WORKING with the likes of the V&A and Claudia Schiffer is just the start for one Dunfermline firm with eyes on expansion.

Kalopsia Collective, a textile manufacturing brand based on Gardeners Street, have big plans to double their workforce, with the help of a community bond scheme.

Adam Robertson, who co-owns the enterprise with Nina Falk, told the Press: "It's been an interesting year but things have been going well – we just need to expand now to meet the demand.

"It's a really great process, we are just talking to people now to get their investments.

"It will allow us to offer a more accessible service, to hone in on the needs of our clients and get things to designers."

The community bond, launched by Scottish Communities Finance, has a minimum investment of £50 and aims to raise £100,000.

This will aid the business to increase their reach and expand their ability to provide a sustainable option for designers, with one of their core values being that they avoid excess waste.

Adam says this has become more important for clients in recent years as more people consider their carbon footprint.

"There has been a big shift," he said.

"We have been trying to get people to think about it for 10 years, we are allowing businesses to access services which are sustainable, whether that is a one-person business or a designer with more significant clients."

With seven staff members at the moment, Kalopsia Collective hopes to increase this number by two as soon as the bond delivers, and then by another five or six over the next few years.

"It has always been part of our plan, the bond just allows us to get there a bit quicker," he said.

"It also pushes you to engage with the community – for us that's Dunfermline, Fife, and the wider textile community across the country."

Nina added: "Our vision is to be the number one in the UK providing open and environmentally-sound textiles product manufacturing services to anyone with fabric regardless of their size or skill level.

"We believe a sustainable industry is vital to the future of British textiles.

"Working alongside designers, we want to encourage made-to-order production which is more economical and less wasteful.

"Our culture has always been to help clients produce products that will sell themselves – getting customers to invest in quality by making something that will be cherished, transcending trends and fleeting fashions.

"We reject mass-produced, poorly-made ‘fast fashion’ and champion high-quality textiles that have been made with craftmanship and skill, from concept to manufacture here in Scotland."

Founded in 2012, the firm offers a template of designs for those in the fashion industry to choose from, working in any volume from a single item to a thousand if required.

They service around 200 clients, from students in art and design to bigger names such as Kitty McCall, the V&A, the Royal Society for Arts, and Gordon Nicolson Kiltmaker.

Recently, Claudia Schiffer asked the business for 350 designer bags to be produced for give-aways at a special event.

Adam said: "We are on a fast trajectory and we will need to be there to meet demand."

"We are really excited, we are in a fantastic place with the business."

Investments in the company are for six years and offer a 2.5 per cent return.

"It works like any other bond, but has social and environmental aspects, people ware doing it for the love of the cause," Adam explained.

Pauline Hinchion, managing director of Scottish Communities Finance, said: "We are delighted to be supporting this successful Scottish firm with its further expansion plans.

"We believe this is a great opportunity for anyone to invest in a successful concept and help to take it forwards.”