Sustainable fashion designs by two former students from The Northern School of Art‘s Middlesbrough campus were showcased to thousands of visitors at this year’s Festival of Thrift, the national celebration of sustainable living.
Slow fashion designers Faye Joynes, pictured below left, and Sophie Rodgers, pictured below right, were part of the the festival’s eclectic ECOuture fashion show which features collections created by up-and-coming sustainable designers. A gallery of images of some of the outfits at the event is below.
Offering “something surprising, inspirational and transferable to your own wardrobe” on the basis that “looking a million dollars doesn’t have to cost you … it’s all about how you style it and how you let your individuality shine through”, the festival’s fashion show is recognition that “vintage, second hand and upcycled clothes have long been the way that creative folks develop their sense of individual style.”
We caught up with Faye and Sophie to find out what they have planned next for their creative businesses.
Faye Joynes, who studied on The Northern School of Art’s UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, set up her Evie Joynes fashion company during lockdown in 2020 after after being furloughed (and eventually made redundant) from her fashion design job.
“The focus of Evie Joynes is creating pieces which are as comfy as they are cute,” Faye explained.
“When I set the company up, the appeal of getting dressed up was lost to me after spending months in loungewear, but I was sick of wearing plain and boring clothes – so I decided to make pieces that meet in the middle. Pretty co-ord sets (like the design pictured above) which take inspiration from corsetry and hyper-femininity, without being restrictive.”
She added: “I’m preparing to launch my AW22 styles which I’m so excited about as I’m introducing some new pieces such as maxi skirts. I also recently moved my brand out of the spare room and into a studio which has been amazing because it means I’m working alongside other small fashion businesses which is really inspiring.”
Sophie Rodgers, pictured above in her Albert Dress design featuring a train in deadstock satin, is a former A Level and UAL Foundation Diploma student from the School’s Middlesbrough campus who now runs her own north east-based fashion business.
“Following my time working in the industry, I’ve decided to establish myself as a fashion designer and work on building my own brand,” she said.
“I’ve recently moved into my own studio here in Middlesbrough and, thankfully with the contacts I’ve made in the local area, I’ve been very grateful to receive a few opportunities such as showing at Festival of Thrift.
“I’ve got some big projects planned for next year, which can be a bit daunting as a one woman brand who’s just starting out, but I wouldn’t have made it this far if I wasn’t capable, and that’s what I keep reminding myself.”
Find out more at the links below
Evie Joynes – Website: eviejoynes.com Instagram: @eviejoynesstudio
Sophie Rodgers – Website: sophierodgers.co.uk Instagram: @sophierodgersstudio
Find out more about the range of creative courses offered at our Middlesbrough campus HERE