Julia Roebuck is the creator of Upcycle Fashion – which works to communicate sustainability through design and education. She has kindly agreed to talk to me about her inspiration and her upcycling projects.
I have to say, it is such a great site and I love your gallery of the projects you have worked on, especially the Green Print Dress and Blue Scraps Summer Dress.
These projects are so inspiring and makes me want to reach for my sewing machine and have a go!
o It is clear to see you are extremely passionate about sustainable fashion. What has been your inspiration for upcycling and upcycle fashion?
For as long as I can remember I have been interested in the clothes people gave to charity shops or threw away. When I was about 12 I started asking my friends for their unwanted clothing and I would practice sewing these together by hand along with fabric remnants I bought from the market with my pocket money. I carried this on throughout my teenage years, insisting on making lots of my own clothes (and even my high school prom dress!). I moved to London to go to university and continued to make clothing. It was only when I modelled a Junky Styling outfit for the Crafts Council Exhibition Well Fashioned, curated by Becky Early, in 2005 that I realised the environmental benefits of my hobby! I began to research environmental issues and found fashion to be one of the most damaging global industries. Not long after this I read cradle-cradle – the term ‘upcycle’ was born, and I was hooked!
o What has been your favourite project to work on and why?
I enjoy all the projects I work on, but my favourite projects always involve working with others, or passing on my skills to teach others to mend or upcycle their own clothing. Teaching simple hand sewing techniques enables someone to pursue their own upcycling fashion project, rather than just thinking about it. Working with others to inspire creativity is something that I love the most. Encouraging people to see past clothing in one form is essential to me, because with the vast quantity of high street clothing available UK today I think we have lost an understanding and connection to our clothing. Working to adapt your clothing to your own unique preference is, to me, the only way fashion can truly express an individual sense of style and creativity.
o What upcycle fashion projects are you working on now or have got in the pipeline?
I am currently working on creating upcycled fashion/art pieces for an exhibition at an Awards event in May. This includes creating pieces from donated materials such as packaging, or creating garments to address a sustainability issue or concept (such as waste or pollution). Next month I will work with REWARDROBE on a fashion upcycling project. They help people to declutter and revamp their wardrobes, and as a result there are often a few garments that will be removed! I will work to upcycle one or two of these for an exhibition.
o In your opinion, what is the most difficult material to work with and to upcycle?
In terms of material for wearable clothing, the most difficult material to upcycle is one that from the start doesn’t look great. I always say that I will find a way to upcycle any garment (as long as the permanent staining/damage isn’t too severe!) but working with a print design or a textile that is unattractive from the start is difficult. I often end up dying these garments if the print is really awful! Although I don’t like to dye anything unless it is completely necessary!
o Have you got any top tips for anyone that is keen to upcycle their own clothes?
Start simple. Most people can be easily put off if their creative vision doesn’t translate into reality. It is too easy to embark on a complex project but half way through realise it isn’t going to work, then you are just left with a cut up garment that will be even more difficult to salvage (and often ends up in the bin…not good!). Start by mending a garment or making trousers into shorts. The more you work with garments the more you will understand the construction and then understand how you can adapt and modify the shapes used in staple items such as shirts, trousers, and t-shirts. Cutting the sleeves off t-shirts is also a good one. Always try to be as neat and perfectionist as you can – invest in good quality fabric scissors – they make all the difference.
o Have you got any events coming up?
The awards ceremony for the upcycled fashion/art exhibition pieces will be at an industry awards event in May and I am running the upcycle fashion workshop at the London Green Fair in June – fingers crossed for sunshine and it would be great to see you there!
Thank you very much for taking time to talk to the Upcycle Collective!
Check out Upcycle Fashion for more information and inspiration!
