When she started her own brand, she was primarily solving her own problem of insufficient supply. Today, Anna Pánková is happy when she can meet satisfied customers. What makes her Moonia different from other slow fashion brands? How to recognize really high-quality linen? And is the Czech approach to slow fashion moving in a positive direction?
You founded the Moonia brand due to the insufficient supply of comfortable pajamas made from natural materials. Why do you think there are few such pieces on our market?
When I started the brand, I primarily wanted to solve my problem. I had linen sheets and slept in them wonderfully, so I was looking for a nice elegant linen pajama or shirt. And I didn't find anything that interested me and that was sewn in the Czech Republic, and certainly not from certified materials.
Since then, several brands have emerged that have started offering pyjamas. And I'm glad for that. Together, we cultivate the home wardrobe, which is very often neglected because "it doesn't matter at home."
Before you came up with your own brand, did you ever sew clothes before? Do you remember your first pieces?
Yes, everything was crooked and there were threads coming out of everything. Nothing much. Like any beginning. I got a sewing machine for my 18th birthday from my mom, but the first attempts were still on her machine, which she got from her mom.
I started with various shoulder bags, laptop cases, cosmetic bags... I sewed a T-shirt and a skirt, but I had no greater ambitions. Sometimes I pulled out the machine to shorten the curtains or sew a pillow. And now I have it ready again and I'm going to sew clothes for the doll. And I believe that my daughter will forgive me a crooked stitch. (laughter)
You sew your pieces mostly from linen. How to recognize really high-quality linen?
Before I found the actual supplier, I went through hundreds of samples. Linen fabric has its own specifics and finding quality and fine linen was not at all easy. I always check where it was made and what certifications it has. Our linen suppliers are from the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Lithuania and the Polish side of the Giant Mountains. We buy already softened, so-called sanforized linen. This ensures that the fabric is pleasant from the first touch. We sew a sample of each new fabric and test it.
You currently offer three limited collections on your e-shop and are planning a new collection in the fall. Can you already outline what your customers can expect?
You can look forward to earthy tones that will brighten the rays of summer. We are now introducing Tencel, which is a really amazing pajama material. I discovered a beautiful fine cotton with GOTS certification. And we are now also including home sets. This is a tracksuit set, a t-shirt and a tank top. Everything will fit together beautifully, I'm really looking forward to it! And there will be one more little surprise. Such a clean, minimalist piece that customers like to take out.
Read more at https://grapesmag.cz/interview/rozhovor-moonia/