Unique Newcastle Fashion Designers We Love

Published December, 2015

I want to share with you some really amazing fashion available in Newcastle at the moment. A lot of people don’t have a clue about upcycling and refashioning. There is so much beauty out there in fashion and with the focus more recently on ethical, eco and sustainable it fits well with our own philosophies at Raid My Wardrobe about fashion and treading gently on the earth. I’m amazed at what I have found locally and I’d love to share it with you.

Here’s a dress I wore to a recent event. I felt beautiful and unique.

I discovered this dress at the Hunt & Gather markets from Radha Label about 6 months ago. I loved it so much and the exquisite vintage lace (that was previously a tablecloth or bedspread) had been made into the most stunning dress. I knew it would suit me even though I had no where at the time to wear it. The Sista Code White Christmas Party event came up and I knew it was perfect for this occasion. I received so many compliments on the night and I felt wonderful wearing something that had taken someone so long to craft that it could now live a new life as a dress.

Here are some of the upcycled, refashioned items I have spotted around Newcastle that I just love:

Son of Lumiere – is an emerging Australian fashion label using sustainable and recycled textiles focusing on Basics for the Modern Nomad and Denim for the Modern Warrior. I just love their denim range – it is so creative, so unique and such a beautiful way to use denim.

Livingstonia – The sunglasses from these guys are the coolest thing since sliced bread. 100% handmade one-of-a-kind sunglasses crafted from recycled skateboard decks. Each pair is unique and styles feature remnants of the skateboards’ original graphics, scrapes and grinds and are fitted with UV400 polarised, scratch resistant, shock absorbing lenses. Definitely on my Christmas wish list this year!

Pea Green Sea –  make unique infinity scarves and accessories from recycled vintage silk sarees from India. Each scarf is one of a kind and made from silk that is so comfortable to wear in any season. I was so excited to learn that Susan rescues damaged and ripped sarees from they head to landfill and creates them into gorgeous scarves and accessories.

Akatonbo – quirky original jewellery handmade using a mix of upcycled vintage dominoes, vintage books, coins and vintage watch parts. This unique jewellery is so cleverly put together and makes the perfect gift. I was especially impressed by the way the use of vintage watch parts were used to create something new and beautiful.

So they are just a few of the fashion items I have found right here in Newcastle. I love how artists and designers have transformed old, damaged seamlessly useless items into beautiful unique products. Go and take a look and see what you find. If you have pieces like this come and share it on our Facebook page.

Yours in all things preloved,

Rachel Prest