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Name
José Hendo
Bio
Jose Hendo is a Ugandan-born British eco-sustainable designer and artist who takes a fresh approach to fashion design, challenging the throwaway culture. Founder of the José Hendo brand, the Bark to the Roots (B2TR) initiative, and the R^3 Campaign, Jose Hendo has won multiple awards. She promotes the use of organic eco-textiles and recycled materials to
create unique (often avant-garde) garments and accessories. She supports ethical values and care of the environment.
Designing today requires an awareness of the impact of the fashion industry on the environment. In her desire to get away from fast fashion, ‘sustainable by design’ is her mantra, from material choices, to clever cutting and simplified production processes. “The clothes we wear are a direct expression of our personalities, beliefs and lifestyles. Therefore the choices
we make have a far reaching effect. That is why I say the history of a garment is just as important as its future.”
She chooses to work extensively with barkcloth. Barkcloth-making is a centuries-old technique, considered the oldest cloth made by man. In 2005 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Material. The tree regenerates another bark ready for harvest annually up to sixty years. This organic cloth predating the weaving era is the best ambassador for sustainability.
In 2014 Jose Hendo launched an initiative called BARK TO THE ROOTS (B2TR). She is now connected to the Barkcloth making community in Uganda who have preserved the barkcloth making heritage. Also in 2014 propelled by the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh, she launched her R^3 (Reduce Reuse Recycle) Campaign using workshops, talks, and exhibitions for publicity. Barkcloth features in all collections, used innovatively alongside other organic fabrics such as organic cotton, silk, hemp, bamboo, and end-of-line natural fibre fabrics, and upcycling.
Jose Hendo garments and artworks made out of barkcloth are in permanent exhibitions in museums and institutions around the world. Jose Hendo is taking part in the Venice Biennial 2024, in the Uganda Pavilion, where she is showing three of her soft sculptures and a large artwork wall hanging, all made from Ugandan barkcloth. These will be on display until end of November 2024.
create unique (often avant-garde) garments and accessories. She supports ethical values and care of the environment.
Designing today requires an awareness of the impact of the fashion industry on the environment. In her desire to get away from fast fashion, ‘sustainable by design’ is her mantra, from material choices, to clever cutting and simplified production processes. “The clothes we wear are a direct expression of our personalities, beliefs and lifestyles. Therefore the choices
we make have a far reaching effect. That is why I say the history of a garment is just as important as its future.”
She chooses to work extensively with barkcloth. Barkcloth-making is a centuries-old technique, considered the oldest cloth made by man. In 2005 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Material. The tree regenerates another bark ready for harvest annually up to sixty years. This organic cloth predating the weaving era is the best ambassador for sustainability.
In 2014 Jose Hendo launched an initiative called BARK TO THE ROOTS (B2TR). She is now connected to the Barkcloth making community in Uganda who have preserved the barkcloth making heritage. Also in 2014 propelled by the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh, she launched her R^3 (Reduce Reuse Recycle) Campaign using workshops, talks, and exhibitions for publicity. Barkcloth features in all collections, used innovatively alongside other organic fabrics such as organic cotton, silk, hemp, bamboo, and end-of-line natural fibre fabrics, and upcycling.
Jose Hendo garments and artworks made out of barkcloth are in permanent exhibitions in museums and institutions around the world. Jose Hendo is taking part in the Venice Biennial 2024, in the Uganda Pavilion, where she is showing three of her soft sculptures and a large artwork wall hanging, all made from Ugandan barkcloth. These will be on display until end of November 2024.
