Meet the Manufacturer
Orimpex - İzmir, Turkey
Orimpex is a Dutch-Turkish manufacturer or ethically and sustainably produced garments. Founded in 2007, they have been applying an 'organic only' approach since the start.
As part of their open door policy, anyone can visit the Orimpex manufactury anytime.
Meet the women: Simay and Nerin
Whenever Alex (left in this picture) visits Orimpex, she is welcomed by Simay (right in this picture) and her mom Nerin.
Simay's journey with Orimpex began through a family connection. The quality department, familiar with Simay through her mum, informed her about an open position. With her background in textiles and a passion for design, Simay eagerly joined the team.
Q&A with Simay
What's your approach to fashion & clothing?
I'm not interested in fast fashion, so I often design my own clothes. My mum sews my designs, like the black dress I'm wearing today.
What does an average workday look like for you?
On busy days, I start my morning with emails. During collection peaks, I meticulously check each sample before lunch. My afternoons are filled with arranging shipments, meeting with customers, and attending weekly production meetings to stay on top of our projects and collections.
What is Orimpex’s specialty and what makes you an expert in this product group?
Our specialty at Orimpex lies in jersey fabrics, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. For 17 years, we have exclusively used sustainable fibers, never producing with conventional cotton or virgin viscose. Our commitment to ethical production and our extensive experience make us experts in this field.
In what way are KOI and Orimpex a good match?
Kings Of Indigo and Orimpex are a great match because we share core values and philosophies. Both companies prioritize certifications, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainability. We care deeply about traceability, ensuring every fiber is sustainable. Additionally, Kings Of Indigo places a strong emphasis on the social aspects of production, aligning perfectly with our commitment to ethical practices.
Visiting Orimpex
Team of pioneers
Orimpex was founded in 2007, by textile pioneer Ali Polat. He saw that the organic market was growing in The Netherlands and noticed that the industry was moving to sustainable textiles for the future.
Since 2007, the "only organic cotton" motto has grown into a vision for positive impact on climate, soil, water, and society. Certified to GOTS, GRS, OCS, and RCS standards, the İzmir factory runs on 53% renewable energy, aiming for full clean energy by 2030.
Do you have any questions to us about sustainable manufacturing? Don't hesitate to get in touch via the form below:
Contact
HAPPA X Kings Of Indigo
Collaboration with HAPPA
As we follow the way in the apparel industry by using conscious materials, caring for garment workers, designing for a better future, and maintaining transparency.
While we can't do it all, Berlin-based restaurant HAPPA is pioneering contemporary plant-based cuisine. They deliver exceptional service and outstanding flavors, proving that high-quality, heartwarming food can be achieved through plant-based, organic, and vegan meals.
HAPPA X Kings Of Indigo
The Founders
HAPPA is a heaven for indulgence, community, and conscious dining, celebrating social and ecological values through its delicious vegan organic cuisine.
The restaurant was founded by Nina, a sustainability-driven project manager whose hospitality journey began as a teenage waitress, and Sophia, a pioneering vegan chef, cookbook author, and leading voice for zero-waste cooking in German-speaking countries.
Interview with Sophia
The vegan chef and the co-founder of HAPPA
Where do you source your ingredients, and what steps do you take to ensure they are sustainable and organic?
We source 80% of our vegetables from Querfeld, which distributes so-called Culinary Misfits—produce that does not make it to retail due to imperfections, such as crooked cucumbers or heart-shaped potatoes—all in organic quality and perfect in taste. By purchasing from them, we have already saved over 5 tons of food in 2 years, and everyone who dines with us contributes to this effort—how cool is that! We also receive some produce from Plantage, a regional cooperative that practices biocyclic-vegan farming. Additionally, we ensure that all our suppliers have transparent supply chains and meet organic standards. As a certified organic restaurant, we are required to verify and document our entire supply chain and the certification of our suppliers.
What are some fan-favorite dishes on your menu?
We offer lunch and evening formats with 3- or 5-course menus, so we have a wide variety of dishes. However, pasta dishes (handmade for dinner, of course) are always popular, as well as our freshly baked, super airy focaccia and special vegan delicacies like our liver pate, delicious gravy, and bread dumplings. We serve many Alpine and Mediterranean dishes, all infused with the diverse culinary influences of Berlin standards. As a certified organic restaurant, we are required to verify and document our entire supply chain and the certification of our suppliers.
Favorite personal dishes?
I love mashed potatoes, and for lunch, I prefer our stews, such as those made with regional organic chickpeas from Brandenburg for an extra dose of protein.
What do you hope customers take away from their experience at your restaurant, beyond a great meal?
During the day, many guests don’t even realize we are a vegan restaurant until we offer oat milk with their coffee. I’m happy when they discover how varied and satisfying a fully plant-based cuisine can be. In the evening, we have visitors who are often more interested in our extensive value system and ideally leave with inspiration for zero waste practices and information about our producers, fair sourcing, and more. We are definitely more than “just” a restaurant; we also provide educational value, in a culinary way.
HAPPA X Kings Of Indigo
Collaboration - Denim Aprons
In collaboration with HAPPA, we’ve created denim aprons and matching apparel to bring more comfort and functionality to their daily work.