Ives got inspired by an hour train from his city (Bedford) to the London city, which feels like a farm country. (Vogue, July 19). Ives shot his first six-piece collection of upcycled clothes and jewelry. He photographed around the parents house and yard- there wasn’t anything calculated about it. After he posted their were many comments and responses to the post.(Vogue, July 19).
Having first made waves on the fashion scene for dressing model Adwoa Aboah at last year’s Met Gala, 21-year old Conner Ives is now turning even more heads with his latest collaboration. Pairing up last year with celebrated London boutique, Browns, Ives created a range of patchwork cotton dresses made from reconstituted fabrics in a bid to show that old garments can be repurposed for wear in a trendy manner. Browns launched Ives’ collection on their website in January 2018. (Luxury Society, February, 18)
Ives’ creations make a statement in rejecting the fashion industry’s habit of over-producing. In fact, an article by High Snobiety (which analysed a publication critiquing the fashion industry’s environmental practices by the Boston Consulting Group and the Global Fashion Agenda) noted that apparel consumption is projected to rise by 63% to 102 million tons in 2030.
Emerging millennial designers like Ives are leading the ethical push towards conscious consumption within the luxury industry. Hopefully, Browns’ initiative to take on Conner Ives’ creations will inspire the luxury brands it houses to follow suit.
- Camille Lake, Luxury society, February 28, 2018. How Luxury Brands are Practicing Sustainability in Creative Ways. https://www.luxurysociety.com/en/articles/2018/02/how-luxury-brands-are-practicing-sustainability-creative-ways/
- Sarah Mower, Vogue, July 29, 2019. Conner Ives- Central Saint Martins Student and Fenty “Intern”- Is Now Selling His Upcycled Clothes. https://www.vogue.com/article/conner-ives-central-saint-martins-collection
