Repeat after us: Remade, Reused, Recycled. These are the core values of Christopher Raeburn’s eponymous brand. Since its beginnings in 2001, the incredibly collaborative fashion studio has been pushing forward its vision of sustainable and intelligent design by the reworking of surplus fabrics and garments to create distinctive and functional pieces.
In 2018, the importance of this vision for purposeful design processes and products is even greater. Even though sustainability starts being on top of the agenda for some, the reality is that we still live in world of over-consumption and fast fashion, where nor many brands, neither a lot of customers care about the impact of their purchases. And then, there's Raeburn, whose studio goes as fas as hosting Repair Open Days, where customers can bring their garment and have it fixed for free. "Don't chuck it or buy a new one, let us repair it," urges the website page for the event.
So, we can move the needle. And Raeburn is one of the handful of designers who are true eco warriors in the industry. His innovative approach to crafting wearable and versatile garments shone once again at London Fashion Week’s Men. For his latest AW18 collection, aptly named Immerse, the design studio draws inspiration from the beauty and fragility of our oceans, standing as our most creative call to arms to protect both the planet and the wearer.
Raeburn’s Remade ethos is further emphasized this season through the use of pioneering materials, including protective neoprene immersion suits and Royal Air Force helicopter winchman coveralls, which have been cut and reworked into women’s anorak and men’s overcoat, yet keeping their authentic graphic details and key functional elements such as waterproof zips and emergency whistles.
Collaborations were another highlight of the collection. Some of the pieces are complete with woven reflective Velcro patches developed by technology innovators Avery Dennison RBIS – a celebration of the two brands’ ongoing collaboration to develop innovative embellishment techniques and branding.
Another familiar partner, explorer footwear brand Palladium, has worked with the fashion studio to create a line of functional yet innovative shoes, some of which even include a safety kit and an emergency whistle.
AW18 also saw the introduction of a new collaboration with sustainable surf brand Finisterre, manifested through a range of directional and functional outerwear, knitwear, tees and exploration accessories, ready for immersion in the hardest of conditions.
Immersion is a powerful example that fashion design can be considered, sustainable and wearable. Just ask Raeburn.
Remade, Reused, Recycled, Raeburn.
Have a story you want to share or partner with us for an event? Get in touch at info@interlaced.co
To keep up to date with our activities and upcoming events, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or sign up to our newsletter.
