Queralt Ferrer is a seasoned global Fashion Design and Creative Director with more than two decades of experience at major firms in the industry.

During the pandemic, Queralt decided to launch Five of Us, an online children's lifestyle brand with a unique proposition: made to order, customisable, handcrafted and designed children's clothes that are made to last using sustainably sourced fabrics and yarns.

Queralt started the Five of Us brand with the vision, to make clothes that would be fit for dinner with the Queen and climbing trees alike but also reviving traditional craftsmanship with a modern and responsible approach. Making pieces that are sustainably sourced and that are produced as they are ordered reduces textile waste and the current overproduction in the industry.

With over 3 billion children's garments being thrown into landfills every year, the made to order model could certainly help slow down this big overproduction if adopted on a larger scale.

Five of Us is very keen on educating the next generation to dress more responsibly. One of their goals is educating the next generation on dressing more responsible and teaching children to understand how they can contribute to a more responsible and sustainable future when deciding about their clothes.

Here are 5 sharings on how to open up this conversation with the future generation about dressing more responsibly.

Buy clothes that last

The idea of educating our children to chose and buy better. Not everything has to be bought now, wear it now and just for 1 occasion. Learn to buy clothes that can be worn for many occasions and seasons. If people were able to get twice as much wear out of the clothes they buy, it will massively reduce the impact on the environment caused by fast fashion which currently accounts for 10% of all carbon emissions.

Back to basics

Take the time to sit down with your child and choose the right garment, fabric, collar etc, to create something unique that can be worn to go to a special dinner or for having fun in the garden. This is something that I really enjoyed when I was a child, going to a little shop in Barcelona with my mum and choosing from different beautiful stiles and fabrics and when we were finished we use to go for a stroll and get some ice cream! Beautiful memories with my mother and experiences that last in the memory. These experiences should still be taught to children, even if you are customising and choosing the fabrics online as you can on our website, they still feel a part of that whole process which builds excitement and memories.

Teach fabrics

Following on from the previous point, teaching our children about fabrics and well-made clothes is imperative. Showing the differences between the best and worst fabrics can be vital for choosing clothes that last. For example, teaching children how to choose a good quality organic cotton as opposed to chip a poor cloth fabric can mean they are buying clothes that could last twice as long and can even be passed on to future generations. We should teach children what a well-made garment means, how the seams have been sewn, how different they are from a cheap overlook seam and what a good fit looks like. Also, the way the garment has been made means you can wash it and wear it again without having to spend an extensive amount of time ironing it.

The right size

Teach children how to choose the right size. Instead of buying 3 different sizes to get the right fit and returning the other two, take the time to take the measurements to receive the perfect garment. Showing them how to find garments that have been designed to allow for lots of room to grow means the garment can be worn for multiple seasons.

Teach them about versatility

Teach children how to buy garments that can be worn for more than 1 occasion and season. For example, a dress can be worn in summer with sandals and then re-style it in winter with boots and a chunky warm cardigan. The same dress can be worn for a special event or to have fun with friends in the park. This is a great way to give our children the knowledge of what to look for and how to dress more responsibly.

Bonus tip

This may be a bonus point but is equally as important as the others. Teaching children that when you have overgrown the garment you don't need to throw it away. They can pass it on to their own children or family relatives or donate it to a charity. Good quality items last forever! (or at least a very long time!)

Quality and Longevity are core values at the heart of everything we do at Five of Us and we want to spread the voice around!

We have now extended our seasonless, handmade and custom made kidswear collection with a unique made to order nursery range. Please discover more at www.fiveofus.com