Meet the Maker: Andión
We are excited to launch a capsule collaboration with Andión using our botanically inspired prints on their beautifully made, hand-smocked blouses. Andión is a mother-daughter atelier working from the beautiful hills of Galicia in northeastern Spain. Each of their pieces are lovingly crafted in a small workshop surrounded by cornfields, eucalyptus, and oak trees. Always handmade and always inspired by their Galician roots.
Where does the name Andion come from?
Andión was our father and grandfather’s surname, our main inspiration. He was a very humble man, with few resources, who always took great care of his looks. He had a special gift, he always managed to be trendy using his old time clothing. He believed style and self assurance never goes out of fashion.
When did you start learning the art of smocking?
My mum started as a teenager, it’s been a long time, around 50 years. All her life. As far as I can remember, I, her daughter, was always around in the workshop and started makin cross stitch by the age of 11. I wasn’t a very ordinary girl, while all my friends were playing with dolls, I was usually spending time in the workshop peeping in. Love to see the customers trying on the clothing and always behind the process.
Could you tell us a little bit about the history of smocking?
It started as a technique to add elasticity to garments, but to me the history is about bread and butter, it comes together, it’s the very essence of everyday life. My mum always told me she was taught at school when she was a child, and it has always have been a part of my life. Since forever I wore my mums custom made smocking dresses and blouses.
How long is the process of making one of our collaboration pieces once you have received the fabric?
The process is long, making a hand embroidered blouse, such as Amelia, could take a week of time, and that’s just the embroidery.
Could you tell us about the values and ethos behind Andion?
High Quality materials and sewing, attention to detail, uniqueness. The way we approach customers is how we actually feel about them: they are the protagonist and so, we want them to have a key role in our design process. Customers can choose the fabric and the style; sometimes we even accept some small suggestions to personalize even more the style they’re buying, such us changing sleeves from other styles, collars, or even mixing up different fabrics. We find that, the more you are involved in the the process, the higher the bond. It’s almost as if a blouse become a second skin. And customers so far tend to really appreciate it.
How do you address sustainability?
We are in the middle of a changing process that should’ve started long ago in the fashion industry. We need to help our world for years to come. It’s our priority. That’s why we only make what’s already wanted and payed for. So that we don’t clutter the world. That’s why making fancy & timeless designs is always our biggest challenge. And will remain being so.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Our aesthetic is romantic, that comes right out comes from the countryside: the nature and the spirit continuos timeless change. We do not forget about trends, but we try to retrieve the past, the old ways of making special and unique garments and bring them to present.
What does a day in the office look like for you?
It’s crazy, every day is different and amazingly beautiful. Our workshop is in the countryside at the bottom of Pico Sacro Mountain, so, we are always connected with nature. We always come up with ideas we want to try, we brainstorm a lot. Go for a walk for inspiration, get some veggies from our greenhouse, and back to office to continue where we left of.