our mission
At Samia Usmani, we value providing value to the customer, not only in the product that’s delivered, but the experience surrounding it. We value slow fashion, transparency in materials, and ethical production from start to finish. Although we’re always learning, we’re excited to bring you along the journey. Learn more about our mission below:
Why should we care?
It’s no secret that the fashion industry is one of the highest polluting industries in the world. It contributes to chemical run-off, unlivable wages for its workers, pollution, unsafe working conditions— the list goes on. All just to fulfill the limitless demands of fast fashion cycles, contribute to mass consumption and produce high margins.
Greenwashing is a term used in the fashion industry to describe companies relaying misleading information to customers. Oftentimes disguised as “sustainability”, they aim to give the perception of being ‘good’. Greenwashing is a common practice in the fashion industry. That’s why we’re doing things differently here.
what are we doing?
We proudly celebrate South Asian fashion, but oftentimes in our industry, intention behind production is neglected in the face of quick consumption and high margins.
With the next generation of designers and consumers, it is our responsibility to change that narrative.
Although we don't proclaim being a ‘sustainable’ brand since that word has many implications and nuances, we can proudly say that we are a slow fashion brand here at Samia Usmani. We believe slow fashion is valuable, and is the future.
Here’s what that means for us:
We carefully source each fabric we use— choosing materials with low environmental impact while maintaining quality.
Our garments are proudly made by hand, in-house.
We only charge you for materials + labor + shipping. Nothing more, nothing less. We aim to keep our garments affordable and are continuously learning how to improve.
We aim for zero waste of materials, including fabrics, hardware, and pattern paper. Fabric scraps are saved or donated. Learn more here.
As of 2021, each garment is entirely free of polyester, except for necessary hardware components, which we use minimally.
In the ever-evolving world of slow and conscious fashion, our brand is committed to growing right alongside it. While we’re not perfect, we lead with progress over perfection as our guiding principle.
made by hand &
to order
Each piece is currently handmade with much love and care, making every creation truly one of a kind. The handmade process might mean slight variations, which are just a part of what makes your piece so special. Since every piece is made to order, some fabrics from past collections may no longer be available or be swapped out for a more ethical alternative.
We order all materials and make our garments to order to minimize any waste and only consume what is necessary, so please allow 4-5 weeks for production and delivery. If you have a rush request, please reach out and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
pricing
We do our best to keep prices as affordable as possible at Samia Usmani. We produce garments with the highest quality materials on the market, carefully selected based on their environmental impact, fiber composition, feel and longevity.
As of now, everything is produced by the designer by hand and to order.
That being said, we charge you for the materials, labor and shipping with a 20% markup to invest into the growth and innovation of the brand. As always, if you have any questions regarding pricing, please reach out.