Talking Walls: Beautiful prints inspired by culture

The initial idea behind Talking Walls was initiated by Philippe Pelsmaekers, a former communications and design professional. Few years later, with the help of stylist and interior designer Trui Vermeire the brand was launched.

Over the years, more people have invited themselves to share their beautiful images through their collections.

All Talking Walls scarves are produced at an Indian textile atelier, with whom they have built a strong partnership throughout the years.

Talking Walls uses 100% conventional corduroy cotton with an elastic waistband for their skirts, noting that while cotton is biodegradable and renewable, it has environmental impacts, especially in conventional production. Read more about conventional cotton here.

The elastane waistband, used for its flexibility, has a notable environmental impact due to petroleum-based chemicals in its production, resulting in higher carbon emissions and water usage. However, the product is relatively easy to recycle if the waistband is disassembled.

Their scarves are made up of 80% modal / 20% silk.

Modal is a semi-synthetic fibre made from wood pulp, and it is generally considered more eco-friendly than traditional rayon or synthetic fibres. It is biodegradable and produced using a closed-loop process that minimizes environmental impact.

Silk is a natural fibre obtained from silkworms but requires energy-intensive processes for production, including boiling silkworms alive in some cases. The silk industry’s environmental impact includes water consumption, pesticide use, and energy consumption.

Both modal and silk fibres are biodegradable, which means they can decompose naturally over time.

The logo is embroidered, which is eco-friendly for its minimal chemical use and durability, although factors like thread sourcing and energy usage should be considered.

Each item includes a tag with the original picture, story caption, and GPS code.

Packaging is done in luxury recycled cardboard boxes.

The products are relatively circular with products. Their skirts, are relatively easy to recycle when the waistband is disassembled. This make for easy, efficient recycling. Additionally, their scarves, made of biodegradable materials, contribute to a more sustainable product lifecycle.

However, they do not provide any information on responsible disposal of the garments at the end of use.

Talking Walls leaves some uncertainty regarding the length of the supply chain. It mentions that production takes place in India,

produced at an Indian textile atelier, with whom they have built a strong partnership throughout the years.

Once manufactured, orders are shipped and distributed across Europe using services like BPost and DPD.

The lack of clarity surrounding production and material sourcing limits our understanding of the brand’s supply chain, particularly in terms of its length and sustainability.

Talking Walls uses silk in its scarves, a natural fibre obtained from silkworms, without specific mention of the animal welfare practices associated with its production. Silk production often involves boiling silkworms alive to obtain the silk fibres.

Talking Walls embraces a slow fashion approach by creating meaningful and enduring pieces.

The brand invites collaboration from individuals worldwide, encouraging them to share their images for future collections. This collaborative spirit not only promotes diversity but also adds a personal touch to the brand’s creations.

Each contributor receives credit on the packaging, fostering a sense of recognition and shared success.

Their designs are inclusive, one size fits all (small to large) and versatile.

Talking Walls is lacking in terms of transparency.

Although production occurs in India, the brand offers limited information about the ateliers involved, leaving certain aspects undisclosed. However, Talking Walls does foster inclusivity and shared storytelling through an open dialogue with its global contributors. To improve transparency, the brand should consider providing more comprehensive information about material sourcing and the specific production processes in India.