KeoK’jay: Green, fair, fashion

When Rachel Faller came to Cambodia on a US Fulbright scholarship nearly 5 years ago, she never thought she would make an impact on the country, yet alone the environment.

As the founder and designer of KeoK’jay, a fair trade social enterprise, Faller has designs made from hand woven recycled cotton and second-hand fabrics. About 70 per cent of the fabrics are recycled, and some are locally and sustainably made. The hand-made beads and buttons are made from Cambodian dirt, and grass reed mats, which are naturally grown, harvested and hand-woven.

“I wanted to design fashion that was trendy, fun, easy to wear, and casual. Various perception of eco-fashion is changing, and more designers are pushing that mold, showing you can be fashionable, while treating the people well and the environment well,” Faller said.

Once or twice a month, Faller goes to the garment recycler to purchase scraps of material, (about 200 kilograms of fabrics). In addition, she works with the Samaki Sewing Network to create the eco-friendly couture.

“Through Samaki, all staff members are paid good wages, and offered benefits and opportunities for job growth and further training,” said Faller. “So we are building a positive alternative to conventional garment manufacturing jobs.” Faller added: “We try to put the value into the people who make the clothes than the cost of the material.”

Formerly on Street 240, the new location of KeoK’jay is on the riverfront on Sisowath Quay and Street 110.

“There were some problems with the building that we were in, and at the same time a great opportunity came up with the space on the riverside,” Faller said. “The owners of Amara Spa upstairs were looking for a business that would go along well with their spa and they really liked what we were doing. So we made the decision to take that step and take on a new challenge.”

 Taking on challenges is nothing new to Faller, who has an art degree, but no business or finance experience. But she gives credit to her staff, (42 employees in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh) as she refers to them as her mentors.

“They are constantly challenging me, inspiring me, and keeping me going. I wouldn’t have been able to start or run this business without them,” said Faller.

Last month, Faller and her team participated in the ultra-glitzy fashion show, Glamazon 2.0, and Faller and her team were put to the test.

“We had to prepare both our new menswear collection, and also the avant-garde outfits for the final section, which were both new challenges for us and out of the range of what we normally do,” said Faller. “All of the outfits in the avant-garde section each took numerous days and hours to make, and I was proud of my team for what we were able to put together.”

With the launch of their new store location last week, and the Phnom Penh Designer’s Week under their belt, look for KeoK’jay to release their new collection in the fall, and make a bigger splash in the international market next year.

Sourced: The Phnom Penh Post