Quail is a British label, started in 2007. We produce ethical, fair trade and organic fashion.
Quail was founded in 2006, by Shauna Chapman and Jason Clark. The aim was simple—to tackle the need for clothing to be ‘green’, ethical, well-cut and original. The number of ethical fashion labels has mushroomed in recent years but Quail still retains a quite unique position within the market being one of only a few labels to not only design in England but also to manufacture in England.
Shauna is a member of the British Fashion Council, a body which exists to promote British fashion excellence. In 2009 she was duly elected by the Royal Society of Arts to become a Fellow in recognition of her entrepreneurial skills in the fashion industry and her work to address ethical and environmental concerns in the manufacturing process.
Quail has been selected as a 'best of' on numerous occasions by The Guardian, The Guardian online, The Telegraph and The GIN Lady. In 2006 Quail launched a South African shweshwe clothing range and made the front cover story of the The South African Times (Europe Edition).
Quail creates all products on what we call 'product provenance'. This ensures that the entire supply chain, from the agricultural practice of cotton-growing right through to manufacture provides what we call a ‘benefit in kind’—be it organic, fair trade or ethical.
Sourcing fabrics is about understanding the needs of textile producers; preserving a way of life, providing a sustainable economic and social infrastructure, taking care of the environment and traceability. Most of our cotton products use both certified organic (Dutch inspection body for organic production, Skal) and certified Fairtrade (UK Fairtrade Foundation).
Quail made a conscious choice to support garment manufacture within the United Kingdom. All items for sale have been designed and manufactured in England.
Quail is an ethical fashion label which offers unique clothing made from exotic ethical fabrics to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Handloomed organic and Fairtrade cotton from India, antique Indonesian batiks (some up to 60 years old), various other recycled fabrics and genuine South African Shweshwe cotton are used to create a line of expertly cut shirts, tops, skirts and dresses.
Lastly, but not least, an acknowledgement to John Hyam, the photographer who took the shots of our male model and the close up details of the mens shirts.
Jason designed and produced the website, with his Yellowfields
hat on.