Bonnie Fechter reimagines the social framework of fashion and the definition of a designer. In doing so, they create a series of collectable pieces. After a successful first collaboration, we got together with the founders to hear more about their backgrounds, and all else that’s to come for the promising young company.
04 November, 2016
With collaboration at it's core, the new conceptual project Bonnie Fechter does away with fashion protocol. It rids itself of restrictive labels such as genders and seasons and instead revolves around the results of creative partnerships. Each collection produced reflects a rare quality of thoughtfulness that emerges from the contrast and fusion of ideas and aesthetics.
In its first collection, Bonnie Fechter pairs with Studio C&C, a south London art and design studio to present True Grafters, a capsule collection of unisex basics. Studio C&C brings its background in graphics to the table while the designers at Bonnie Fechter focus on producing locally sourced, timeless looks, unsusceptible to the short lifespan of trends.
True Grafters merges these separate entities seamlessly. The result is a collection of oversized, boxy shapes with meticulously executed details that place a subtle emphasis on craft. Contrasting seams, raw edges, grainy textures, and simple graphics elevate the pieces and help accomplish the designers' goals of opposing fast-fashion.
Bonnie Fechter reimagines the social framework of fashion and the definition of a designer. In doing so, they create a series of collectable pieces. After a successful first collaboration, we got together with the founders to hear more about their backgrounds, their partnership with Studio C&C and all else that's to come for the promising young company.
Bonnie Fechter
Sarah and Rosie
London
We're a unisex and season-less brand that believes in slow fashion and collaboration.
At our studio in south London, riding around town on our bikes, or eating dumplings at Silk Road.
Anyone fun and adventurous.
We both wear men's clothing as much as women's, so we wanted to draw on our similarities rather than our differences. People should be able to wear anything they want to without feeling limited. Bonnie Fechter offers clothing without the restrictions of a label.
We do everything we can out of our London studio, from the design process to fabric sourcing, cutting and sampling. Anything that we can't do here we find somewhere we can as locally as possible.
Taking back responsibility for the clothes we make was really important to us. We wanted to be able to work with people face to face rather than always over the phone or email. It allows you to be more creative and free in the way you work. We follow each piece from start to finish so we know the footprint it leaves behind, and we get to know the people that we work with very well. Clothing is so personal and we wanted to make the process that way too.
It's hard to ignore the added costs of keeping things local, especially production. However, one of the biggest difficulties has been trying to slow things down. In an industry that is so fast paced, setting up meetings face to face is often harder than sending an email as everyone is so busy.
We wanted to be free to work with people who aren't dictated by the seasonal calendar, therefore choosing to work by project. There are now so many seasons to buy into that people think this marks the longevity of a piece of clothing. Things shouldn't go out of fashion as quickly as you are made to believe they do; fashion should be an individual's opinion.
We will aim to work on two projects a year, but it could be more or less depending on who we find to work with and the opportunities that are out there. We just started working on our next project with a London based fine artist that is going to offer something completely different to what we've done before. Alongside the collaborations there will always be a core offering of products. There will be essential pieces to rely on, but that we will develop and add to over time.
We are both country people at heart and need to be reacquainted with nature every now and then to keep a clear mind. Growing up on a farm you are not overpowered with constant imagery the way you are in a city. It allows you to form more of your own opinions of what you think is beautiful - clothing or not.
The landscape and slower pace of life are constant sources of inspiration. It's so important to remain true to your own opinion. You have to have a voice in what you do, otherwise you will get lost in a world that is already saturated.
Collaborative, relaxed and tactile.
It's a recognition of all the people we know who work so hard to be able to do what they want to do. You can't get anywhere far without grafting.
True Grafters was inspired by the landscape we grew up on in Scotland and the people we spend our days with in London. The contrast of lifestyles offered something inspiring.
They are close friends and have been so supportive of Bonnie Fechter from the beginning. We always wanted to work on a project together, even before launching the brand, so it made sense to start out with them.
They focus on collaboration as a studio and always come up with new solutions and original responses to the briefs they work on. They had never worked with fabric before so that in itself was a great starting point. The graphics that they created went through so many processes before they hit the cloth you have no idea! Their attention to detail is amazing.
We're already working on our next collab with a great London based fine artist and muse. It's an exciting mix and a completely new starting point.
The defining features of the brand will always remain the same, but, as with any label, each collection will come alive in different ways. The artist in a sense dictates the change of the aesthetic - just as a season would.
Don't be afraid to bend the rules or break tradition… Go with your gut and don't be swayed by other people's opinions if it is not true to your own.
