Collection Process

Collection Process|Sourcing Clothing

The vintage pieces will be carefully selected by Retold, with Retold’s subscribers having the opportunity to send in any vintage garments which they no longer wear or need upcycling, to be used in the collection.

This increases the sense of community and helps to involve consumers in the journey of the collaboration, as well as helping to restore vintage garments to their former glory, giving them a new lease of life. This will also attract a wider demographic of customers, as this scheme will allow consumers to receive a small payment for the garment they provide to be upcycled.

Consumers will be made aware of this scheme through a subscribers email, Instagram and website content. Images of potential garments would be sent in for Clare from Retold to review, to ensure the garments used are in line with Retold’s aesthetic, and what the customers are expecting. Those whose garments are selected will be heavily involved in the curation process, and their stories will be documented in the collection’s lookbook, which will be available to view online using a subscriber password, as well as printed physically for the press box and attendees of the consumer launch event. There will also be printed copies at Retold’s studio, for customers to browse through during appointments.

Involving consumers will help to spread awareness of the collection launch, as those involved will be sharing the promotional materials and posts o social media, expanding interest and encouraging others to become involved.

Collection Process|Sourcing Fabric

Offset Warehouse, on Layer’s team of specialist advisers, will assist in sourcing the deadstock fabric to upcycle the vintage garments.

Offset Warehouse is a social business that brings together a huge range of sustainable fabrics and haberdashery, catering to a wide range of textile needs including fashion and interiors. Fabrics are hand picked by a Master designer and they offer a range of quantities from one metre to larger wholesale quantities. Deadstock fabric comes in limitied quantities, so this must be considered when selecting an appropriate fabric to ensure there is sufficient fabric for the collection.

It’s important for Retold’s customers that the fabric is of a good quality, as customers will purchase them knowing they will be durable and long-lasting, making them a sustainable purchase which won’t be worn once. Colour and pattern will also be taken into consideration when selecting a deadstock fabric to ensure it suits Retold’s aesthetic that it is so well known for, as well as ensuring it is vintage fabric to reflect the brand.

Collection Process|Upcycling Process

The garments will be upcycled with the assistance of Bethany Williams, who is a sustainable fashion designer, humanitarian and artist. She has created long-standing partnerships with local grassroots organisations including The Magpie Project, and she is enabling a network of creative hubs to grow. She uses a range of waste materials to create unique pieces, including book waste and reclaimed fabric. She also works as a consultant for Kering and Layer, providing expertise on sustainable fashion design.

Design updates will be provided to create anticipation for the launch, and Bethany Williams will also provide updates and promote the collection on her social channels, which will help to expand Retold’s audience.