Fascinating Faustine x
Tucked away in the wilds of East London is a Studio with a difference. It’s where Faustine Steinmetz works her magic spinning, dying and weaving her own fabrics, up-cycling old textiles and turning the ordinary into the curiously exotic.
Her work isn’t about re-defining the silhouette into dramatic statements, instead she wants her clothes to have a grounded reference point. Each piece is chosen from the iconic element of our wardrobes – the pieces you reach for without thinking. It’s then the re-construction that gets taken to a whole new level.
Choices are made – like the denim will be made from mohair – and from that point, everything is handmade and hand dyed, right down to familiar red tabs and labels which are hand woven on looms in the studio.
These jeans were tapestried by hand to create the illusion of aged denim using hundreds and thousands of tiny stitches. The process took ten people 3 months to complete.
The idea behind this jacket was to create something that looked as if it had spent years floating in the sea.
(All pictures by Sanna Helena Berger)
Her concept is as far away from fast fashion as you can get, but it also challenges the thought processes of luxury brands. Many of the pieces she chooses as her inspiration, like the 501 levi jeans, were originally designed for labourers – made out of necessity rather than for beauty for the ordinary person on the street. But for Faustine luxury is not a glittering ball gown made from rare pleated silks and worn once, ‘luxury’ means somebody spending the time and talent to create something unique using pride and passion to create with integrity and heart.
Laters, Kate x
Wow. My kinda girl! Beautiful xx
She has a twist I’ve never seen before xxx
This one really interests me! Such a fascinating thought process behind these beautiful items!
It does remind me of your vintage towels..thought, time and effort put into something others would consider ordinary.. xxx
Reblogged this on Andrea Designs Blog and commented:
Handmade by Faustine Steinmetz …..
Fascinating! I re-blog your post.
Thank you!! xxx
THIS is truly LUXE indeed. Inspiring xxx
I value what she regards as luxury..time has to be the most precious thing on earth.. xxx
Oh, yes yes YES!! Time is the freedom of everything xxx
I adore Faustine Steinmetz’s uniquely wonderful take on luxury by revisiting casual items : pure genius ! xxxxx
It’s so interesting her rejection of the traditional trappings of luxury..really makes one think xxx
I love this. The idea of luxury updated for our times: hand-made with care.
It’s going right back to the times when hand made was the only way and was appreciated as such xxx
Genius and so inspiring! Would die for the vest.
I agree..the faux sheepskin living is wonderful! xxx
Wow! How fabulous !
She is an amazing lady – she didn’t know how to loom so she taught herself with You Tube tutorials. How cool?! xxx
Wow! Hahaha good on her tho!
I absolutely adored the textures! Amazing work! 🙂
morethanlabels.co.uk
It’s very very clever, and I thoroughly appreciate the variety of textures for each piece.. xxx
This is not fashion, this is art. I love it.
A beautiful mind. I would frame those jeans in a beautiful antique frame in my hallway to honor her craftsmanship. I just couldn’t imagine treating those jeans the way I treat jeans-I was painting at the weekend, splattered a lovely eggshell all down the leg of my JBrands that I treated myself to for Christmas!. But I would wear that vest and jacket everywhere!
JBrands? Painting? NO NO NOOOOOOOOO! I have it..you were re-designing them Pollock style! Phew.. my heart is at peace again. I think………. xxx
Pollack, YES! Not ill-thought through but very calculated! 🙂
It’s true..it does make one questions what is Fashion, what is Art..to be admired and appreciated xxx
Reblogged this on My Danish Fashion Passion.
Thank you! xxx
This is amazing! How often do we come across beautiful artists who redefine design? Deep bow!