JEN BYRNE

Upcycled slow fashion. Future heirlooms, born from the past

Jen Byrne is an award-winning slow fashion designer renowned for curating heirloom fabrics into modern, wearable garments that highlight the beauty of reclaimed textiles. With a Master’s degree in sustainable fashion, Jen employs a design process that is deeply rooted in sustainability and ethics, guiding every decision with impeccable quality and attention to detail — a hallmark confirmed by enthusiastic feedback from both new and returning customers.

This collection seamlessly integrates thrifted vintage fabrics with textile waste from the luxury apparel and upholstery industries, blending the old with the new. Featuring modern, trans-seasonal designs, the collection includes vintage blankets, curtain fabrics, and premium remnants such as wool tweed, suiting, and upholstery velvet. Each piece reflects Jen’s commitment to creating exceptional, one-of-a-kind fashion that celebrates both heritage and quality, while redefining luxury through a steadfast dedication to sustainable practices.

Crafted entirely in Jen’s Edinburgh studio, no part of a cherished textile goes to waste. Offcuts are repurposed into unique accessories, appliqué designs, or hand-stamped labels. The entire process—from design and pattern drafting to prototyping, fitting, grading, sewing, packing, and shipping—is managed in-house. This ensures complete oversight and upholds the brand’s core values of true sustainability and ethical practices at every stage.

Jen’s limited-edition pieces epitomize the evolving landscape of a craft rooted in second-hand and waste textiles. Additionally, regular workshops in sewing, upcycling, and pattern drafting offer an opportunity to learn directly from Jen, acquiring valuable skills in clothing repair, upcycling, and garment creation.

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ALISON CURR

Idiosyncratic knitwear. Scottish design treasure

Alison Curr has been delighting her devoted customers with her unique and always profoundly creative knitwear collections since the late 1970s. Whether it is knitted, crocheted, embroidered or appliquéd, each garment is stamped with her signature hallmark which guarantees every client something unique to themselves and their wardrobe.

With an unerring ability to embrace the winds of fashion’s changing trends and seasons every Alison design exists first for comfort and style. Her approach to pattern and colour will always come direct from a particular moment in time – an image she has seen, a song she has heard, a snippet of conversation picked up unexpectedly which has led to a new direction in her thinking.

Alison’s work is about style rather than fashion-dictated. The new collections reflect Alison’s idiosyncratic approach to the world around her which has established her as a Scottish design treasure!

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SEVERINE FOUCHE

La Belle Epoque-inspired collection where the see-through meets the cutwork

“I am a French designer, dressmaker and hand-embroiderer based in Edinburgh. Sewing and embroidery are my passion and I like to add to my work a touch of originality. With a 13-year experience of making various garments and accessories, I aim at creating quality, made-to-measure garments. I am also a hand embroiderer with a special preference for Tambour hooks and goldwork embroidery which are very technical.

Needle Bow is my accessories and sustainable garment brand. As a brand designer I make bespoke garments, accessories and embellishments using different embroidery techniques. I use upcycled materials where possible. My style is colourful and fun. I make versatile and reversible garments as a good way to get different combinations with the outfit and also make it more sustainable.

How did I become a sustainable fashion designer? A few years ago, I decided to stop supporting the fast fashion trend that delivers poor-quality clothing in large quantities. I now always create my own clothing with my style by mixing fabrics and colours, sometimes upcycling material. I also love playing with textures and finding a way to sublimate garments, including embroidery in some places. For me this makes the garment more precious.

My current collection is, as we say in French, where the transparent meets the ajourage or in other words, where the see-through meets cutwork. It is inspired by La Belle Epoque style, glass architecture, while playing between different textures of fabric and creating decoration. This new collection combines the see-through fabric with the cut-out fabric. I also use second-hand fabric, dollies, up-cycling garments and embellishments.”

Séverine Fouché

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GERRY GAPINSKI

One-off, mixed-media wearable street art

Gerry Gapinski is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer based in Edinburgh. He works out of his studio gallery at 30 St Marys Street in the city’s Old Town, and is known for painting large-scale interior canvases and murals. For the last three years, he has been applying the techniques he uses for his artwork, onto upcycled and vintage clothing, creating one-off, mixed-media wearable street art. 

