2011 (website) – home intro
We are a family business based in the East of Scotland. There is a strong tradition of artistry and craftsmanship within the family that we bring to bear on the design of our fine jacquard woven wraps and in our dye work.
Our ethos is to create a product that has a low environmental impact and helps to grow the local economy. Therefore our fabrics are all woven in the UK and Ireland, we personally do all of our dye work in house, and we work individually with local dressmakers and seamstresses to cut and finish our wraps.
We also aim to develop and create our business with our customers foremost, and so welcome your input and feedback. We hope that this is a creative endeavour that embraces and works with the wider community of parents and carers, both those who are new to babywearing, and those with more experience.
Zoe first became interested in slings after living in China. She noticed how snug and happy the carried babies seemed, rarely crying, and how the women could carry on their daily work/life routines with the minimum of fuss. Then of course there was the beauty of the brightly coloured woven fabrics and intricately adorned mei tais.
When Zoe became pregnant with her first child she knew that she would carry her. Since then she has had twins and the use of slings proved invaluable in caring for 3 children under 2: One child can be comforted, another held, work can be done.
The whole family – grandparents, uncles, even friends have enjoyed carrying the children and have all loved the closeness and snuggles! We are all enthused to be sharing the joy of carrying our babies and children with other families, and hope that our slings will allow you to do that in comfort and style.
13 dec 2012/2013 (website) – home intro
At Oscha Slings (pronounced ‘O-Sha’) we produce beautiful, high quality wraparound slings & ring slings that are carefully designed and developed for you to carry your baby. Our fabric is woven in the UK and Ireland, and then hand-crafted into babywearing slings in Scotland.
We are a family business with a strong tradition of artistry & craftsmanship. We select fabric blends, patterns and colourways, and create custom designs to make exclusive slings. The result is an exquisite, luxurious babywearing sling that is long-lasting and reliable as well as soft and stylish.
We innovated the concept of the ‘wrap Collection’ to link the colours and blends of our fabric with lyrical and imaginative concepts drawn from local and global traditions as well as the landscape. Thus enriching the carriers with a rich tapestry of meanings and imagery from nature and culture.
The linen for our art and gradation dyed slings is sourced from a traditional manufacturer in Ireland, where it is woven on a famous old loom. Irish linen is amongst the finest in the world, with its finely spun yarn, its softness and strength. We then hand dye the linen using high-quality dyes to ensure long- lasting vibrant colour.
Our slings can be used to carry your baby from birth onwards. They are highly adjustable, durable and unique. With use, they will gradually soften, becoming almost silky. Your Oscha Sling comes with a handy bag and packs up small to carry with you anywhere: a practical essential for everyday life with your little one!
2012/2013 ‘About’:
We are a family business based in the East of Scotland. There is a strong tradition of artistry and craftsmanship within the family that we bring to bear on the design of our fine jacquard woven wraps and in our dye work.
Our ethos is to create a product that has a low environmental impact and helps to grow the local economy. Therefore our fabrics are all woven in the UK and Ireland, we personally do all of our dye work in house, and we work individually with local tailors and machinists to cut and finish our wraps. We also like to draw on their creative talents, working together to develop new products. For instance, our Highland pleat ring sling shoulder, which was the first box-pleat style ring sling available.
We aim to develop our business with our customers foremost, and so welcome your input and feedback. We hope that this is a creative endeavour that embraces and works with the wider community of parents and carers, both those who are new to babywearing, and those with more experience.
Zoe first became interested in slings after living in China. She noticed how snug and happy the carried babies seemed, rarely crying, and how the women could carry on their daily work/life routines with the minimum of fuss. Then of course there was the beauty of the brightly coloured woven fabrics and intricately adorned mei tais.
When Zoe became pregnant with her first child she knew that she would carry her. Since then she has had twins and the use of slings proved invaluable in caring for 3 children under 2: One child can be comforted, another held, work can be done.
The whole family – grandparents, uncles, even friends have enjoyed carrying the children and have all loved the closeness and snuggles! We are all enthused to be sharing the joy of carrying our babies and children with other families, and hope that our slings will allow you to do that in comfort and style.
SEPT 2013, including pics of artwork:
We are a family business based in the East of Scotland. There is a strong tradition of artistry and craftsmanship within the family that weaves into the intricate designs of our fine jacquard woven wraps and dye work.
We believe in creating products that have a low environmental impact and we are committed to helping to grow the local economy. Therefore our fabrics are all woven in the UK and Ireland, we personally do all of our dye work in house, and we work closely with local tailors and machinists to cut and finish our wraps. We also work together with them to develop new products, for instance, our Highland pleat ring sling shoulder, which was the first box-pleat style ring sling available.
