Meet Creative Brands: Jos + Lin and Atelier Mitoro

Currently at FAIR we are delighted to be showcasing some talented artisans brands based in France, Jos + Lin and Atelier Mitoro. Both look to existing textiles to inspire and create beautiful one of a kind pieces. 

Jos + Lin

We have known Jocelyn Whipple, the creator of Jos + Lin almost since we started in 2008. Joss has worked in sustainable fashion wearing many different hats but has always had an eye for beautiful low impact textiles. We interviewed Joss last week and hope you will find her answers as fascinating as we did. 

What first drew you towards sustainable fashion and conscious design? 

I think it was when I was at design school in the late 90s and I came across hemp as a fibre, as a material I loved everything about it, as well as its inspiring political history, it fit with the holistic way I new I wanted to work, so I bought my first 10 Metres of material and wrote my dissertation entitled, Hemp For Textiles in Britain in the 1990s' 

Was there a particular moment when you realised fashion needed to change? 

There was definitely a moment of no return when I was living and working in California in 2001, organising the USA's first ever multi brand 'eco' fashion show for The WholeLife Expo and we collaborated with the lawyer Julie Su, who lead one of the most important landmark cases against a garment sweatshop in California in 1995 winning immigration status and 4M in stolen wages for 72 Thai nationals who had been enslaved by the factory. This case was relatively fresh at that time  (2001) and it opened my eyes forever to the unthinkable hardships that so many endure. We were so honoured to be able to invite Julie Su and some of the survivors to share their story as a part of our show. 

What inspired the Studio Jos + Lin collection?

The incredible hand made pieces of antique and vintage linen home textiles that I find in my region of France. Especially the embroidery and cut work, I never get tired of admiring it and wondering at the women who each took the time to create such unique and precious pieces for their homes and families.

Do you think people’s relationship with clothing is beginning to change?

Some peoples is, I hope, and in-fact I think that for most of us it is constantly changing, evolving. 

What makes a piece of clothing truly valuable to you?

I'm a huge believer in the principle of 'form follows function' so what makes a piece of clothing valuable to me always starts with the textile, then the fit, and how they come together to create the purpose of the piece, then the colour and pattern. I love wearing clothes of all kinds that make me feel like myself.

Sustainable fashion is often described as more expensive. How do you respond to that?

Very poor people and the planet are picking up the real cost of fast fashion - always happy to dive into the details with anyone who wants to pick that one apart with me!

Has running Studio Jos Lin changed the way you personally shop or dress?

Yes maybe, although I think its more to do with living in a deeply rural area and not really shopping online. I run a big bi -annual clothes swap in my village and I've received so many great pieces from it. I'm also more and more committed to supporting other artisans local and from afar so wearing unique hand crafted pieces is something I do more that I used to. 

If you could change one thing about the fashion industry tomorrow, what would it be?

Heavily regulate the use of synthetic textiles of all kinds.

What gives you hope about the future of fashion? 

Our collective and ancient appreciation and appetite for craft and the desire to tell beautiful stories of land and culture through the clothes that we wear.  

What does a truly ethical and sustainable fashion industry look like to you?

One that reflects the symbiosis, diversity and wisdom of nature and that honours human sovereignity

What’s next for Studio Jos + Lin?

More unique pieces made from antique textiles, new natural dye colours and a new range of shirts and shirt dresses made from French grown hemp.

Atelier Mitoro

Mari Lafitte has taken inspiration from her travels around the world including her home country of Japan. She not only works with traditional vintage Japanese fabrics such as Ikat and Shibori but also works to create stunning silhouettes from nature using natural dyes.

Mari chooses to create simple shapes so the focus is on the work within the fabrics.

Our range primarily focuses of Mari's indigo and cotton collection. Each garment is a piece of work that should be treasured.

Visit us from 4-6pm, May 30th, 2026 for a special focused event on Atelier Mitoro and Jos+Lin. Refreshments will be served