Gerry has carved a unique niche in the world of sustainable fashion by transforming upcycled and vintage clothing into bold, expressive wearable art. Deeply committed to sustainability, Gerry champions an eco-conscious ethos, blending artistic innovation with environmental responsibility. Each piece in his collection tells a story, offering a fusion of street art, popular culture, and musical influences that spans from the rebellious spirit of punk rock to the vibrant colours and patterns of the psychedelic 60s.

Gerry’s work is inspired by the raw, energetic aesthetic of street art, drawing from graffiti, stencil work, and urban textures. His designs are a vivid reflection of the disruptive creativity of art movements like Dada and Surrealism, while also paying homage to the bold iconography and vivid colour palettes of Pop Art. His work is a blend of these artistic influences with the DIY attitude and anarchic style of mid-1970s fashion, channeling the punk ethos made famous by Vivienne Westwood and bands like The Clash. Gerry’s clothing line reflects this eclectic mix, embodying a rebellious, yet playful edge.

Music is also central to Gerry’s creative process. From the raw energy of punk rock to the dreamy soundscapes of the psychedelic 1960s, Gerry’s designs have garnered a dedicated following among those who seek to express their identity through fashion and music, that is as meaningful as it is visually striking.

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ALISON HARM

Vengefully Changed Allegiance Part 2: a collection of history-inspired garments using both pre- and post- consumer fashion waste

Established in 1992 and situated in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Psychomoda is a fashion design studio and shop, which exclusively showcases the work of in-store designer Alison Harm – the founder of ReFashion Edinburgh. Alison has over 45 years of experience in creating clothing for all occasions, including sustainable garments made from remnants and antique cloth, vintage and recycled jewellery, as well as knitwear.

Soon after training in the 1980s to enter the burgeoning fast fashion industry, Alison realised the worrying effects on the workforce in underdeveloped nations and the unsafe conditions they were forced to endure. Fortunately, a counter-movement has arisen in which ReFashion Edinburgh now plays its part. Every year ReFashion Edinburgh becomes a vehicle for designers hand-picked by Alison, to present their original sustainable garments and highlight their creativity to the public while raising awareness of sustainability in fashion and encouraging them to make sustainable choices within their work. Every year, ReFashion Edinburgh selects a national charity that receives the proceeds from the event for its journey to sustainability and the circular economy – Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland (2024), Nairn’s Green Hive (2023) and The Edinburgh Remakery (2022).

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CLAIRE PATTISON

Typical Girls Collection: inspired by the the inventive, riotous passion and fury of women’s art and activism in the 1970/80s

“I’m an Edinburgh-based designer with a passion for making bold, textured and playful designs. Reusing and repurposing is at the heart of everything I create. I work solely with pre-used fabrics and found objects and love the tactile and random nature of this process.

I’ve always been excited by the gathering of disparate items and playing around to see how they can be manipulated into new and interesting shapes. By working in this way I’ve found I’m as interested in the journey of creating clothes as I am in the finished results. 

It’s important that I work to themes that are meaningful to me. While my last collection was inspired by gathering women’s views on the menopause, for this collection I’ve been hugely inspired by a recent celebratory exhibition on women’s art and activism in the 1970s and 1980s – by the inventive, riotous passion and fury that drove women’s creative work during this time and the relevance that these artistic acts of activism still have on women’s place in society today.*

I’m proud to be part of the Refashion Edinburgh show, organised by the indomitable Alison Harm of Psychomoda and excited to give my support to Traditional Dance Forum Scotland. Their commitment to inclusion and diversity across a wide range of dance traditions is extremely inspiring. 

This show is a wonderful opportunity to play with my ideas and show my designs however, it’s just as important to be part of a collective platform that underlines how beautiful and inventive ethical clothing can be.”

