Christopher Ræburn is the designer known for the development of the REMADE ethos, and his 'clear vision of clothes that protect man and the planet', as recognised by Suzy Menkes. Informing his practise and guiding his creative studio, the REMADE ethos focuses on the triad of reuse, reduce and recycle, seeking to create in a more responsible and conscious way.
This ideology is echoed in the history of his industrial studio in Hackney, which has a undergone a series of conversions, ensuring the building remains relevant to new purposes. Sustainability has only recently appeared as an industry wide concern, recently heading to the forefront of established designers minds. Christopher has been recognising this need in the industry since the inception of this eponymous brand in 2001, and seen as one of the original pioneers of the movement.
We caught up with the designer as he judged the FatFace Graphic T-Shirt Competition, to hear more about how he incorporates environmental responsibility into his work, what he'll be looking for at GFW18 this June, and what appealed to him about the winning design!
Firstly, what made you want to be involved with Graduate Fashion Week?
It's now over 15 years since I graduated and as a business owner myself, it is really important that we promote and encourage and ultimately inspire graduates coming into the industry. So, I would like to think that I can bring hopefully bring some of the learning’s of 10 years in business to recent graduates and that is why I wanted to be involved.
You’re known for championing sustainability and having an ethical ethos in terms of where you are sourcing your materials, recycling and so on. How would you like to see that approach implemented in the collections of students?
It is really exciting for me that in the last 20 years I have seen such a change in the industry and there is so much more consideration around responsible design, and so much interest from the younger generation. I think we all know now the responsibility we have in the way we are consuming, but also as a designer, it is your responsibility, the way you design, the sourcing and the choices that you actually make. I am really excited now that there are so many fantastic creatives that are coming into the industry that already have this mind-set, that can ultimately really make a difference.
Recently, you judged the at FatFace Graphic T-Shirt Competition. What attracted you to the designer you chose?
I chose the final design today because of the balance of the really good research and mood board and ultimately then the final image that I thought was a really good reflection and understanding of FatFace. What the customer here is looking for, but then because it brought together the sprit of adventure and my love of animals. It merged all these elements together in a very clever way; it seemed very considered, thorough.
What will you be looking for at GFW18, this June?
For me, when I think about my own business and design team as well, I am looking for graduates that actually have a really good understanding and balance, not just of creativity but also commercial mind-set, because actually the world that we live in today is very challenging on a business level. I think it is really important that graduates coming through now are really rounded in the way they are looking at their own futures essentially. That is certainly what I look for in portfolios and will be really excited to see in June.
Make sure to get your tickets to see the future of fashion at Graduate Fashion Week 2018, from 3rd-6th June in The Truman Brewery, Shoreditch. Tickets are available, from £8,
Words by Annabel Waterhouse-Biggins
Photography by Stefan Jakubowski