Ethical and sustainable, NEEMIC is a project initiated in 2011 by Amihan Zemp and Hans Martin Galliker, two young designers from Switzerland. Founded in Hong Kong, it moved to Beijing recently to better exploit the potential of the growing Chinese market. As the founders say, Beijing has a very strategic position in China, and it makes it easier to pursue the brand’s goals. Namely, to create outstanding fashion out of eco-friendly fabric, making the industry more environmentally sustainable, and building bridges between Europe and Asia.
Creating comfortable outfits remains NEEMIC's priority, but with an eco-conscious perspective. The world has enough fabric already. The brand selects the finest natural materials from leftovers of the industry, recycles used clothes, and only orders new fabrics from certified organic producers. For those who don’t know, using organic fabrics refers to not only the use natural materials, but also no artificially produced products are used in the process; so no chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides or insecticides used during the growth process of raw materials, such as cotton.
This reality is not just about sustainable designs; on the contrary, NEEMIC is 100% eco-friendly. After an initial period of searching around China for organic fabrics produced within the country, they realized there was a high supply of these fabrics but they are all used for exports. So, to cover the demand, NEEMIC uses fabrics both Chinese natural fabrics, and fabrics imported from India and even Europe.
The project is ambitious, as it aims to bring together ecologically-minded people from various disciplines – from design to photography - in a collaborative creative process with international participants in a global exchange.
NEEMIC goes against the tide and brings us amazingly detailed and fashionable yet sustainable garments. The emphasis is put on sleek coats, denim and dresses with clean cuts in earthy tones – a perfect mix of unpretentious comfort and gentle colours that emphasizes the natural texture of organic fabrics. The garments are a mix of feminine and boyish cuts, with silky skirts, light layers and delicate knits contrasted with fleece sweaters in organic cotton, boyfriend coats and oversized jumpers. Attention to detail shines throughout, from leather elements to minimalist prints sprayed on a jacket for an urban flair. Wearing NEEMIC gives the amazing sensation of cocoon-like comfort, a silky soft shell that invites to an inner development.
Paving the way for an eco-friendly fashion world with high-quality materials and skilled craftsmen to elevate natural fabric to art.
March 14, 2014
Central Saint Martins
Beckmans College of Design
Academy of Design Australia
British Higher School of Art and Design
LOFT 42
Red Dot design award
