Arnhem x Mother The Mountain
We're excited to present you with our latest Revive collection. This time around we were lucky enough to collaborate with the sisters behind Mother The Mountain – local Northern Rivers artists and creators living an alternative lifestyle on the land of the Arakwal and Minjungbal People of Bundjalung.
Anastasia and Julia practice regenerative agriculture and permaculture on their farm outside of Mullumbimby, while exploring the concept of regenerative fashion – something we've been dipping our toe in since 2018/19 when we launched our first Revive collection featuring pieces from our La Bohéme Collection.
Learn more about this incredible collaboration and the story behind the pieces.
Anastasia, last time we chatted on the blog you said that your dream creative project would be to collaborate with a sustainable brand using their offcuts from production to patchwork together new garments: how does it feel when dreams come true?
I feel so honoured, excited and inspired by the change that we’ve made together. Designing regeneratively from Arnhem’s offcuts brings me so much hope for the future of fashion.
Tell us about the creative journey behind this collaboration with Arnhem.
I was guided to look at design through a new light after moving home to the rainforest and living amongst nature. I began considering not only the importance of sustainability but the absolute need for a regenerative mindset in design. I realised that we need to step beyond sustainability, and create in a way that regenerates, giving back more than we take. Designing using offcuts of Arnhem’s beautiful eco fabrics was the perfect way to do this and I found endless inspiration in the process. Before I knew it I had a sketchbook full of designs and I was sewing up so many exciting samples!
Was it more time consuming than you thought?
Patchworking is always a beautifully laborious craft but designing garments that utilise patchwork in each pattern piece is like the most intense puzzle ever! It’s so complex to get your head around at first but it's so rewarding when it all comes together.
What was the collection inspired by?
My biggest source of inspiration has always been my endless obsession with op shopping. Last year, I found a collection of pieces from a deceased estate collected by a woman in the 60’s, 70s and 80’s. The pieces have so many rainbows, glitter and flamboyant sleeves - it feels like each garment speaks! Woven through these fabrics are the many stories and experiences of this anonymous woman. There are cigarette burns and sunscreen stains, shifting sizes and styles; a flowing timeline of her life. It moved me so much to think that each of these amazing garments has been treasured for over 60 years and now I’m sure that I’ll treasure them for another 60 years. These pieces and their stories made me realise that everything I design needs to be kept and loved for decades, to both contribute to and communicate the story of its wearer, and to be passed down for generations and treasured by all who wear it.
Bird, your tiny intern, has been in the studio, what have you had him working on?
Our baby goat, Bird, is definitely the best and worst tiny intern ever! His loving cuddles and fluffy ears are a constant joy but his chewing on pattern pieces and eating the house plants is a lil bit naughty. He brings a smile to everyone's face as he comes bouncing through the studio, demanding pats.
Patchwork is deeply ingrained in the history of fashion: why do you love it so much?
For me, fashion is storytelling. Anything I design, I want to honour the stories of the designer, the maker and the wearer, to stitch together these stories like patchwork blankets. I love patchwork so much because it is a collaboration between the fabric, the maker, the wearer and the designer; connecting stories through seams.
Do you feel that the resurgence of patchwork as a trend marks a change in how people think about fashion and how they choose to express themselves?
It's exciting that patchwork is resurging as a popular trend among so many brands and artisans! It definitely marks a change in the fashion industry, where under the pressure of the climate crisis, we need to find new ways to honour the materials that we already have. Patchwork was a technique born out of necessity and as we adapt to the climate crisis, I believe the resurgence of innovative techniques that challenge waste are crucial. We need to shift the way that we think about waste and patchwork is such a great start.
As an artisan, are there any new techniques that you’re looking to explore this year?
So many! I have a hundred ideas in my head that I’m so excited to explore over the year. I’m endlessly inspired by vintage, and by craftsmanship that can get forgotten in the fast paced fashion industry. Excitedly, my sister and I are launching a brand soon, full of pieces that honour slow techniques, innovative recycling and natural fibres.
What’s your advice for anyone wanting to study fashion design?
Listen and learn from everything around you! When I was dreaming of studying fashion I believed that all my knowledge would come from the uni system (and so much did), but I didn’t realise that I could learn so much from those around me. That my mum and grandmothers had techniques passed down for generations, that nature has the answers to every colour scheme, and that vintage clothes tell all the secrets to design.
And, if you were just putting it out there again - what would your next dream project be?
I’m so excited by the change that we’ve made with this collection, using offcut fabrics to create such special pieces. I’m inspired by Arnhem taking initiative in the industry; innovating, collaborating and coming together to make change. Surplus materials have always been considered to be a problem, but if we consider it regeneratively, they can be an opportunity and a solution.
My dream is to bring regenerative fashion to the mainstream. To create garments for an evolving world where waste will be considered a wonderful resource. This collection shows that it all is possible, and gives me so much hope for the future of fashion.
Could you spot the previous Arnhem prints?
Tops:
Blue/white
Carolina rose
Moroccan flora
Wisteria
Red/black
Bloom
Wisteria
Carolina rose
Green/peach
Suki
Bloom
Allure
Skirts:
Blue/white
Carolina rose
Moroccan flora
Wisteria
Red/black
Bloom
Wisteria
Carolina rose
Green/peach
Suki
Bloom
Allure
Bags:
Blue/white
Carolina rose
Moroccan flora
Wisteria
Red/black
Bloom
Wisteria
Carolina rose
Green/peach
Suki
Bloom
Allure
