Function & aesthetics: kaala in an interview about yoga bags
An interview ith the kaala founders Carolin van Eupen and Regina Winther
Carolin van Eupen & Regina Winther
kaala FOUNDERS
With their label kaala, the two designers have fulfilled their desire to create sustainable and responsible products that bring more yoga into the everyday lives of their users. What the name kaala means, how important sustainability is for the two founders and what yoga has to do with it - they tell us all about it in an in-depth interview.
Dear Carolin, dear Regina, you have already worked together for different projects before founding kaala. How did the idea to create a label together develop, and what is the idea behind kaala?
Carolin: The idea for kaala was born out of our own need, so to speak: We were missing a bag that would be good to carry a yoga mat with, but that we also like to carry around in everyday life without a mat, and that meets our aesthetic standards.
Regina: We are both freelance designers and have been working in the fashion and textile industry for many years. One of our main motivations for founding the company was to be able to implement our ideas of good and sustainable design in a self-determined way and independently of clients - to use the influence we have in product development.
And how did the name kaala come into being, what is the meaning of it?
Carolin: When finding the name for our label and for our products, we were inspired by Finnish first names, which are often derived from nature. "Aalto" means "wave," for example, and "Tuula" comes from "wind." kaala (kala) means "fish" in Finnish. We like that there is also a yoga pose called that. Regina's mom is Finnish, so the idea of using Finnish names as a source of inspiration came up.
Yoga is a very integral part of your lives. What brought you to yoga, and what excites you about it?
Carolin: Yoga is an anchor for me in the hustle and bustle of my everyday life. As a self-employed designer, founder and mom, time for myself is often scarce. With yoga, I am back in the moment, can pause and find clarity and peace. The central point for me is awareness. The focus on the essential.
Regina: That's exactly how I feel. The longer I practice, the easier I find my focus and manage to break through stress spirals and thought carousels.
There were certainly some challenges in developing the sustainable products and finding suitable manufacturing sites. Can you give us some insight into this process?
Carolin: We started by defining our key sustainability criteria: Durability, both in terms of quality and design, and a mindful use of the material that is already there. Through our work as designers, we already had contacts with many fabric suppliers and producers and could more easily research what was new in sustainable materials, for example. For our first collection, we then implemented everything that was immediately possible: we used only 100% recycled and Bluesign-certified fabrics. The outer material of our bags is an extremely durable and robust nylon. When designing our bags we do not follow trends, all styles should have a timeless, clear and reduced design.
Regina: Sustainability is an ongoing process for us, and we are constantly looking for ways to get better. A process in which our producers in Vietnam support us a lot. For our last production we replaced the packaging material with recycled material, and for the next production we are replacing all the webbing that is not recycled now with webbing that is made from 100% recycled PET bottles. The bigger challenge will be concepts that require entirely new processes. In the near future, for example, we would like to offer a repair service and develop a circular backpack.
What makes your bags stand out, and do you have plans to expand your product range further?
Carolin: With kaala, we want to establish a brand that supports the "Yoga-Way-Of-Life" with products that are equally aesthetic, functional and sustainable. In doing so, products other than bags may well emerge. It is important for us that each product offers a real benefit and that we continuously educate and improve ourselves in terms of sustainability.
What is your vision for the coming years in terms of a more sustainable and conscious use of resources?
Carolin: The textile industry creates a huge ecological footprint, and we take the responsibility for the impact we are having as a producing business very seriously. However, as founders and designers, we also see being part of the process as an opportunity to change things and contribute towards a more sustainable economy. Following the simple motto "Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle" we can make improvements step by step. Many small changes that together make a difference.
Regina: Following the same principle, we also try to make mindful everyday decisions in our private lives: To buy only what we need, to pay attention to quality, to use things for a long time and to repair when possible.
Thank you very much for your time and the nice interview.
KAALA
The Hamburg-based yoga label kaala creates bags and backpacks that help you integrate a regular yoga routine into your everyday life. kaala combines function with fashion and everyday life with yoga - simple and beautiful. But kaala products should not only be beautiful, but also useful - for you and for the planet.
