More than ethical and sustainable fashion

Khala stands for the courage to forge new paths, even if they are initially difficult, in order to explore sustainable alternatives to doing business. Our focus is on Sustainable fashion and the creation of ethical working conditions along the entire value chain. Our passion lies in durable reversible jackets and hemp clothing , produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Learn here how our story began and where we are headed today.

How it all began - told by Mel, the founder

In 2016 I travelled to Malawi. There I realized: I want to found a social business that creates jobs and distributes prosperity from the north to the south – without relying on donations .

The colorful Chitenge fabrics of Malawi immediately captivated me. It quickly became clear: it will be a ethical fashion label . I'm neither a fashion designer nor a textile expert, but a psychologist and economist. Some business knowledge helped, but the rest had to come through learning by doing and the dedication of many wonderful people.

In 2017, we were able to open our production facility and sew our first reversible jackets . Over the years, our team has grown to 20 people plus many volunteers – a small but proud company that works with great passion.

Challenges

In 2020, we were finally able to pay the first salaries in Germany and felt we had overcome the biggest hurdles. Until then – as you might have guessed – the global pandemic hit.

We lacked the financial reserves to realign ourselves and remain competitive online. Malawi made things even more complicated. With heavy hearts, we had to close our production in 2022.

At first, it was clear: Khala would be history. It was neither conceivable nor feasible to continue without Malawi . My heart and our DNA were too deeply intertwined with Malawi. At the same time, I realized I wasn't ready to give up completely.

Restart

In 2024, a conversation with the founder of DearGoods inspired me to rethink Khala. I slowly accepted that the Malawi chapter was over, but that this didn't mean Khala's story was finished.

This time I wanted to plan more realistically, taking our personal time and financial resources more into account. Back then, we created good jobs in Malawi, but exploited ourselves in Germany. That shouldn't happen this time.

It was clear: no more in-house production, but a partner who shares our values , delivers high quality and has experience with hemp textiles .

Hemp - Fiber of the Future

We already worked with hemp fabrics in Malawi. I wanted to expand on that, as hemp is one of the most sustainable fibers in the world .

• requires significantly less water than cotton
• grows like weed almost everywhere without pesticides 
• is extremely durable and long-lasting

In short: Perfect for our reversible jackets.

Despite all these advantages, hemp accounts for less than 1% of the textile industry. China is the leading producer. Nevertheless, we explored other options: Turkey, Egypt, Portugal – tried them all, without success.

The crucial hint

Then came the crucial hint from Robert, founder of HempAge. One of the most authentic people in the fashion world I've ever met. Although we didn't know each other, he openly shared his knowledge with me. He told me about their partner for over 15 years: a production facility in China that embodies their values and processes hemp to the highest standards.

At first I thought: China? That doesn't suit us. But Robert's experience convinced me.

Ethically produced in China

If someone had told me a few years ago that we'd be producing in China, I wouldn't have believed it. Khala made in China – I still have to get used to that, because my first association certainly isn't ethical and sustainable fashion. Personally, I find that exciting: I have to step outside my mental comfort zone to make new experiences possible. The prejudices run deep. Yet, it feels right.

The next chapter of Khala is now being written in cooperation with our partner in Shandong – ethical, sustainable and on equal terms.

Khala 2026

In February 2026, our first reversible jackets made from hemp and organic cotton will be launched – ethically made in China .

Join the waiting list and be among the first to discover our new reversible jacket.