Inseparable: A Mother-Daughter Journey Toward Sustainable Fashion and Craftsmanship

In this interview, Julie Wojtkiewicz, co-founder of Inseparable, shares the inspiring story behind the sustainable fashion brand she started with her mother.

Born from a shared love of fashion and a deep connection with nature, Inseparable combines traditional dyeing techniques using upcycled fruits and flowers with a modern approach to sustainability. Julie reflects on the challenges and rewards of running a slow-fashion brand that embraces organic fabrics, natural dyes, and small-batch production.

She also opens up about the joys of working alongside her mother and their vision for creating a healthier, more environmentally conscious wardrobe for women.

Nicolle: Can you share the inspiration behind starting Inseparable and how the idea of a mother/daughter duo came to life?

Julie: Mum was a single mum so we've al

ways been close and she quickly passed her love of fashion to me. In fact, as a kid, I remember spending Saturdays in our favourite boutiques to then doing cat shows at home. When I moved to Malaysia to pursue my studies, Mum would come regularly to visit and we explored and travelled South East Asia together.

Fascinated by the craftsmanship in the countries we were discovering and horrified by the state of the fashion industry, we instantly knew we had a special story to share: our love for fashion while building our very own sustainable brand that would connect our passion while being incredibly transparent from the dyeing process to the making of each piece. Therefore, after a few years of thinking over this idea, we started Inseparable in 2023, a slow and plant-based fashion brand entirely made using upcycled fruits & flowers and produced in the UK. I (Julie) am based in the UK while Mum lives in France.

Nicolle: What motivated you to focus on natural dyeing techniques, and how does this ancient craftsmanship contribute to the sustainability of your brand?

Julie: The dyeing process in the fashion industry is often overlooked, despite its harmful impact on the environment and our health. Living in Malaysia, I discovered the ancient batik technique, which uses natural plants, seeds, and roots to dye fabric while creating beautiful patterns. Inspired by this connection to nature, I began experimenting with everyday ingredients like avocado, onion skins, and wilted flowers.

My research revealed the toxic chemicals commonly used in modern dyeing processes, and I realized we could revive ancient methods for a cleaner, more sustainable fashion industry.

At Inseparable, we use natural dyes from repurposed flowers, fruits, and plants, such as weekly bouquets, onion skins, and berries. This approach reduces waste, avoids harmful chemicals, and benefits the skin. By embracing plant-based dyes and slow, made-to-order fashion, we promote environmental responsibility while crafting timeless, durable pieces. Our natural dyeing methods not only minimise the fashion industry's impact on the planet but also offer women a healthier, toxin-free wardrobe.

Nicolle: Can you walk us through the process of using upcycled fruits, vegetables, and flowers for dyeing your fabrics? What challenges have you faced in ensuring consistent quality?

Julie: The process of using upcycled fruits, vegetables, and flowers for dyeing fabrics involves collecting discarded or excess natural ingredients, such as peels, skins, and petals, which would otherwise go to waste. These materials are boiled or fermented to extract their natural pigments.

The fabrics are then dipped into these natural dye baths, allowing them to absorb the colours, it is truly magical. The use of natural fixatives, such as salt (called alum) or vinegar, helps the colour set, creating vibrant, eco-friendly fabrics while minimising waste and avoiding synthetic chemicals. Ensuring consistent quality with natural dyeing presents several challenges. The variability of natural materials—like differences in seasons, climate, or soil—can result in slight variations in the colour of the plant/fruit. For example, an avocado that comes from Peru or the US might provide a different colour but also it depends on factors like the journey the avocado had from its country of origin to the UK.

Additionally, achieving the same depth and vibrancy of colour repeatedly can be difficult because natural dyes may behave unpredictably. Natural dyeing is a long process and it can take up to three days to dye one garment from preparing the fabric to preparing the colour, dyeing the garment and washing it. It is a slow but very rewarding process. 

