About Us

Hi, I’m Tala the founder of Wilde Hippi, a creative platform shaped by my journey through fashion, motherhood, sustainability, and self-discovery. With over 20 years in the fashion industry, Wilde Hippi is my response to a quiet, persistent voice within, nudging me to do things differently.

Have you ever felt like your life’s path was gently guiding you towards something more meaningful? That’s how Wilde Hippi began, a dream born from lived experience, a deep love of textiles, and the unshakable belief that we can do better, for our planet, our communities, and ourselves.

This brand isn’t just a business, it’s a reflection of my story and a call to action. When I finally sat down to dream it into being, I knew Wilde Hippi had to be more than a sustainable fashion label. I wanted to create a space for community, for learning, for creativity and activism, a movement for a better textile economy.

From High-Street to Heartfelt

My career began in London, designing fine knit jersey and print for high-street retailers like Next, Dorothy Perkins, Primark, and Evans. Back then, I didn’t question the system, we designed fast, produced faster, and moved on.

But everything changed in 2011 when I relocated to Bangladesh, joining my husband’s family business in textile manufacturing. Suddenly, I was immersed in the full scale of the industry: spinning mills, dye houses, CMT units, and huge warehouses of unused fabric. It was a stark contrast to glossy showroom samples, and it stirred something in me.

From Waste to Worth

In 2016, I moved to Singapore with my two daughters. After an extended maternity and two international moves in under two years, I launched a zero-waste kidswear brand repurposing our deadstock fabric into capsule collections. We supplied department stores like OG and Isetan, proving small-batch volumes had a place in the market.

But running a sustainable brand came with hard truths: high operational costs, slim margins, staffing challenges, and a lack of scalable infrastructure. The business wasn’t financially viable long-term, and I made the decision to wind it down by 2025 and go back to the drawing board.

Still, what I gained was clarity, and confirmation that my passion lay in the intersection of creativity, ethics, and environmental stewardship.

Rediscovering Purpose Through Study

To realign with my values, I returned to study, first earning a Diploma in Fashion Business from TaF.tc, then enrolling in an EMSc in Sustainability Management at NTU. But within the frameworks of business KPIs and carbon metrics, I found myself drawn back to storytelling, material innovation, and hands-on textile work.

That led me to a Master’s in Fashion Sustainability, a program that delves into circular systems, regenerative design, and the emotional narratives woven into what we wear. Through this journey, I’ve rekindled a deep love for reading, writing, and exploring the hidden histories of textiles. I’m learning about climate systems, new economic models, long-term thinking, and indigenous knowledge, opening up new ways to imagine what the fashion industry could become if we truly listened, learned, and led with care.

Why Wilde Hippi?

Wilde Hippi is more than a name, it’s a philosophy.

It’s about slowing down, reconnecting with nature, reclaiming creativity, and doing things differently. It’s the radical joy of making by hand, the wisdom in ancestral knowledge, the beauty in small, meaningful acts of change.

As part of that intention, I work under the name Tala. In transparency, this is a pseudonym. My real name is trademarked and contractually owned by another party. Adopting Wilde Hippi By Tala gives me the freedom to tell my story authentically, with integrity and independence, unencumbered by past constraints.

What We Stand For

Wilde Hippi by Tala is grounded in a few simple but powerful values

Craftsmanship with Purpose

We honour the rich heritage of traditional textiles, from handwoven cloth to hand-dyed threads, recognising the stories, skills, and hands behind each piece. This is slow fashion in its truest sense: intentional, rooted, and respectful. We believe in reviving old techniques, celebrating imperfections, and creating products that carry meaning. Every stitch is a quiet rebellion against mass production. 

Regeneration Over Sustainability

While sustainability asks us to do less harm, regeneration urges us to do more good. From plant-based dyes and natural fibres to circular practices and mindful sourcing, we seek to go beyond “less bad” and move toward healing ecosystems, restoring cultures, and reimagining our role as stewards, not just consumers. It’s about designing in harmony with nature, not in spite of it.

Community and Connection

Wilde Hippi is not just a brand, it’s a gathering place. A space for families, creatives, eco-curious souls, and change-makers to connect, learn, and grow together. Whether it's through hands-on workshops, storytelling, or shared experiences, we believe true transformation begins in community. Because when we repair and remake together, we don’t just restore garments, we restore relationships, too.

This isn’t just about filling a gap in the market, it’s about filling a gap in the soul.

What’s Next?

Through Wilde Hippi, I share stories, spark conversations, and inspire others to embrace slow living, meaningful making, and gentle activism. Whether it’s mending a worn-out favourite, dyeing fabric with plants from your garden, or passing on skills to your children, every small act matters.

I’m also open to collaborations with NGOs, consultancies, or conscious brands working to transform the textile supply chain, and I’d love to eventually teach, mentor, and inspire the next generation of designers and change makers.

Wilde Hippi is a home for creative souls who want to live more gently and make more mindfully.

One stitch, one dye bath, one conversation at a time.