The FARA Workshop

Longer ago than I care to remember, I swung by The FARA Workshop in Angel to have a chat with creative director Anna Crawley. An innovative extension of the charity shop chain, the workshop, which has been open for almost a year, transforms the unwanted and the unsellable second hand clothes donated to FARA and gives them a completely new lease of life.

The workshop space acts as shop come creative studio with all the action taking place within the same four walls; customers browse the clothes at one end whilst the team produce them at the other. 

Rather than just repairing or modifying, which involves changing sleeves, collars or updating the outdated cut of donated garments, the sheer amount of fabric being donated allowed Anna, head-designer Grace and the 5-strong production team were able to flex their creative muscles a little further and start their own line for FARA not too long after opening. Taking most things that came through the door, be it tablecloths, curtains or off-cuts, as well as bits and pieces from the really unworkable clothes that came in, and upcycling/reconstructing them into totally original designs. New pieces are steadily added and although trends are considered, the general aim is to produce clothes that are trans-seasonal and long-lasting. 

The workshop also encourage customers to take on a more creative role in the consumer process through a commissioning system; if you want something in a slightly different material, cut or size, speak to one of the team or leave your comments in the book on the desk! 

For anyone who like me, finds a needle and thready completely daunting, it's a pretty ideal situation. If you do fancy crossing that final creative hurdle, one to one and group sewing classes are available. You are encouraged to bring in your own garments to re-work and the team will teach you the skill, as well as provide a creative insight into the various ways you can update your clothes. Group sessions start at £38, whilst individual sessions start at £60. All profit goes toward the FARA foundation, a registered charity which remains the workshop’s number one priority.

All in all, a pretty faultless and incredibly sustainable system! Most importantly, The FARA Workshop are doing what I love, which is creating closer ties with our clothes. The team are out to inspire and educate the consumer, getting them to think not only about where and how their clothes are made, but how to extend the life of the garment by recognising the creative potential for longevity.

With many thanks to Anna Crawley.

Wool Week

My second and final blog post for Outsider features their staple black woollen polo neck and conveniently ties in with the Campaign for Wool’s ‘Wool Week 2014’, which looks to champion the sustainability and desirability of wool. Various British retailers are getting involved and are offering discounts here and there so now’s the time to stock up on those winter knits! 

Incidentally, this particular woollen number is made from renewable and biodegradable Merino wool knitted jersey. See the full post over on the Outsider blog.

Jumper: Outsider 

Dress: Zara (Old) 

Boots: H&M  

Whilst this post was created in collaboration with Outsider, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Organic September

This month the Soil Association are running their ‘Organic September’ initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of organic. When you hear organic, it’s generally fruit and veg that springs to mind but organic cotton is steadily becoming more prevalent in the fashion industry too. Used by Stella McCartney, Zara of all people, and H&M, who frequently top the list as the world’s biggest user of organic cotton. Organic production involves the use of natural pesticides and as well as being good for the environment, has proven to provide more jobs and through reducing exposure to harsh chemicals, better health and general quality of life for farmers.

I was asked by the lovely Noorin to do a guest post for the Outsider blog featuring one of her lovely organic cotton shirt dresses, which are beautifully soft and so easy to wear. To find out more about Outsider read my interview with Noorin here, and click here to see the full blog post over on the Outsider blog.

Wearing:

Vintage bag

Vintage dress layered over Outsider Shirt Dress

Birkenstocks

[Self] Conscious

I bought these trousers back in April from the 2014 H&M Conscious Collection. They almost slipped through my fingers due to technical difficulties on the website but after taking to Twitter to vent my anger, H&M quickly got in touch and managed to put a pair aside for me. Made from recycled polyester, the material is really silky (read clingy) so they feel like quite a statement piece to me, especially as they tend to cry out for a crop top, something that sits firmly outside of my comfort zone, holidays being the exception.

A Week in France

                                 Bias Camisole – Organic by John Patrick

Shirt Dress - Outsider

Despite having reached the grand old age of 22, last week I unashamedly tagged along on the annual family holiday, which this year was in the beautiful town of Gordes in the south of France.

Most of the week was spent poolside and firmly horizontal but we did squeeze in a few visits to neighbouring towns, generally on market days to browse the abundance of beautiful wares on offer. France is unbeatable when it comes to old, abandoned charm and I harbour a definite penchant for the decrepit doors, peeling paint and mismatch pastel colours of the houses and shutters, particularly in the icy blue variety.

Always one to over pack, I spent a large proportion of the week wearing the black Outsider dress pictured. Made from organic cotton, it’s a beautiful twist on the classic shirt dress and so versatile, perfect for slipping on over a bikini at lunch or with a little rouge for dinner. I lived in my Birkenstocks, having conveniently forgotten to pack another pair of shoes. Luckily they're turning out to be the most comfortable things I've ever had on my feet. Another favourite new addition was a navy camisole from Organic by John Patrick, made from cupro, a biodegradable and certified cotton material. The fit is perfect and the slightly crumpled appearance perfect for squeezing into a suitcase.

Stella + Alf

If ever there was a brand out to prove it’s quality that counts and not quantity, it's the beautifully British Stella + Alf. Designed by founder and creative director Paris Hodson, the main bi-annual collection features striped dresses, woollies and delicate vests. Simple, staple pieces, impossible not to like too when they come in my favourite muted palette of grey, white and black.

Their fabrics, (cottons, linens and silks) are sourced from all over the world, some fairtrade, some organic but all are of an exceptionally high quality. Locality is also considered important and British fabrics are used where possible, meaning many pieces on the site are actually British-made from start to finish.

Yes admittedly it’s quite expensive, but what you’re buying into is a new, (or old, depending how you look at it) approach to consuming. As someone with a strong tendency for nostalgia, I love the way that Stella + Alf hark back to a time and a generation where clothes weren't just for show, but were precious necessities that were lived in, loved, repaired and passed down. Their production process embodies this sense of considered intimacy; every piece from The Collection is hand-cut and individually made on request by the tiny team of 2 (Paris and seamstress Elaine), in their Lincolnshire studio.

They've recently introduced a project that takes ‘organic’ to a whole new level. The Twenty is a progressive, more affordable collection that sees new pieces released every two weeks, of which only twenty are made. The designs are not necessarily planned in advance but, influenced by customer response, adapt with the growing collection. With The Twenty especially, Stella + Alf are bridging the gap between designer and customer, and also between our clothes and us. They want to restore a connection through pieces that are timeless, personal and individual. And it's true, saving up for something, no matter how much it is, creates value and a sense of worth.

Their message is simply: love your clothes as much as we love making them.