Tove & Libra, the sustainable Hong Kong fashion brand that wants to change consumer habits
- Christine Chow and Ivan Tang, the founders of the label, talk about creating an environmentally responsible women’s fashion line
- Their clothes are made from upcycled fabrics, cashmere, wool and cotton, and Tencel - produced using wood pulp from sustainable forests
Why did you start Tove & Libra?
Christine Chow Chia-sze: “One of our goals is to help women create a more streamlined wardrobe, with items that they will wear more; dress more with less. Our styles are timeless.”
Describe your collection.
Chow: “We have tailored tuxedo pants, pieces made from 100 per cent cashmere, ribbed tees in a wool and cotton blend, jumpsuits made with Tencel. The materials are upcycled using leftover textiles from other designers’ productions. Our bestselling item is our elasticated cropped trousers, as it’s not easy to find women’s pants that fit well. They throw in all these bells and whistles, but you just want to make your bottom look good.”
What’s the advantage of using Tencel?
Chow: “It’s more sustainably produced. Cotton is fabulous to wear, but it uses a lot of water and energy. Tencel is produced in a closed-loop system. And with branded Tencel, it’s guaranteed to be made from wood pulp from sustainable forests. It’s softer and smoother than cotton as well as machine washable, easy to take care of and takes colour well.”