All of our original designs are worked up from sketch to the final graphic version inhouse by Mike and Zoe. We liaise closely with our weave artist, Joanna, to ensure that the designs translate well to the woven fabric and to make any adjustments before going into production. We also work with traditional designs to create exquisite pieces of fabric art.
We have developed a close relationship with our weavers in Lancashire, where we have our own jacquard loom installed. We work together, sourcing and testing new fabric blends and weave compositions in order to create innovative and luxurious baby slings.
Mike, who originally trained as an engineer and worked for McLaren F1, is a self-taught artist and graphic designer. After a number of exhibitions as a fine artist and with a growing young family he became an illustrator and graphic artist, specialising in magazine and book covers. He brings an incredible eye for style, line and detail to his Oscha designs, such as Nouveau, Liberty, Margo and Surya.
Zoe is is also a self-taught artist, having learned much of what she knows from her father, Mike, and she has also exhibited as a fine artist. She graduated in anthropology and enjoys bringing social and cultural design elements as well as their meanings into the wrap designs and collection themes. Zoe enjoys working with textiles and is a keen crafter and quilt-maker. Examples of her work are Okinami and Eire.
Zoe first became interested in slings after living in China. She noticed how snug and happy the carried babies seemed, rarely crying, and how the women could carry on their daily work and routines with a minimum of fuss. When Zoe became pregnant with her first child she knew that she would carry her. Since then she has had twins and the use of slings proved invaluable in caring for 3 children under 2; One child can be comforted, another held, and work can be done. It has been a bonus that this can be done with the beauty and comfort of a woven sling.
Our whole family – grandparents, uncles, even friends have enjoyed carrying the children and have all loved the closeness and snuggles! We are delighted to be sharing the joy of carrying our babies and children with your family, and hope that our slings will allow you to do that in comfort and style.
Yours, Zoe and Mike
Dec 2014 homepage:
Baby carriers that memories are made in… Oscha designs marry contemporary style with timeless elegance in a practical sling you can rely on: the perfect setting to promote healthy bonding and development for your child.
Carefully developed for you to carry your baby, Oscha Slings are designed & handcrafted in-house in Scotland. They are woven on the Oscha loom with the highest quality, natural yarns in stunning, unique patterns that you won’t find anywhere else.
We use only premium cottons and the finest, British & Italian yarns from ethical sources to hold your precious bundle close to your heart. The high thread count offers unparalleled support, softness and adjustability for a sling that will truly last from birth into toddlerhood and beyond.
Our slings are award winning and come recommended by other parents who value the style, quality, comfort and ease of use. Your Oscha (pronounced ‘O-Sha’) packs up small, it comes with full instructions and safety advice, as well as a handy bag so you can carry it with you anywhere: a practical essential for everyday life with your little one.
Dec 2014 About page:
Welcome to Oscha Slings
We are a family business based in the East of Scotland. There is a strong tradition of artistry and craftsmanship within the family that weaves into the intricate designs of our fine jacquard woven wraps and dye work.
We believe in creating products that have a low environmental impact and we are committed to helping to grow the local economy. Therefore our fabrics are all woven in the UK and Ireland, we personally do all of our dye work in house as well as crafting the slings themselves.
All of our original designs are created by Mike and Zoe and are woven on our own jacquard loom. We are constantly sourcing and testing new fabric blends and weave compositions in order to create innovative and luxurious baby slings.
Mike, who originally trained as an engineer and worked for McLaren F1, is a self-taught artist and graphic designer. He brings an incredible eye for style, line and detail to his Oscha designs. Zoe is also a fine artist who originally graduated in anthropology and enjoys bringing social and cultural elements into the wrap designs and collection themes.
Zoe first became interested in slings after living in China. She noticed how snug and happy the carried babies seemed, rarely crying, and how the women could carry on their daily work and routines with a minimum of fuss. When Zoe became pregnant with her first child she knew that she would carry her. Since then she has had twins and the use of slings proved invaluable in caring for 3 children under 2; One child can be comforted, another held, and work can be done. It has been a bonus that this can be done with the beauty and comfort of an Oscha woven sling.
Our whole family – grandparents, uncles, even friends have enjoyed carrying the children and have all loved the closeness and snuggles! We are delighted to be sharing the joy of carrying our babies and children with your family, and hope that our slings will allow you to do that in comfort and style.
Yours, The Oscha Team