Making with purpose,
rooted in community

Slow Hand Creative Studio has been part of the Orbis Community family since the very beginning, with founder Melanie Kyles playing an active role as a valued member of our core creative team. Rooted in slow fashion, embroidery, embellishment, visible mending and upcycling, the studio champions thoughtful craftsmanship, sustainability and meaningful creativity.

Through workshops, commissions, educational programmes and collaborative community projects, Slow Hand Creative Studio encourages people to reconnect with materials, develop new skills and discover the value of making by hand.

Working alongside artists, students, educators and local organisations from its studio within Orbis Community, the practice brings specialist expertise in sustainable textiles and creative education to projects that celebrate local heritage, wellbeing, inclusion and responsible making, helping to build a more connected, creative and environmentally conscious community.

"The future of sustainable fashion depends as much on how we work together as it does on what we make. Shared creative spaces create opportunities to exchange knowledge, reduce waste, mentor emerging talent and challenge established ways of thinking. They become living ecosystems where innovation, craftsmanship and community reinforce one another, helping to build a fashion industry that is both resilient and responsible."

Melanie Kyles
Founder, Slow Hand Creative Studio