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Since the beginning of my sustainable fashion journey in 2018, a couple of designers have stuck out to me. Not only for resonating with my ever-evolving values aligned with environmental justice, but for translating these values into tangible craft of wearable masterpieces. If you're a sustainable fashion advocate, then RÆBURN is definitely worth having on your radar, so allow me to introduce RÆBURN and it's talented founder and Creative Director, Christopher Raeburn...
Who is RÆBURN?
Christopher Raeburn graduated from London’s prestigious Royal College of Art in 2006, before going on to work as a freelance pattern cutter for a handful of London fashion houses. In 2008, however, focusing his energy on the launch of his own brand RÆBURN, to passionately pursue creating ethical menswear; womenswear, luggage and accessories.
The ‘re-appropriation of military fabrics, in particular for iconic outerwear’s created from decommissioned parachutes’, quickly became synonymous with the brands identity, as RÆBURN began to establish itself as a key player of innovative sustainable practices and mould-breaking aesthetic in sustainable clothing. RÆBURN's first collection, ‘Inverted', was a capsule collection of reversible garments which debuted at London Fashion week. Today RÆBURN now has an extensive portfolio of collaborations under his belt where ‘distinctive aesthetic, meticulous detail, considered functionality, and sustainable intelligence’ has been channelled to challenge public perceptions of what eco-fashion should look like. Through a mastery of up-cycling, recycling and innovative sustainable techniques, every decision the brand makes is underpinned by its 4 R’s; RÆMADE, RÆDUCED, RÆCYCLED, RÆBURN.
Christopher Raeburn shares his enthuse for eco-fashion with the community via the Hackney, London, based RÆBURN Lab, where ‘attendees are invited to design and customise their own items using off-cuts from the atelier’. A clear vision for providing customers with sustainable fashion, designed with integrity, purpose, functionality, with a unique creative stamp, make RÆBURN one of the most exciting brands amongst the circular fashion movement.
As such, I’m humbled to have had the chance to ask Christopher Raeburn about his passion for the industry, his intuitive fashion creations and vision for the brands future...
The Interview
How do you think RÆBURN aligns with the circular fashion economy?
Ever since our inception in 2009, we’ve done three things; RÆMADE, RÆDUCED and RÆCYCLED. The RÆMADE ethos in particular has pioneered the reworking of deadstock and surplus fabrics and garments to create innovative, functional pieces. Alongside this, the RÆDUCED and RÆCYCLED product lines strive to further eliminate waste and minimise our impact. More recently, we launched a new pillar to the brand titled RÆFOUND; a non-seasonal range of original, unworn military apparel and accessories. It really stands as a systemic solution to the mounting environmental and inventory crisis, with nothing new and nothing wasted. Altogether it’s an ever-evolving brief to push ourselves and the industry forward, and to truly close the loop.
For SS21, you announced that you would “not produce anything new”. As you noted yourself, that’s a radical move for a designer. How do you hope people will respond to ‘RÆBURN RÆJEUVINATE’, which looks to challenge consumer infatuation with newness?
We need to make less, but better. SS21 RÆJEUVINATE will encourage people to think differently; what can be upgraded, evolved or improved. We see this as one part of a potential solution, and hopefully an inspiring one for other businesses and individuals.
Who do you think holds greatest capacity for igniting change within the fashion industry, brands or consumers?
I think we’re at a really exciting time where both the push and pull is increasingly evident. You’ve got enough customers and people in the community saying they expect more, holding brands accountable for their actions and questioning relentlessly. Businesses have no choice but to take note of this, and it's inspired new ways of thinking all the way down the supply chain. Ultimately, you need both brands and individuals to fuel the change, and it’s these interconnected movements that are bringing me hope.
RÆBURN offers tours and workshops which enable people to experience the brand. Fashion experiences can help develop community and sentimental attachment to clothing. How has Covid-19 altered the way people get to experience RÆBURN and your designs?
Despite the physical distancing we experienced during the height of the pandemic, we actually became more connected than ever before through digital. Our team tested and experimented rapidly, ramping up our community engagement via projects like ‘Raeburn At Home’ and the ‘RÆBURN Connects’ series, which we then also optimised for London Fashion Week Men’s back in June. Overall, it’s really democratised and elevated Craft, Creativity and Community whilst allowing us to amplify our message globally.
What impact do you envision RÆBURN having on the fashion world?
Ultimately, we’ve always tried to do things differently; we want to change the world through responsible design. We see our work as a provocation for others to learn from, to educate and inspire. And whilst we’ll continue to pioneer in our own way, we firmly believe this is not all about us as a brand – it’s about a whole movement. We all need to work together to make that difference and make a real positive change.
Instagram: @christopher.raeburn @raeburn_design @raeburn_lab
Facebook: @RaeburnDesign
Website: http://www.raeburndesign.co.uk
Image Credit: Heiko Prigge
Christopher Raeburn in a Digi-Discussion with Annabel Lindsay.
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