True passion makes ‘Future Fashion’
Looking for an alternative to fast fashion? Meet Uma Nomad! I was truly in awe when I heard the story of Sammy van Diepstraten, the founder of Uma Nomad and Mamma Nomad. Her journey not only inspired me to take more action toward creating a safe and healthy planet for our children but also made me fall in love with a new perspective on motherhood.
For Sammy and her sisters, their journey began with a deep love for their children and a desire to make the world a better place, one piece of clothing at a time.
The inspiration for this sustainable children’s clothing business was rooted in Sammy’s experiences as a mother. “My daughter, Joyaa, is the reason behind most things I do. She was born nine years ago in Northern Thailand during our travels, and ever since, she has been my guiding light.” The decision to launch the business came from a desire to contribute not only to the family’s livelihood but also to the well-being of the planet. “I wanted to care for the planet as much as I cared for my daughter. And that begins with the clothes she wears.”
A few years later, when the business started to grow, Sammy’s sisters joined, making the venture a family affair. “It was very special to see that the company not only supported us but could also sustain my sisters.” This close-knit partnership underscores how motherhood, family, and entrepreneurship are intertwined in this endeavor.
Image Source: Uma Nomad
Motherhood plays a crucial role in how she runs her business. “Motherhood is at the center of everything I do. It fills everything with love and purpose. My daughter watches me—what I do and how I do it. I want to show her an example of living an authentic, meaningful life, where we can have fun while keeping the wellbeing of our world in our mind. We aim to do good for the people around us while leaving the smallest footprint behind.”
This maternal strength has become a powerful asset in business. “Motherhood has shown me my strength more than anything else in life. There have been countless moments where I thought I had reached my limit, only to find more space, more patience, or more energy. I draw from that strength in my business, especially in challenging times.”
At the heart of this business is a deep passion for creating beautiful, sustainable clothing. “ We believe that when something is made with love and attention, you can feel it in the final product. I have a passion for fabrics and for creating clothes that make children and adults feel magical.” Most of the clothing is made from repurposed fabrics, hand-selected with care. “Every fabric is unique and seems to have its own personality. When I run the fabric through my hands, I imagine the child or woman who would choose it, and I can already see them dancing in it.”
Image Source: Uma Nomad
The company goes beyond just creating beautiful garments—they ensure that every person involved in the process is treated with care. “We make sure that everyone who lends their skilled hand to creating our clothes feels good about it. We pay them well and not per garment, but weekly or monthly, so they can take their time crafting each piece.” The company also partners with NGOs to train women living below the poverty line, giving them the skills to sew and providing them with work. This initiative aligns with their zero-waste policy, as even fabric scraps are repurposed into items like bunting flags or scrunchies. “At the end of the year, we often have just a shoebox of waste. We’re proud of that, as are our tailors.”
Despite their success, Sammy acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead for the slow fashion industry. Competing with fast fashion on price is nearly impossible, and marketing is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive for small businesses. Additionally, the nature of sustainable clothing means customers buy less frequently, as the garments are made to last. “On the one hand, this is exactly what we want, but it does make it harder because you’re not selling as much to each customer.”
However, there is hope. “More people are choosing sustainable products, and that’s keeping the slow fashion industry alive. As long as consumers seek out smaller, local, and sustainable businesses and understand the value of what goes into these products, companies like ours can continue to thrive and make a positive impact.”
Image Source: Uma Nomad
For other mothers looking to turn their passion into a business, Sammy’s advice is: “Just go for it! Carry what you love and find what’s important to you into the world, and watch how your child’s eyes light up as they see you bravely and passionately follow your heart. Find like-minded people to share your journey with—it takes a village to build a business too.”
As for the future, exciting adventures are on the horizon. One of the sisters is launching her own jewelry brand Akya, while Sammy and her family have settled in Portugal after 12 years of traveling. There, they’ve bought a vast forest near Lisbon, where they plan to build an eco-village filled with art, culture, and plenty of activities for both kids and adults. “It took a lot of work to get the permits, but we’re almost there, and we hope to start building soon.”
With such a strong sense of purpose, love for the planet, and dedication to family, this business is not only creating beautiful, sustainable clothing but also setting an inspiring example of how to live with intention and care. As Sammy puts it, “We carry the future, we take care of our planet.”
