Waste not, want not

Innovating for a cleaner future, fashion designer Lily Hewes who is taking our textile waste and using it as inspiration for a new collection. Sustainability is not just a megatrend but it is a mindset.


Deadstock fabric from your local textile producer can be transformed into something neoteric. The brief was to take an existing brand from the 1960’s and relaunch a capsule collection alongside a new designer for 2030. Reviving Mary Quant’s revolutionary style from the 60’s paired with the new-up-and-coming South Korean designer Minju Kim who plays a lot with floral patterns, unique cuts and oversized silhouettes.

The color palette was inspired by retrospectively analyzing typical colors from the 60’s era, bright orange, blue, and green hues mixed with prints and patterns combined to narrate the purpose of this collection.

Taking the left-over waste, cutting out the clean areas and stitching them together to create one fabric with a technique called reverse appliqué. The aim of this collection was to raise awareness about using the resources we have around us to create and innovate new products.

The shoot location at Brunello factory itself to capture the full tangible example of circular economy. Model Giorgia Anchora transformed the 60’s mood into the clothes by creating a fun and flamboyant mood.

The quote “waste not want not” which you can see printed on the inside of the jacket, means if you don’t use too much of something, then you have some left later when you need it. Textiles should have a life after their expiry date, let’s work on creating a circular economy within the fashion industry. Let’s source our wa ste locally and innovate.

We are here to divide opinion. Let’s speak out against fast fashion.