 Claire Pattison

* Women in Revolt, Art and Activism in the UK, 1970-1990, National Galleries of Scotland in collaboration with Tate Britain 

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CARINA ROSE

Echoes of the Rebellion Collection

“My collection Echoes of the Rebellion draws deeply from the Jacobite Rebellion – a pivotal moment in Scottish history. As an independent Scottish fashion brand from Doune, we at Carina Rose Designs honour our heritage by revisiting the past to inspire designs that resonate with today’s world. 

Our designs celebrate Scotland’s rich history, particularly the Jacobite Rebellion, with a focus on the symbolic Jacobite rose. This motif is intricately woven throughout the collection, serving as a storytelling device that ties each piece to the narrative of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice. By blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, we bring the past into the present, creating timeless pieces that speak to both heritage and innovation.

Inspired by the Jacobite cause, our colour palette features:

Rich Reds: Symbolizing the blood of the martyrs and the passion of the cause.

Deep Greens: Representing the Jacobite rose, a secret symbol of loyalty.

Deep Blues: Signifying steadfastness and loyalty to the cause.

Touches of White and Silver: Evoking purity, hope and the noble aspirations of the Jacobite movement.

Although inspired by the 18th-century fashion that characterized the Jacobite era, the collection features modern interpretations of historical silhouettes. Every garment in Echoes of the Rebellion tells a story. Subtle details, like the hidden Jacobite rose embroidery or the use of tartan sashes, pay homage to the secret symbols and codes of the rebellion. Each piece connects the wearer to a moment in history, blending the past with the present to forge a path for the future.

By emphasizing our brand’s roots in Scottish heritage and your commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship, this collection will resonate with those who appreciate fashion with a story and a conscience. This narrative not only highlights the historical inspiration but also underlines our brand’s identity as a modern, ethically driven designer.”

Carina Rose

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FAWNS REID

Felt offcuts of traditional hats steamed into fantastical shapes

“Fabhatrix is a successful hat shop based in Edinburgh’s Old Town since 2002. We stock both men and women’s hats in a variety of sizes and styles. We offer friendly advice to novice hat wearers. While serious hat wearers can find something unique for their collection. Our regular returning customers come from far and wide.

Fawns Reid makes most of the women’s hats in the workshop in our shop basement. She can adapt and personalise hats on the spot. By adding a flourish or two to the hat makes the whole outfit extra special!

We specialise in upcycling vintage fabrics which adds considerably to their character. Upcycling old interesting old fabrics is something we have always done but interest has never more, than now. People are interested in the story behind the hat. Our men’s caps have established quite a following. We are proud to use salvaged Scottish Harris tweed in our designs and love using quirky vintage buttons & other finds to trim them. Over the years we have made some outstanding bespoke hats, featuring in International fashion shows.

The hats we have made for this collection are designed to highlight off-cut waste from our blocked felt hats. We make fantastic bespoke pieces fashioned from stretched and steamed felt. We see our material waste as a resource that inspires our creativity. It features the thick felt offcuts of our more traditional hats steamed into fantastical whimsical shapes, as well as the ever-popular tweed upcycling.”

Fawns Reid

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RITA SZENTIVANSZKI

The Little Blue Dress Collection

Rita Szentivanszki founded the Edinburgh-based label Rita Blu Studio in 2022. Her desire is to create a slower, more considered wardrobe. As a recent Textiles and Costume Design graduate, Rita has learned a lot about good design. She now aims to put together her ultimate capsule and share it with everyone who loves the colour blue.

Her key material is reclaimed jeans chosen for their durability and timeless appeal. The size limitation of this pre-loved material forces Rita to think creatively. She seeks to design a patchworked capsule collection you can enjoy wearing every day. Her line focuses on basic silhouettes you can combine with your existing wardrobe. 

After the arrival of her first child, Rita took some time off. She is now back to show you her signature little blue dress and how you can style it in different ways. It is a versatile piece that matches a simple crewneck or a puffy-sleeve blouse. Some pre-loved accessories will complement these outfits to give you even more ideas. Come along and she will show you how.

The little blue dress is the first of more designs to come but as we all know good things take time. Rita makes these investment pieces to order so they’ll be ready whenever you’re ready for yours. She plans to keep a small stock of her designs in her future online store. 

Featured model Zsofia Fajka

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