Kit Willow is a woman on a mission.
With her brand, KitX – launched in Australia in 2015 – the designer has been fiercely championing the sustainability cause, weaving it into every (organic) thread of her ready-to-wear line.
Kit’s business philosophy is double pronged. Where the KitX manifesto promises to eschew hazardous and contaminating materials, so too does it pledge traceability in the eco-friendly alternatives that are used in their place. And that’s not all.
As well as ensuring environmental and humanitarian welfare along the production chain, Willow equally uses her platform to shed light on pressing issues that are facing the world’s ecosystems; the latest on her radar is the dwindling bee population, which is estimated to have decreased by around one third in just five years.
Following her starring role among the designers featured by the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange last year – for which she worked with local craftswomen from the Solomon Islands to produce a dress, naturally and entirely by hand – Kit has since launched into Selfridges and FarFetch to bring her message of mindful style to a broader consumer base.
What’s the mantra you tell yourself first thing in the morning?
Diamonds are formed in the harshest of pressures.
How do you take your coffee?
No coffee for me! Just tea and fresh juice.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing instead?
Two things… One: environmental lawyer, representing the planet’s precious resources. Two: an artist with no deadline!
If you could only keep one outfit in your wardrobe, which would it be?
A denim suit – crafted in organic cotton, of course!
Who’s one person you’d love to have dinner with?
David Bowie. No explanation needed.
What’s the main thing you would like to achieve this year?
Speak up, and get active! Share knowledge… Push KitX, focusing on inspiring design creativity, and less on pumping out too many styles; source even more positive-impact textiles and trims.
Who would you want to record your audio autobiography, voice-wise? Florence Welch.
Why do you think you ended up doing what you do?
I bloody love fashion, women, and nature! I’m so blessed to be able to combine these passions. The only way is forwards…
Shop KitX:
More 8Qs:
+ Petar Petrov: "In another life maybe I would run a small bed and breakfast"
+ Marco de Vincenzo: "I would like to tell Meryl Streep she's perfect in every way"
+ Bella Freud: "I dream a lot"
