Laaniraani

Laaniraani produces one-of-a-kind pieces handmade using reclaimed T-shirt yarn and donated vintage fabric. Shamyra Moodley heads a small team making unique pieces at her home studio, using secondhand fabrics and offcuts to create clothing, packaging, jewellery and homeware. Laaniraani has won multiple awards, including the AFI Young Designer of the Year and Twyg's Nicholas Coutts Artisanal Fashion Award.

Twyg Award Winner

Features

Resources and materials

Uses a combination of upcycled, vintage and locally sourced deadstock fabric
Uses deadstock closures as well as closures from pre-existing garments

Making and manufacturing

Where possible, workers are permitted to work from home to reduce emissions as well as transport and childcare costs
Collaborators live within a 2.5 km radius of the studio
Fabric is hand-washed with eco-friendly washing products and dried outdoors
Labels are made from off-cuts and large off-cuts are used to make garment storage bags

Social and cultural

The production line is a group of self-employed mothers of colour
Mentors students of colour from local design schools
Teach local women the art of weaving, beading and embroidery through their up-skilling programme

Product and design

Produces some zero-waste designs
Garments are trans-seasonal and a relaxed fit to suit fluctuating seasons and bodies
Some pieces are reversible to maximise wear
Carries gender-fluid styles
Produces on a made-to-order basis