SICA | Cultural IP Rights

SICA upcycling design

SICA is a fashion brand that develops upcycling processes for use in scale, minimizing the environmental impact of the textile industry, acting as a social transformation agent in the valorization of craftsmanship and bridge of connection between artisans and consumers.

SICA’s mission is to transform the world through fashion by nourishing people and innovating craft's knowledge for a positive impact on the planet.

A SOLUTION THROUGH TRADITIONAL CRAFTS

SICA understands that it is within the early stages of design of a product, where the most important decisions are made, which further impact and influence others and the environment down the line.

Problem solving is at the heart of the up-cycling design process.

In a world endlessly consuming our natural resources, causing catastrophic damage to the environment and human well-being, recycling and reusing is of rising importance on many different levels as a global human solution.

To find solutions SICA starts with an in depth research process. Looking into current environmental and social situations within the textile sector.

Highlighting problems such as resource waste, life cycle of a product and poor working standards. Searching for ways to motivate more responsible and transparent working methods.

RESEARCH IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PROCESS

It is both within the production processes and the behavior towards a products life cycle, that an abundant amount of textile waste is generated.

This textile waste is most likely to rest on a landfill or - small percentages of it - sold to fiber recycling.

As waste just keeps building up, it becomes more key for designers to utilize these materials.

FROM BRAZIL TO GERMANY AND BANGLADESH

SICA was born in 2006 in Curitiba, Brazil. Creating unique clothing and accessories from the vibrant textile waste from local factories in South Brazil. At this time SICA provided a platform to not only sell its own creations but to provide opportunities and partnership for fellow makers, artists and seamstresses.

In 2013 SICA expanded to Berlin with the line ‘Proudly made in Bangladesh’. A product line outsources textile clipping-waste from Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry (RMG) and brings them into the hands of the skilled craftswomen in rural Rangpur, Northern Bangladesh.

It has been vital for Simone Simonato the founder of SICA, to spend a lot of time in Bangladesh, nurturing the relationship with the makers and local organizations. Personally researching and living within these communities, Simone explores with the artisans to help develop their skills while providing fair employment and support.

Preserving traditional craftsmanship – utilizing textile waste–empowering the maker

Collaborating with skilled craftspeople to both support them as individuals within a fair working environment and to help preserve their traditional craft.

Making a 100% locally made product, developing educational spaces within the workshops exchanging and training the craftswomen and craftsmen in new techniques, allowing them to transfer the knowledge through their community and empowering them to extend their work in other areas and partnerships.

Simone, the founder of SICA plays a vital role in continually mentoring the local artisans. The sales of SICA collections provide the support needed for the makers community to sustain itself and grow. Helping the artisans to develop their skills while raising employment and labor standard, in accordance with the SDGs Helping #10 Reduced Inequalities and bringing #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth.

CLIPPING UP TEXTILE

The SICA Proudly made in Bangladesh line consists of functional accessories and homeware from its unique handwoven textile.

Sourcing the textile clipping waste from mass garment production and putting it into the hands of the skilled craftswomen in rural Northern Bangladesh.

SICA’s partnership with these craftswomen has led to the innovation of a unique durable and up-cycled textile. The unique interpretation of the weaver shown within each weave.

The textile clipping waste is woven together on the traditional hand looms. These looms have a simple set up compared to alternative industrial recycling techniques. This low energy manufacturing process requires no water or extra dyes, instead SICA uses the original colours and textures of the clippings to enhance the vibrancy of each weave.

As a member of the Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative® SICA aims to bring a perspective on how craftsmanship and ancestral knowledge can be a powerful innovation tool to mitigate the negative consequences of the fast speed of industrialisation.

At our Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative® bi-annual meetings we discuss and develop with our members ways in which to share our experiences and knowledge with communities around the world. One way to do this is by contributing as guest speakers in conferences and events.

Here are topics you can learn about from Simone Simonato, Founder of SICA:

Important tools for the research process are: Empathy and listening.
The value of handcraft & Upcycling- Craftsmanship as innovation.
Sustainability culture, why do we need to preserve those cultures? the importance of Legacy.