Unpicked - The Designers

    Junky Styling

  Junky Styling, London, is a fashion house founded in 1997 that are most well known for their original tailored design and enthusiasm for recycling. ‘Wardrobe Surgery’ is a service provided by the brand that allows customers to bring their unwanted garments to the store and be a part of the recreation of that garment into something detail-rich and fresh. A consultation is required with the client, for Junky to recreate a garment into something new and desirable. The client usually has a reason for not throwing the original garment away or an idea as to how it should look; this aids the designers with creating a brand new look for the garment. For example, an old suit jacket could be turned into a dress or shirt; the possibilities are endless. The brand allows a lot of customer input, with public opinion very much shaping their collections and unique designs.

    Maison Martin Margiela

  Maison Martin Margiela is a French fashion designer whom famously redesigns objects such as a canvas or a scarf into couture garments, by hand. He is very much inspired by the concept of ‘deconstruction’ within his collections; with the lining, seams and hems showing on the outside of many garments. Margiela’s A/W 2008/09 collection consisted of recycled couture with garments formed from balloons, plastic bags and much more. Margeila’s latest collaboration with H&M unveiled a collection of Avant garde but reasonably priced pieces; bound to please the fashion conscious. This collection plays towards the androgynous look with tailoring cut loosely, suits adopting a masculine shape and drapes taking over shoulders and hips alike. Remaining true to his inspiration, deconstruction again takes the main credit for creating this collection. Gloves form handbags, belts form jackets and asymmetrical lines create two different garments in one. Margiela recently launched a new collection in collaboration with H&M and is available in selected H&M stores as well as online. The collection is awesome and really reflects the reconstruction technique talked about in the previous post. I'd recommend trying to bag a statement piece of his from H&M; it flew off the rails as soon as it was launched in stores and online so it will be a struggle but its well worth it!

   Gary Harvey

 Gary Harvey was the creative director at Levi Strauss whom began designing recycled garments during a freelance fashion campaign in which he took 42 pairs of Levi’s 501’s and created a dress with them. Since this discovery of a passion for recycling; Harvey produced his first collection of couture gowns made from iconic vintage garments such as, trench coat, baseball jackets and even copies of the Financial Times. His first collection of recycled couture was inspired by the silhouettes and practises used in vintage couture. The silhouettes replicate the simple femininity of vintage ball-gowns. The challenge to create a couture-inspired dress collection using recycled clothing has grown from a simple past-time to a serious message that recycled garments can be made into something beautiful. Gary’s first collection showcased nine of his stunning dresses during London Fashion Week. The collection together creates a dramatic display designed to change people’s perception of second-hand clothing and create fashion with a conscience.