Learning to Mend

I've a new addiction.

Last year my 92 year old Grandmother, knowing my love for clothes, gave me two beautiful classic Salvatore Ferragamo cardigans that she had loved wearing but no longer wanted. When I got them home, I found they were very badly eaten by moths, which she hadn't realised. Unsure of what to do, but unable to part with the cardigans, I washed them and put them away in the depths of my sewing box. A couple of weeks ago I came across the trend for 'visible mending' (essentially darning with bright yarn) and was instantly hooked. My love of second hand clothing means I have many things that have been worn to... literal bits. Still very much learning - but it is a deeply satisfying way to revive clothes, adding a bit of individuality to them. For anyone interested in learning more, 'Mend! A Refashioning Manual and Manifesto' by Kate Sekules is a great book I've enjoyed reading. And I am greatly inspired by Celia Pym, an artist who keeps embroidery and sewing at the heart of her practice.

Rejuvenate Old Clothes

A top tip for breathing life in to old clothes. I recently bought a faded vintage Laura Ashley dress, in a colour I wasn't so keen on but loved the style. Laura Ashley can be pricey second hand so I jumped at the chance to get my hands on this dress and won it for £12.50. It barely got through the letterbox before I started its transformation

From light blue... to black. Actually, it's more like navy. Who knew there are various shades of black to chose from?! I love it and will wear it tons in the months to come, feeling VERY smug that I'm wearing a real one off piece.

You can buy Dylon fabric dye from most hardware shops.

A good tip before dying is to check the fabric content. 100% cotton will dye well, but things made from manmade fibres tend not to take the colour so well. Things like stitches and zips may stay their original colour as a result. Make sure you wash dyed pieces on their own for the first couple of washes too.

Frills

Outfit details - wearing Molly Goddard and vintage Burberry blazer to Molly's SS20 show

Second Hand

Last year I started an ongoing personal project - creating editorials while working exclusively with second hand clothing. Here is one of my favourite looks from an early shoot - modelled by the lovely Elise and shot by Andre Skjegstad.

Lunch at the Wheel

One last Pasty and an assault on some Cornish Charity shops before heading back to London after Christmas - quite literally filled a suitcase of treasure.