RAW: Up and Coming Designers
By Jo Phillips
Pushing the realms of fashion as a young designer is something that is somewhat difficult to do without big bucks behind you and ‘friends in high places’. But that isn’t stopping four fresh and emerging designers from doing so by relying on pure talent and hard work alone, making a mark in the industry using an organic approach.
By Jody Shafton is an ethical label that sources and produces clothing in Accra, Ghana. The seamstresses earn a fair wage and work in safe and healthy conditions while incorporating their cultural touch to the prints using African-inspired designs.
The matching crop top and shorts sets for the Gold Coast SS ’14 collection are pieces you could imagine Beyonce and Solange rocking at some Club Tropicana type destination whilst sipping cocktails (sans Jay Z of course, elevator scene and all that). With the affordable price tag of £50 per set and summer around the corner, the flawless look is possible to achieve even if you just parade it down the local park rather than a beach in the Caribbean.
The brain behind the brand is based in London and winner of the prestigious ‘One to Watch’ graduate award chosen by Louise Gray; she’s one to keep an eye on.
Melbourne-born Caripis is an Australian designer who only recently moved back to her suburban hometown after living in East London for a good few years (with hopes to return). Having worked for eco clothing company, Goodone and being involved in showcasing her designs at Fairly Fashionable tradeshow, she is dedicated to using sustainable fabrics.
Using reclaimed fabrics she’s created a summer collection that is perfect for festival season. Flimsy and bright, cropped singlets and bustiers made from vintage drapes means standing out amongst the generic uniform of festival-goers in rock band t-shirts or ‘boho’ bandeaus.
Hall hails from Brighton and studied Silversmithing and Jewellery Design at Sir John Cass School of Art. A jewellery maker who is a member of the Dialogue Collective, a collaborative group of artists, she has been successful in showcasing her highly unique handmade jewellery at tradeshows across Europe. Having participated in Made, London and her most recent exhibition at Galerie Hell in Munich, her innovative use of plastic and metals being moulded into distinctive jewellery has been recognised by media including Art Jewelry Forum.
Also a graduate of Sir John Cass School of Art, Anabelle creates mostly delicate gold, silver and stone jewellery as well as illustrations. Her various collections such as; ‘Oriental Embodiments’, ‘Helios’ and ‘Illumina’ are based on spirituality and medieval beliefs. She’s exhibited at Britain’s finest jewellery fair, Treasure and has over three online stores stocking her designs.
Breaking through the industry of design is tough, but this is exactly what this quartet of women are slowly doing, using raw materials, raw skill and vision.
