It started on the sofa, with a growing bump
Swan and the People started with a search that came up empty: a maternity dress that stays beautiful, lasts, and simply goes with the clothes you already own.
The woman behind Swan and the People
Swan and the People belongs to Zwaantje Harms. After years in the fashion industry she decided to go her own way — driven by quality, sustainability and spiritual growth.
While new life was unfolding in her belly during her first pregnancy, the idea for Swan and the People took shape in her heart.
With a growing bump she went looking for the perfect dress
She sat on the sofa, looking for a sustainable piece she could wear through her whole pregnancy. Something that would keep its quality and go easily with the rest of her wardrobe.
She didn’t find it. So she made it herself.
And so the Swan dress was born
Inspired by her own experience, Zwaantje designed a sustainable maternity dress that supports mothers. She understands the transformation motherhood brings, and wants to inspire other women to pass their own values on to their children.
The one buy for your whole pregnancy. A compliment to your beautiful pregnant body.Swan
Pausing, reflecting and embracing yourself
At Swan and the People we encourage mothers to pause, to reflect and to embrace themselves in this particular chapter of their lives. We want them to take the next step in their journey — as a mother and as a woman — with confidence and joy.
Time, attention and craft
From the design to the seamstresses who make the clothing: we want everyone in the process to have enough time. Time to work with care. No overtime, but fair working conditions.
We work with a small workshop in Portugal. Because the factory is small we know not only our contacts but also the people working there — from the pattern makers and seamstresses to the quality controllers. That partnership goes back years: they know our standards and how we work.
Ecovero, a greener alternative to viscose
Our clothing is made from Ecovero, a sustainable version of viscose, made from wood pulp from carefully managed European forests.
Compared with conventional viscose it takes half the water and half the energy. The fabric feels soft, is stretchy and wears comfortably — a dress that honours and supports your pregnant body.
Not a regular business model, but everything from a sustainable idea.Swan
As compact and as clean as possible
Transport from Portugal to the Netherlands is handled by a Dutch partner that takes sustainability seriously. They drive Euro 6 engines — the cleanest in the country — and achieved the highest possible result at Lean & Green.
We keep the parcels as small as we can too: one dress fits exactly in a box that goes through the letterbox.
A loving gesture to mother earth
Our wish to give something back goes further than producing sustainably. We offset pollution locally and support projects set up by inspiring women.
One of them is the Heer Ikigai foundation, which plants food forests and pick-your-own gardens. That project is 24 kilometres from us — feeding the earth, literally around the corner.
Wear what grows with you
Designed in the Netherlands, fairly made in Portugal. Before, during and after your pregnancy.
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