Motherhood is serious business—especially for these mum entrepreneurs who are creating a better future for their children through sustainable design and community
The phenomenon of mum entrepreneurs—that is, women who run businesses while raising children—is one that has become more common in recent years. Some women have mastered that balancing act by aligning their dual roles to a single purpose: providing their children with the best that life has to offer.
That very mission birthed Mouses & Birds, a Singapore fashion label founded by Amanda Mok. The mother of two was inspired to create baby and childrenswear for her young sons and their friends using fabrics that offer comfort and durability.
Each of the brand’s collections is thoughtfully crafted in small batches so as to leave as minimal an impact on the environment as possible. What makes Mouses & Birds’ designs so unique is that every print is a meeting of art and the imagination, and hand-illustrated by the founder and designer herself.
Read more: Mother’s Day 2023: 10 stylish gift ideas for mums with expensive taste
Fellow Singapore entrepreneur Clara Simanjuntak also had her children in mind when she founded her sustainable, slow fashion label Nyananyana Eco. Aiming to create clothes that will ultimately benefit the planet and future generations, the brand’s designs are distinguished by their use of batik, ikat (hand-woven fabrics) that are coloured using natural (and non-toxic) dyes—striking fabrics made at the hands of seasoned batik artisans.
Simanjuntak’s brand pays special attention to its supply chain: it works with stay-at-home mothers and female artisans from rural villages in places such as Java, giving them opportunities to make a living through their skills. Nyananyana Eco also repurposes waste materials such as leftover leather and wood, as well as end-of-roll fabrics, all sourced from factories in Indonesia.
Read more: Meet Claude, the emerging Indonesian fashion brand with a conscience