Nicolle: With you being based in Kent, UK, and your mum in Lyon, France, how do you manage the logistics and day-to-day operations of running a sustainable fashion brand together?

Julie: We are lucky to have unlimited data and only an hour's time difference!  When it comes to working together, from the brand identity or the fashion design, it all came very naturally! However, Mum has always gathered a beautiful collection of pieces she took care of for so long along her love for details has become the foundation of our brand. The most beautiful thing about working together is the trust we have for each other which is something sacred: we know each other so well that we know how to work with one another and that feeling of "we are in it together".

We also learn not to step on each other's toes and work on things that excite us ( as an example: creativity and fashion design would be something for Mum while I manage the marketing side of the business).  In regards to operations & logistics, we’ve decided to take baby steps & an organic approach by first starting the production and the sales in the UK. While we sell worldwide, Brexit has made things complicated for small businesses to start & thrive in Europe. However, having Mum based in France helps us expand into the country but also in other EU markets which will become more of a focus next year to tap into. 

Nicole: How does your choice of organic fabrics and natural dyes impact the overall aesthetic and durability of your clothing? What makes your pieces unique compared to other sustainable brands?

Julie: Combining both organic fabrics and natural dyes creates a soft but romantic aesthetic with a rich and high-quality texture. The durability of the fabrics is improved by the absence of harsh chemicals, allowing them to wear beautifully over time and result in garments that feel gentler and softer on the skin, often providing benefits to your skin too (for example: using turmeric that contains anti-inflammatory properties will help soothe your skin).

The uniqueness of Inseparable comes from the delicate variations in the natural dyeing process, which make each piece one-of-a-kind and very unique. Our clientele gets a bespoke and personalised item they will never see on anyone else. We also offer full transparency on how we build and create each garment and minimise our impact every step of the way by using upcycled materials, small-batch production, and the artistic element of ancient craftsmanship.

Nicolle: The fashion industry is notorious for its environmental impact. How do you see Inseparable contributing to positive change, and what do you hope to achieve in the long run?

Julie: It is always a work in progress and it all comes from awareness and trying to implement a positive change at every step of our garment making such as using organic fabrics, natural dyes, upcycled materials or the choice to produce locally in Brighton. 

Education is key here too - we need to help consumers understand the impact fashion currently has on our environment and also on our health without involving guilt or fear. Dyeing is a very harmful step in the making of clothes as it involves adding very toxic chemicals to synthetic clothes to be dyed in a variety of colours. In the long run, our aim with Inseparable is to educate and raise awareness around this topic and bring consumers to adopt greener choices while fostering a deeper connection between themselves and the environment through mindful, long-lasting designs, all while reducing waste and impact.

Nicolle: As a female-owned business, what advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs looking to break into the sustainable fashion industry?

Julie: Sustainability is a vast definition & can quickly feel overwhelming therefore my advice would be to stay true to your values and be prepared for challenges. Sustainability evolves and so will you and your business - you don’t have to have it all perfect and figure out from the start.

Be patient with yourself when it comes to growing your sustainable brand; sustainable fashion often requires more time and resources than fast fashion but also it is way more expensive so take your time to find the best options that work for you. Focus on creating a unique brand identity that resonates with conscious consumers, and don’t be afraid to talk about your beliefs and values - you will find your community.

Just embrace your passion and live it. 

As Inseparable continues to grow, Julie and her mother remain committed to their mission of creating sustainable, nature-inspired fashion that values transparency and craftsmanship. Their passion for ethical practices, combined with the unique mother-daughter bond, sets their brand apart in an industry often dominated by fast fashion. With a focus on upcycled materials, plant-based dyes, and small-batch production, Inseparable is more than just a fashion label—it’s a movement toward a greener, more mindful approach to clothing.

Looking ahead, Julie envisions expanding their reach while staying true to their values and inspiring others to make conscious, lasting choices in fashion.

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.