At 23, Sarina Saddiq can proudly say she is on her way to make the world a more sustainable place to live in. Sarina, whose father works for Wessex Water, wrote to YTL Foundation explaining she had used her 2016 Puan Sri Kai Yong Yeoh Book Prize money to start a sustainable clothing business called SmartSquid. The nature lover cum fashion enthusiast recently graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in biology. We caught up with her to find out more about her book prize-winning entry and business venture.
Tell us about SmartSquid? How did you come up with the idea?
SmartSquid allows me to combine my two passions, fashion, and nature! I started painting creatures onto vintage denim items but in 2018 I started screen printing instead. Each design focuses on an environmental topic and all garments are made from organic or recycled materials. I aim to spark ecological conversations through my designs, I really enjoyed studying Biology at university and the content I was taught comes in really useful when I am designing new nature-based collections.
My first collection focused on the decomposition of a dung pat (not such a glamorous topic) and showcased the important, but underappreciated insects that are vital in this process – British Dung beetles alone are worth over £350 million to the agricultural industry per year! My second collection has just been released; it highlights creatures that are negatively affected by ocean pollution, with 20% of profits going to The Ocean Clean Up.
Alongside creating products, I also run art and nature workshops through SmartSquid. I have hosted a range of workshops in schools, youth groups and in collaboration with Universities in Bristol and London.
It is incredibly wonderful that you used your Puan Sri Kai Yong Yeoh Book Prize money to start Smart Squid. What made you do it? Were you inspired by anyone?
My entry for the Book Prize was based on the UN Sustainable Development Goal ‘sustainable consumption’; it was through researching the damaging impact of the fashion industry for the prize that I decided to launch SmartSquid and ensure that it was as sustainable as possible. The organisation Fashion Revolution has a range of online resources around sustainable fashion, this really broadened my understanding of the topic. There are a couple of great brands that inspired me to make my clothing as sustainable as possible, Know the Origin, Birdsong London and Lucy&Yak. All three are really good examples of companies who have sustainable values but do not compromise on quality or style.
How can SmartSquid help enhance sustainability other than using sustainable resources?
I aim to enhance sustainability through the designs I produce as well as using sustainable materials. With each design, I produce a postcard explaining why the creature featured is ecologically important. I hope that when people wear a SmartSquid garment and read the information postcard, they are inspired to spread the word! There is also more information on my website explaining the thought process behind the Dung Ecology and Ocean Collection; here people can learn about the importance of each creature, learn about the impact of humans on their survival, and understand what they can do to help.
I use workshops as a form of outreach where I hope to raise awareness about the natural world and sustainability through art.
Where do you see SmartSquid in the next 10 years?
If I am fortunate enough for SmartSquid to continue to grow, I would really love a small team in the future! A shop is also something I am keen on achieving within the next 10 years, I’d love a space to showcase products, run workshops, and host sustainably oriented events.
Do you have any advice for future Puan Sri Kai Yong Yeoh Book Prize participants? Any creative tips you would like to share?
I would strongly advise anyone who is thinking of applying to do so! The Puan Sri Kai Yong Yeoh Book Prize is a fantastic opportunity and I am so grateful to have had the chance to enter. I found it really useful to set aside dedicated time to work on each stage of my application alongside my studies. In the later stages of the competition, I think it’s really important to be truly passionate about whatever topic you choose! I found the prospect of producing a video as the final stage of the process slightly daunting as I am not a fan of being in front of the camera; however, I actually really enjoyed producing the film! I think this is the stage of the process where you can really show creativity and showcase your individuality.
What’s next for Sarina Saddiq?
I am really enjoying working on SmartSquid and hope to continue to grow my brand in the future! I am currently working on getting SmartSquid products into shops, and have applied to hold a stall at a couple of markets around the UK. I’m also working on my next collection Urban Pollinators that will be launched in Summer 2019. I am also currently interning at Integrate UK, a Bristol-based charity, and at The Global Textile Exchange, where I am helping with investigations into how companies within the fashion industry report on sustainability.
We can’t wait to see Sarina soar to greater heights. Good luck from your YTL family!
