Behind the Seams: The Journey of a CLOTH’EL Garment
Every CLOTH’EL garment tells a story—a story of transformation, sustainability, and a deep commitment to redefining fashion. From the spark of an idea to the creation of timeless pieces, CLOTH’EL’S journey is one of passion, purpose, and collaboration. Let’s take a look behind the seams at how a CLOTH’EL garment comes to life.
The Spark: From Inspiration to Action
The story of CLOTH’EL begins with its founder, Szilvia Gecser. As a lawyer, Szilvia had a successful career, but a seminar led by a former colleague changed her perspective forever. The seminar, which focused on environmental responsibility and sustainable practices, struck a chord with Szilvia.
“It made me realize that everyone has a role to play in reducing waste and living sustainably,” Szilvia explains. “I felt an obligation to do something meaningful to contribute to a better future.”
Motivated to take action, Szilvia dove into learning about sustainability, taking courses and exploring ways to make a tangible impact. With a natural talent for design, her journey led her to the concept of transforming discarded hotel textiles into premium fashion, thus sparking the birth of CLOTH’EL. The brand was born from her desire to merge sustainability with impeccable style, creating garments that are as kind to the earth as they are beautiful.
The First Stitch: Building the Concept
The vision for CLOTH’EL was clear: to transform discarded hotel textiles into exclusive, unique garments that tell a story of renewal and sustainability. Hotels frequently update their interiors, resulting in large quantities of high-quality textiles being discarded. Szilvia saw an opportunity to turn this waste into something beautiful and valuable.
Determined to bring her vision to life, Szilvia reached out to hundreds of hotels, explaining the concept of upcycling their retired textiles into sustainable fashion. The journey was challenging, with many hotels hesitant to participate.
The turning point came when The Torridon, a family-owned, five-star boutique resort in Scotland, responded with interest. They believed in CLOTH’EL’S mission and became the first partner, providing the textiles that would become the foundation of CLOTH’EL’S debut collection.
Designing the Torridon Collection: Enter Aranka Adelina Vass
With The Torridon on board, Szilvia sought a designer who could bring her vision to life. Aranka Adelina Vass is a talented fashion designer known for her commitment to sustainability and innovative approach to upcycled fashion. Aranka and Szilvia met at a design fair earlier and their shared interest in sustainability sparked a friendship. Aranka took on the task of creating CLOTH’EL’S inaugural collection using the textiles provided by The Torridon.
“Our goal was to honor the history of the materials while crafting garments that are modern, stylish, and environmentally responsible,” Aranka explains. “Designing the Torridon collection was an opportunity to showcase the beauty of upcycled fashion in an exclusive way.”
Aranka’s expertise in design and sustainability was instrumental in transforming the discarded textiles into high-end, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect CLOTH’EL’S mission.
From Discarded Fabric to Fashion: The CLOTH’EL Process
The journey of a CLOTH’EL garment begins with sourcing textiles from partner hotels. Once the fabrics are collected, they go through a meticulous process of inspection, cleaning, and preparation. Aranka then works on creating pieces that blend timeless style with sustainable innovation.
“Our designs are inspired by the stories behind the fabrics,” says Szilvia. “Every piece is unique, and every collection has its own narrative.”
From reversible jackets to elegant dresses, every CLOTH’EL garment is a testament to the brand’s commitment to sustainability and style. The result is a collection that not only looks beautiful but also embodies the principles of upcycling and environmental responsibility.
A Legacy of Sustainability
CLOTH’EL is more than just a fashion brand—it’s a movement toward a more sustainable future. By turning discarded hotel textiles into wearable art, CLOTH’EL reduces waste and encourages consumers to think differently about fashion.
“We want our garments to inspire people to make more conscious choices,” says Szilvia. “Every piece we create is a step towards a more sustainable world.”
Conclusion: Wear the Change
Behind every CLOTH’EL garment is a journey of innovation, collaboration, and purpose. From Szilvia’s initial inspiration to the partnership with The Torridon and Aranka Adelina Vass’s creative designs, CLOTH’EL represents a new way of thinking about fashion.
When you wear CLOTH’EL, you wear more than just clothing—you wear a story of transformation and a commitment to a better future. Explore CLOTH’EL’s latest collection and join us in the journey to make fashion more sustainable.