Innovation

Sudlan's mark in the industry is their "use of scrap fabrics, which would otherwise be thrown away" in all their designs. Going in this direction is not exclusively a creative decision but is also rooted in Jam's advocacy for representing minorities. Ms. Bonifacio shared that she "feels for the plight of indigenous peoples in the country since they are subjected to discrimination, displacement, and poverty every day." As a creative, the most concrete way she thought of uplifting their conditions was by using Sudlan "to support one of their more vital industries: weaving. Sudlan sources scrap textiles from indigenous weaving communities in Ilocos and the Cordilleras in the Northern Philippines." For the weaving communities, this opportunity has afforded them a stable source of income, especially during the pandemic. For Sudlan, it has allowed them to explore different designs and formats that would best showcase the fabric as (usable) art.

Working only with available materials means that all pieces are different. We can appreciate that every design released is a product of consciousness and creativity—the foundations of Sudlan's business philosophy. In the release of each collection, Jam considers "what items people tend to use the most, and [I make] makes a version of that in a way that incorporates the scrap fabrics into timeless designs with long-lasting quality." Creating products that can be used and reused is important because Jam does not intend for Sudlan "to add to the waste produced by fast fashion giants, knowing the domino effect this has on people and the environment."

Inspiration

Sudlan started with Jam Bonifacio's sewing hobby, which eventually grew into a full-fledged business. She recalled: "with an old banig and some old fabrics from my attic, I created a hand-stitched wallet. Many friends saw what I made and wanted one of their own, so I made a batch of wallets and gave them out as presents." This circle of friends saw the quality of her work and wanted to support her craft by buying these more upcycled accessories from her. Soon enough, even strangers started buying from Sudlan as Jam expanded her brand's product line to include belts, bags, hats, facemasks, and made-to-order apparel.

As her company grew, Jam realized she wanted to make indigenous Filipino textiles more accessible to consumers. She pointed out that "most products and accessories using traditional handwoven fabrics are expensive and used only for formal occasions." Jam wants to change this by "incorporating modern elements into her designs, making them more casual and something people can use daily." Furthermore, she believes that making her prices more affordable ensures that Sudlan's products remain accessible to people from all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds—giving every Filipino the opportunity to appreciate the country's various indigenous works.

*banig = a traditional handwoven mat primarily used for sleeping.

Overall impact

Sudlan champions itself as an environmentally sustainable venture by using scrap materials to create unique handwoven designs for many of her products. This not only reduces the amount of textile waste in landfills but also enables Jam to “sell her products at affordable prices while inspiring other fashion brands to do the same, and for individuals to be more conscious of what they purchase and how they use it.” She also says that “each pattern has a message,” showing that each of her products has a different story.

As a young company, Sudlan has made indigenous products accessible and affordable to every Filipino. They are no strangers to bazaars and fashion shows where they introduce the craft, and Jam fondly shared that “a 12-year-old girl once begged her mom to purchase a Sudlan bag for school. She [the mother] was proud that her daughter wanted something local and handwoven, even offering to save her [the daughter] baon to buy it.” Each piece they create works towards the vision of Sudlan empowering weavers all over the Philippines by strengthening the demand for handwoven textiles and products, promoting indigenous designs, and providing fair employment to more local artisans, especially “in the future when they gain more sales and resources to expand the business.” Jam believes there is potential for weaving, saying, “hopefully, local weaving should be able to help others.”

*baon = allowance

Business benefit

Sudlan's innovation of using scrap materials reduces expenses and wastage, with Jam recounting that "even materials that are nearly in shreds are sufficient in making products." The company sources unwanted fabric pieces from their partner weavers, which cycle into the business. This benefits the business twice as it minimizes the need to purchase new materials and provides better margins for the four-person team behind Sudlan to continue doing what they do. Despite the team's size, Sudlan can make hundreds of thousands in sales yearly. Beyond their usual offerings of hats, bags, and clothes, customers support the brand because they cater to made-to-order and wholesale purchases of masks, pouches, and other small accessories.

Sudlan proves that sustainability, through a circular economy, is indeed profitable and fulfilling, as demonstrated by her revenue made running the business. When asked about Sudlan's goals for the future, she states, "we want to introduce handwoven products to everyone" and "we want to sell to the youth so that they can become familiar with the crafts of indigenous people." Jam's passion and vision for Sudlan empower her to be a driver of social change within her area. The weavers' impact on the business also creates a sense of community among them and Sudlan as they empower each other to see what small pieces—small actions—can amount to. Jam says that "the skills of a Filipino are that of exemplary expertise and diligence," showcasing her drive to maximize the potential of Filipinos. Jam and her team seek to continue expanding the business by persevering in the use of scrap materials, relying on local suppliers, developing a brand based on sustainability, selling to more customers, and nurturing a niche where both they and Sudlan can grow.

Social and environmental benefit

Sudlan’s creative use of scrap fabrics and old garments to make new pieces has reduced waste in a largely pollutive industry. Their products and price points have also made traditional woven textiles accessible to more people, “working to promote local industries at a fraction of the cost.” All that Sudlan has achieved up to this point is thanks to the four-person team that runs it, but this is just the beginning. Ultimately, their goal is to help out near and far. Many women in Jam’s community sew–either as a hobby or a side job–so she and her partner are working hard to expand the business. According to Jam, “it is fun to sew. It [sewing] is all the more fulfilling because I see firsthand how her passion turned into a business that does good for the local weavers, for preserving culture, and looking out for the environment.” Once operations are big enough, she shares that “the plan is to hire women from her community and compensate them with livable–not just minimum–wages and benefits. The indigenous weavers will also greatly benefit from this since they will have an additional stream of steady income to sustain themselves and their livelihoods.” Sudlan’s emphasis on employing a 100% local workforce–from suppliers to employees–taps into the diligence and craftsmanship of Filipinos and minimizes the reliance on foreign outsourcing, which potentially engages in harmful practices merely based on low material and labor costs.

Jam shares, “if change were to start with me, I would use what others might see as waste and make something from it to help the environment. Anyone can do it too. [I] also [urge] others to look through what they have and be more creative with how they use things: use things they own for a different purpose, or [to] donate.” Sudlan’s story inspires others to take action because tackling issues regarding the environment, employment, and supporting women takes the effort of everyone.

Interview

Jam Bonifacio, Owner and CEO