardrobe incorporate upcycled materials or circular fashion principles? If so, can you share more about your approach to integrating these elements into your collections?
At limo I only use deadstock and leftovers from the textile industry. The deadstock material is now available via various online platforms, which makes sourcing much easier than it was a few years ago. I purchase the unsold/discarded men’s shirts directly from my partner companies. My designs are often created based on the available material. So actually in the reverse order than is normally the case. I look at what material is available and then think about what I can do with it.
You’ve mentioned looking forward to engaging with your network. How important is building a community for you, and how do you see that contributing to the growth of your brand?
A functioning and supportive network is essential. For example, I’m currently working with a style and image consultant on a joint workshop concept to better support my customers in expressing their personality through clothing. I have also recently started working with NinYes – a Finnish re-sale platform. Limo products can now be sold there again or bought as second hand goods. In 2025 I’m planning a collaboration with Repair Rebels to promote repairing limo clothing and make it as easy as possible.
What are your hopes for the future of sustainable fashion, and how does Limo Wardrobe plan to contribute to that vision?
I am convinced that we have to completely rethink and redesign the fashion industry. Of course, as a designer, I want to sell my products. But extending the life cycle of clothing plays a crucial role. This starts with conscious purchasing – this is the only way we can build a relationship with our clothes again. This is the prerequisite for the clothing to be repaired if necessary. And if the quality is right, you can also sell the part in a second-hand market.
How do you engage with customers to educate them on sustainability and inspire them to make conscious fashion choices?
I’m trying to start at different points here. It is important to me to explain to customers how important the materials and workmanship are. For limo, for example, I only use natural materials because it is much more comfortable to wear. I try to avoid the bad sides of the fashion industry as much as possible – although unfortunately it is still necessary to show facts and figures about it. But I am convinced that a positive approach to the topic of sustainability is needed. As long as we believe that sustainability has to do with sacrifice, we will not want to change our lives. But if we understand that we gain enormously from this, it will work itself out.
What motivated you to start Limo Wardrobe? How has your personal journey shaped the brand’s ethos and direction?
For me, clothing has been an important means of emphasising my personality since I was a child. I remember that, even as a 14-year-old, I placed a lot of value on individuality. Sustainability only played a role later – it became more and more important since I became a mother. Since there was little classic and modern-elegant clothing that was sustainably produced that suited my taste, I decided to fill this gap in the market.
Sustainable fashion has its challenges, whether in production or consumer perception. What have been some of the biggest hurdles for Limo Wardrobe, and how have you overcome them?
I always have the impression that many people are aware of the problems in the fashion industry, but it rarely leads to them changing their own behavior. As already mentioned before, I suspect that this is due to the fact that we do not want to do without. After the Corona years and in the poor economic situation, (sustainable) fashion is not the most urgent need. Unfortunately, this often leads to people buying the cheap things again. This makes it very difficult for small, sustainable labels. I think one of the most important aspects here is perseverance. My hope is still that we as a society will find the right path.
You mentioned that clothing can empower people. Could you share an experience or moment when fashion made a significant impact on you or someone else?
I remember one summer when I was around 14 years old and spent a week with my grandmother. Back then, my clothing style was very diverse – sometimes I wore very girly dresses, sometimes oversized pants with a lumberjack shirt. When I had the pants and shirt on, my grandmother said in shock: “You walk like a man!” That’s when I realised for the first time that our clothes affect our appearance and our attitude. I would like to convey this to my customers. It’s not for nothing that it is said: “Clothes make the woman.”
Website: limo-wardrobe.de/
Founder: Dr. Katharina Funke-Braun
Contact: [email protected]
Location: Germany
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