Junky Styling
• Recycled Women’s wear and Men’s wear• Transforming reclaimed garments into chic, elegant, sought after stylish designs
• Off the peg and made to measure
• All garments made in house
• Recycling and reusing is the ethos of the whole business
• Based in London
The business
Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager founded Junky Styling in 1997. After extensive travels as skint teenagers, Anni and Kerry observed the prevalence of recycling in other cities such as San Francisco and Tokyo and the resourcefulness of people in Vietnam and Thailand and on returning to London were inspired to recycle clothes for themselves.
They started by taking old men’s suits (bought from second hand shops) and turning them into experimental pinstripe and tweed creations to wear to London Clubs in the early 90's - they were quickly commissioned to make outfits for friends which lead to a stall in Kensington Market. Junky soon outgrew the market stall and acquired a boutique just off East London's Brick Lane and this remains their hub to this day.
Sourcing/manufacture
The shop houses the industrial design studio, where customers are invited to bring their old worn out clothes for 'Wardrobe Surgery' - this involves the customers in the redesigning/recycling process.
Everything produced by Junky is recycled from the best quality second hand clothing, deconstructed, re-cut and completely transformed into a new product that belies the former identity of the raw material. All garments are made in-house or carefully outsourced locally.
The talented Junky team - Anni, Kerry, David and Eric - design and construct the garments while Kurt, Coco and Lo take care of the shop-floor and deal with customers...All are self-taught.
Product/market
Junky offer off-the-peg, original designs, a made to order premium service and a wardrobe surgery. They also collaborate on projects with other designers.
Junky hopes to inspire all their customers to look at their discarded clothes and general waste items with fresh eyes and a resourceful frame of mind. Junky doesn't conform to fashion trends because they want to promote timeless original designs. They also offer a repair service to customers, which has in some cases helped garments last more than 5 years of extensive wear.
Since launching the wholesale collection, shown in Paris and London, they have secured stockists nationally and internationally – their clothes can be found in Tokyo, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Athens, and Stockholm to name but a few international accounts. In the UK, Junky are stocked in Lulie B in Brighton, Palette in London and Boudoir Boutique in Liverpool among many other stores. Their work can also be seen touring the UK with the 'Well Fashioned' exhibition by the Crafts Council.
Sustainability
Everything by Junky is recycled and promotes ethical consumerism.
There is very little environmental pollution in Junky’s production process, as no transportation is involved in either the sourcing of fabrics, or the manufacture of garments.
Recycled stationery and goods are used in and around the Junky shop and as much waste as possible from the shop is recycled.
What next?
More international stockists are on the cards as Junky take their wholesale range to ‘So Ethic’ at Pret A Porter Paris and ‘Esthetica’ at the stands of London Fashion Week this coming season. Another of the regular Junky off-schedule London Fashion Week shows is planned for September at the Truman Brewery. There are books by Junky Styling due out next year, and a multitude of other media opportunities on the backburner.
Over the coming months, some very exciting collaborations are planned with high profile designers in various areas of the industry.
In terms of sustainability, Junky believes that their methods of business and production can be rolled out on a larger scale, so have many plans afoot to keep the Junky vibe alive and spreading!
For more information visit the Junky styling website.
Check out Junky Styling in our gallery.
