It’s about deconstructing and reworking
> UK designer Christopher Raeburn transforms the unexpected
parachute I made eight garments... And things have just grown step by step from there,” he said.
Raeburn has numerous sources for his materials, including foreign imports, hunting through military surplus, as well as other channels which are kept as closely-guarded secrets.
“I get asked a lot, you’re not worried that things are going to run out?” he said, commenting it is “scary” just how much excess material is available.
SURVIVAL RAFT
His most recent collection, presented at London Fashion Week in January, used protective immersion suits to create men’s and women’s coats.
“(There are) hundred of thousands of these items that have never been used,” said the designer, explaining the suits are often thrown away after a certain period of time to abide by health and safety rules.
Raeburn also bought a raft, cutting it up to make coats, jackets and bags.
“You pull on the rope and then the whole thing expands and inside it had everything you would need to survive on the open ocean for one month for 25 people,” he said.
The designer’s ability to rework such an array of materials is attributed to his childhood “in the middle of nowhere” in south-east England, close to the wood which inspired the “Winnie-the-Pooh” books.
Raeburn and his two older brothers were encouraged to draw things which their father would help them build at the weekend.
“That’s an amazing way to bring up kids because we ended up designing everything from tree houses to robots,” he said.
While the urban London fashion house is far from the designer’s countryside childhood home, he has certainly brought his young imagination.
His environmental conscience has also made its mark on the studio, with the use of green energy and his decision to cycle to work.
“I don’t see myself as an activist but I do see myself as a pragmatic entrepreneur,” he said.
Despite the obstacles to Raeburn’s business model – trying to source unusual materials while working in a hugely competitive sector – he is determined to continue making it a success.
“Every day is a challenge... but then that’s the exciting thing, who wants a boring life?” – AFP Relaxnews