Hong Kong design trio make homewares from discarded fabric samples

What inspired you to create Made In Sample? Clive Sit: “I’ve been an interior designer for 15 years. I noticed that a lot of samples we use, fabric as well as other materials, eventually go to waste. Realising that these materials could be repurposed, I started Made in Sample four years ago. That was how we created the look of our patchwork cushions.”

Where do you get the samples? Sam Fu: “From fabric suppliers who work on hotel and residential projects; from interior design firms, who have so many samples in their material library, which they replace each season; and from architectural companies, which use fabric and other samples for their projects.”

Tell us about your production process. Terry Law: “We try to involve as much of the community as possible. We employ mentally disabled people, who help us to cut the samples into a standard size. We also have retired garment workers who can patch and sew our designs together. We also work with people from St James’ Settlement [a charity that provides services to children, young people and the elderly, as well as counselling services], who help us with packaging.”