MINNIE: Curated, curious fashion

Saturday, 29 November 2014 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minnie is a vivacious new brand that offers a curated range of fashion, from clothing, jewellery and handbags to really anything in between. Deeandra Bulner’s designs are bold, one-of-a-kind and are sure to make a statement. Combining contemporary techniques with traditional forms of art and fashion and whatever else comes to mind, Deeandra’s unique pieces have been nothing short of a hot favourite since she launched her Facebook page a few weeks ago. Minnie is 99% homemade and handmade, and draws from Deeandra’s love for design and sustainable fashion. She also focuses heavily on sourcing local fabrics, incorporating local crafts and using unusual materials into her designs. Following are excerpts of an interview with Deeandra:

Why ethical fashion?

Well, right now, I attempt to be as resourceful and sustainable with my products as possible. While it might not be a 100% ethical, I make a conscious effort to do so – I use recycled paper and old newspapers for my packaging and other material that I can up-cycle as well. There is hardly any use of machinery and certain production techniques are sourced locally. It’s a completely positive design experience when it’s ethical. Nothing is compromised on when there’s fair trade and sustainable design.

Where do you source your materials from?

They differ from one to the other and keep changing because my products will never stay the same. I have to keep looking for new material to work with all the time. While today I might opt for yarn, tomorrow there is a good chance I might use some light bulbs. Today I’ll turn out a bunch of t-shirts, and tomorrow I will probably make some soap. I am constantly searching for things online and in tiny little shops you would hardly expect to find anything of use. I generally do all-nighters on my research on what I can use and where to get them from. It’s a never-ending search and there really isn’t one place I can get everything I need. I like it though; it keeps things interesting. I’ve had friends who would give me a bag of things they’d want to get rid of, and I’ve always managed to whip something up with it.

Where would you say your designs draw inspiration from?

Unfortunately, I’m not easily inspired. I can’t look at something and be drawn into another realm and let it influence my mind’s eye or my design decisions. I think my designs come more from a love that I have for all forms and genres of design and art. It could be anything, from the work of a photographer, to a potter, a poet, a shoemaker or even a dancer. I fall in love with the originality of certain things and the ability to create. I think that, that’s how I get inspired.

Top five trends for 2015 that you plan to include in your new pieces?

I try really hard to not pay too much attention to latest trends and forecasts on what’s in and what’s not. I don’t like basing what I make according to a certain season. I do like trends and style and respect that there’s a discipline to it; however, I try not to get too caught up with it. This comes from the fear of limiting myself to creating only what’s considered trendy. I’d rather go with what I feel is best according to the materials I have. So I can’t really predict what trend I may or may not include into my new pieces.

How receptive do you think Sri Lanka will be to ethical fashion trends?

I think we are getting very ethical when it comes to fashion and textiles. There is certainly a sense of a more socially-conscious society when it comes to clothing. People are latching on to it and the idea of simplicity and fair trade have now become a trend – and that certainly is a good trend to follow. One can only hope that it will be consistent. I think the more we are all exposed to it, the more receptive people will be. It’s been marketed pretty well and seems to be promising for both customer and designer. People like to know how things are made, what they are made of, who makes them, whether they received fair wages for it – this outlook is certainly encouraging for the future of ethical fashion and design in Sri Lanka.