That's Fairwandlung.
Other brands stay the same. We don’t.
How an idea in Malawi became one of Europe’s most unusual reversible jacket brands — ethically produced, made from hemp, with prints we design ourselves.
A journey. A question. A reversible jacket.
2016. Mel travels to Malawi, not as a fashion designer, but as a volunteer activist with a question: How can sustainable prosperity be created without relying on donations? The answer comes in the form of colorful Chitenge fabrics. And the idea to turn them into fair trade reversible jackets — two looks, one bomber jacket, one promise. This is how Khala was born.
20 people. An in-house production.
In 2017, our production facility in Malawi opens. The first reversible jackets made of hemp and organic cotton are sewn.
2020. The team grows to 20 people, a small but proud company that worked with great passion.
We believe the biggest hurdles are behind us.
And then the pandemic hit.
Lack of reserves, no possibility for realignment. In 2022, we are closing production in Malawi. It is the most difficult decision in Khala's history.
Rethink, don't quit.
2024. A conversation with Nicole, the founder of DearGoods, changes perspective. Khala doesn't have to end; it can transform.
One thing was certain: If we continued, it would be with hemp.
The fiber that hardly anyone wears.
Hemp requires significantly less water to grow than cotton, usually needs very little pesticide, and is extremely durable: perfect for reversible jackets that won’t end up in the basement after just one season. Yet hemp accounts for less than 1% of the global textile industry. Our hemp reversible jackets made from organic cotton are our way of helping to change that—fairly produced, durable, and featuring prints that no other brand offers.
The problem.
High-quality hemp textiles are difficult to source. We checked partners in Turkey, Egypt, Portugal - without success. Hemp accounts for less than 1% of the global textile industry, and very few producers truly master its processing.
Until Robert, founder of HempAge, gave us the decisive tip.
Made in China.
2025. Robert openly shares his knowledge and recommends his production partner in Shandong, China: Hempfortex, A specialist in hemp textiles for over 20 years, certified under GOTS and Fair Trade Certified (Fair Trade USA), among others. According to the company, it meets 70% of its electricity needs with solar energy.
Would we have considered "Khala made in China" three years ago? No. Did we leave our comfort zone? Yes. Was it the right decision? Absolutely.
Sheela joins us.
Since the end of 2025, Sheela Newton has been designing our prints and patterns. For the first time, our jackets feature patterns we designed ourselves.
Khala is now available in selected stores in Berlin, Bremen, Munich, Bern, and Norderney, and online for anyone looking for a fair hemp jacket that truly lasts.
Khala is no longer what it was. It is more.
FAQ – Sustainable Fashion & The Story of Khala
How was Khala founded?
Khala was founded in 2016 by Melanie Rödel after a trip to Malawi with the goal of building a fair fashion label. The idea was to develop sustainable fashion that creates jobs and enables economic independence. This led to the creation of the first fairly produced reversible jackets.
Why was production in Malawi closed?
Khala produced in its own production facility in Malawi from 2017 to 2022. However, due to the pandemic and a lack of financial reserves, economically stable continuation became impossible. In 2022, production was shut down with a heavy heart.
Why is Khala producing in China now?
China is a pioneer in the processing of high-quality hemp textiles. Our partner in Shandong shares our values, operates transparently, and is certified under standards such as GOTS and Fair Trade Certified (Fair Trade USA), among others.
Is fashion from China sustainable?
Yes, what matters isn't the country, but how the products are made. Khala works with an experienced partner in Shandong that has specialized in hemp textiles for over 20 years and is certified under GOTS and Fair Trade Certified (Fair Trade USA), among other standards.
What does sustainability mean at Khala?
We use natural materials such as hemp and organic cotton, work with certified production partners, and design clothing that is meant to be worn for a long time rather than replaced. More important to us than the label itself is that people can understand what’s behind it: where it’s produced, by whom, and what certifications are in place.