From Somewhere: They waste it, we want it

Ever wondered what happens to those odd bits of scrap material and cut-offs leftover from clothing production? Well, usually it gets disposed of in the bin and then ends up in landfills or within an incinerator, one of the most polluting processes for waste dispose. But, enter From Somewhere, a project where the fashion collection is entirely made-up of unwanted and discarded materials, still beautiful and perfectly reusable and recyclable.

High quality reclaimed textiles such as cashmere, cotton, silk, jersey, tweeds and woven fabrics make for a seasonal collection that is inspirational, fashion forward and stunning to look at. In an environment where fashion itself is just as disposable as the materials it is cut from, From Somewhere is seemingly a ‘green’ fashion label, a label acting as an ambassador within an industry where ethics is secondary to looking good. But who said you can’t have both?

With a National Bronze Green Apple Award for Commerce and Industry and a shortlist for the UK Fashion Export Best Ethical Label, From Somewhere has just released a preview of their Spring/Summer 2012 range, a collection of eclectic creations in soft whimsical materials with clear references to the urban sport and print-on-print trends seen all over the designer catwalks for the upcoming season. Producing a show-stopping range like this, From Somewhere shows that being ethical can be very fashionable indeed.

I particularly love the collaboration with leisure brand Speedo, which shows an uncompromising balance between a contemporary approach to fashion and ethical solutions. What better way to influence the state of the environment than through investing in some timeless and fashion forward items? ‘Waste not, want not’ springs to mind.

 Mel Jeffery

See the collections and learn more about From Somewhere click here.