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Learning the inherently creative mind is a must-see, a
fascinating glimpse into how some of the most wonderful characters see their
ideas come to life. At Ape to Gentleman, we spoke to one of these men, the
famous London designer Christopher Raeburn.
It's been a year since you moved into your REMADE Studio in
Hackney. How are you ?
Very good, thank you, it has been an exciting year. The move to
REMADE Studio was a real catalyst for the company. The studio is located in a
fantastic area of East London with a history of
textile and clothing manufacturing.
What prompted the move to this space, which is part of the old
Burberry factory if I'm not mistaken?
We named our new studio the REMADE studio because it previously
housed the Burberry textile factory where Shackleton's exhibits were located.
It was like an incredible opportunity to breathe new life into this space.
The REMADE studio is also much more open than our previous
studio in Bow, allowing the workshop, archives, showroom and offices to be in
one open space. Beyond that, it allows us to host community open houses and
workshops as part of our ongoing initiatives to engage with our audience and
give something back to the community.
The studio is a colorful center of creative energy and seems to
capture the Christopher Raeburn story from the point of view of the day. Was
that the goal?
Absolutely. I want the studio to become a creative and community
center. It is very important that people become familiar with the brand once
they enter the space, which is why the files are displayed on the main wall. It
is also a question of transparency.
Many fashion designers have a reputation for working behind
closed doors. It's important to me to be honest with our audience and to give
people the opportunity to enter our world.
You made a name for yourself by revitalizing old military
clothing, does this process still seem to be of great importance to the
products you create today?
Absolutely. I started using recycled materials from the beginning. I built some original British combat vests from the 1950s as part of my college freshman menswear project in 2001. For me, a lot of this has to do with archeology, going out and finding things. Original objects in warehouses or on the Internet, and turn them into something new.
Could you explain to us in detail the reason for opening the
doors of the workshops for your monthly animal workshops?
Our Animal Waste Workshops are a series of monthly workshops in
which participants are invited to create their own animal by choosing their own
fabric combinations using remnants from the workshop. We started with the bunny
for Easter and since then we have done it with the turtle, the owl and the
shark.
This series of workshops is part of our broader initiatives to
open the REMADE studio, engage our audience creatively, and give something back
to the community.
Who helps them? Is it literally for everyone or do you need a
little sewing knowledge beforehand?
It was fascinating to see the mix of people present. In addition
to designers and young creatives, our regular customers include a 10-year-old
girl and a couple of scientists. Basic knowledge of household sewing machines
is a must, but we have had inexperienced people who always manage to finish
their creation.
Why the obsession with animals?
Ha, good question, when I think about it, maybe it makes a lot
of sense; I grew up almost 100 acres of forest (the home of Winnie the Pooh and
his friends) and to be honest, if I wasn't in the fashion industry, I always
liked the idea of being a wildlife
photographer. I think we have an responsibility to take care of our furry (or
scaly) friends ...
You obviously have a very creative mind, sometimes you go too
fast and end up juggling too much.
It's so easy to move quickly and get lost while juggling various
projects. When I was in college, I was advised not to try to do everything at
the same time. If you start with a clear message, you can grow from there.
Tell us about parachutes and inflatable lifeboats.
We
have researched and reworked a wide range of ma