Baue brings zero waste slow fashion to Ludlow

In a studio in Ludlow, a designer called Anna is quietly building a label around fabrics that might otherwise go unused. Baue, pronounced bower, creates limited-edition womenswear from gathered vintage and deadstock fabrics, with every piece cut and sewn by hand in the town.

The name comes from the bowerbird, a bird that gathers and carefully arranges treasured objects. Like the bowerbird, Anna collects fabrics over time, organising them by colour before composing each collection from that palette. Her process follows three steps: gather, organise, create.

Every collection begins with the fabrics. Before cutting, Anna works out exactly how many garments can be made from each one, so it is used as thoughtfully as possible with very little waste. That zero waste approach also means no two batches are ever the same.

Anna draws on 15 years in the fashion industry and designs clothing to be collected, worn often and treasured for years. The Ludlow Guide describes the pieces as influenced by antique textiles, folk costume and the joy of getting dressed.

Rather than seasonal ranges, Baue releases its ready-to-wear collections in small monthly drops, encouraging a gentler pace of shopping. The label invites customers to build a wardrobe they feel at home in, which it describes as a kind of personal retreat, expressive, reassuring and entirely their own. Customers can join a mailing list for early access, behind the scenes insight and news of in-person events, and garments can be ordered online.

Shoppers in the town have also been able to see the designs in person. In June the Ludlow Guide reported a collaboration with Lume, a clothing boutique on Church Street run by Lynne, who previously worked at OSKA. "Lynne has created a beautiful space filled with thoughtfully chosen clothing and accessories, and I'm delighted to be joining the collection," Anna said at the time.

For a town already known for its independent shops and makers, Baue is a fine example of craft and sustainability going hand in hand, and a reminder that the most interesting clothes are often made just around the corner.

Baue's studio is at 8 Belle Vue Terrace, Ludlow. Browse the latest drop and sign up for news at baue.co.uk.