Pre 4
So here we are, in the midst of a global pandemic and firmly in the 5th week of UK lock down.
I had hoped to have launched Collection 4 by now, however the lock down was put in to place whilst I was sourcing and finalising the fabrics for this collection. Unable to get to any suppliers or warehouses I was left in a quandary of what to do with myself and the collection.
For the last 4 weeks I have been locked down on my own in my studio frantically sewing and making use of the lengths upon lengths of cloth I’ve hoarded and stashed away for a rainy day or something special over the years. Honestly I never thought this would be a situation I would be in during my lifetime but I can’t stress enough how happy I am to have been this fanatic cloth buyer of late. Some people buy trainers or watches or other luxuries they may not particularly need but find great joy in just, having. I on the other hand….have just been buying cloth!
And whilst I sat here, staring at a pile of rolls and folded remnants, trying to decide whether to make another shirt or a pair of shorts it finally dawned on me. Up until now i’d pretty much resigned to the fact that Collection 4 was a non starter and needed to be postponed until lockdown has been lifted and the world has healed slightly. But then the realisation that, sat in and amongst my rolls of cloth, was surplus polka dot fabric from Collection 2, off white cord from Collection 3 and a previously unreleased roll of textured navy suiting mix and black jersey. More than enough to create a small capsule collection to be released and produced by myself in the interim.
And so, Pre 4 was conceived. Taking these cloths I have created a 3 piece collection, all hand made to order here in East London. Launching today, Wednesday 29th April. Taking inspiration from summer with the classic cuban collar shirt and the film “The Talented Mr Ripley” i’ve used the textured navy along with off white corduroy to create a soft and flowing summer shirt, heightened by the contrast colours of shirt vs collar. The same shirt block is then used again in the polka dot poplin to create a slightly more rigid, yet equally light cuban collar shirt. Then finally the black mid weight, two way stretch jersey has been used for a classic regular fit t shirt, with extra large chest pocket detail. As with Collection 3 - Pre 4 is available in sizes XXS to XXL and for all. Men, women, boys, girls, anyone and everyone in between and around.
There is a hope, not just with myself but many others, that the current global crisis will bring about a change in peoples shopping habits and views. Where fast fashion and heavy hype based consumerism was once forefront, I’d like to hope that the switch to a slower paced, quality over quantity driven approach to fashion and shopping is inherited.
Buy less, buy better, support your independent brands and retailers and friends and for god sake…..stay at home!! For now.
Thank you.