(Re)Introducing: Slow-Tek
I remember the first time I came across the word hubris. I was probably 13 or 14, reading a book I definitely shouldn’t have been (my friend Mazin and I had a system—scouring the library at Baghdad International School for books with “rude bits,” cataloguing the pages in a notepad. Teenage boys will be teenage boys, even in Iraq).
The protagonist was a revolutionary, fighting against authority, and the author kept describing him as having hubris. I had to look it up:
Hubris: excessive pride, self-confidence, or arrogance, often leading to downfall or failure.
When we started Story mfg. I never thought of the word. We were small and humble, growing slowly with no grand delusions. If anything, we lacked confidence. Other brands seemed to accelerate past us at breakneck speed—often to crash and burn. But looking back now, I think we did have hubris. In bucketloads.
We had no money, no connections, and no time, yet we turned every crack in the door into an opportunity. Back then, we talked endlessly about plans. One of them was splitting the brand into two arms: Story MFG, which focuses on slow materials and craft, and Slow-Tek, a vision for an offshoot brand using cutting-edge technical fabrics and recycled synthetics.
We were so confident in the idea that we even teased it in 2016 (one of several teases that, ironically, went nowhere because of our hubris). Little did we know that the fabrics we wanted didn’t exist—or at least, weren’t available to us. The companies pioneering these materials were signing exclusivity deals with giants like Nike, Patagonia, and The North Face. So, we archived the idea. Until now.
Why Slow-Tek, and Why Now?
Given how long it’s been—and how much we’ve grown—you might assume we’re committed to natural materials only. That’s largely been true so far, and I’ve written extensively about it. But actions speak louder than words, and it’s important to clarify: we’re not against synthetics. We’re against using them carelessly, especially when mixed with natural fibres, because they require different end-of-life solutions. Natural materials biodegrade and return to the soil, while synthetics often persist—sometimes as toxins if disposed of improperly.
That said, synthetics have their benefits, and they’re already here. We can’t ignore them. Perhaps it’s hubris again, but I believe better design can turn these wonder materials into something purposeful, instead of letting them pile up in landfills—or worse, being pressed into a limited-edition Radiohead vinyl.
Story mfg. is a design philosophy. For us, it’s about finding value in everything, placing it where it belongs. Sometimes, synthetics are the best choice. The challenge is using them responsibly.
This year, we felt ready to try again. We discovered a thermal material warmer than duck down for linings, and recycled fabrics durable enough for rain-proof backpacks. Developing Slow-Tek has been one of the most difficult and expensive endeavours in our history. Stockists, if you’re reading this, I owe you a huge apology for the delays—it’s been tough on all of us. But we did it, and I’m proud to say we’ve seen this promise through.
The Slow-Tek Philosophy
Slow-Tek isn’t just about using recycled materials—it’s about using them in ways that honour their lifecycle. For this reason, we’ve focused on mono-materials. Each item is made from a single ingredient—for example, 100% recycled polyester—rather than blends like 30% polyester and 70% cotton, which are nearly impossible to separate and recycle.
This decision ensures the materials can re-enter the recycling stream, instead of becoming waste. While I hope future technology will improve recycling capabilities, I’m not holding my breath for a magic solution any time soon.
Here’s where you come in
When you’ve loved a Slow-Tek item to death, we ask for your help in breaking it down. It’s a small bit of work, but we can’t do this alone. We need your hands. Every Slow-Tek piece comes with a “key” detailing its materials and construction. With a seam ripper (or your tool of choice), you can disassemble it into recyclable parts. If that’s not feasible, you can send it back to us.
Closing Thoughts
At Story mfg., we’ve always celebrated how our clothes evolve with wear—through natural dyes, ageing, repairs, and patches. We call it “Work is Love Made Visible”, inspired by an old embroidered patch, but researchers have a catchier term: The IKEA Effect. A 2011 study found that people value products more when they’ve had a hand in building, creating or maintaining them.
With Slow-Tek, your involvement shifts to the end of the lifecycle. It’s a new kind of partnership. For our part, we’re asking ourselves: is this right for us? Are we right for it? We don’t know yet. But clarity comes from doing, not waiting.
