Meet Studio Courtenay – the eco-conscious fashion brand helping us shop sustainably, without sacrificing our love of style

What’s Studio Courtenay all about?

Studio Courtenay is all about playful but conscious fashion. ‘Sustainable’ doesn’t have to mean beige hemp!

What is ‘slow fashion’?

The best way to describe slow fashion is to look at what it’s pushing back against. Slow fashion espouses a different philosophy, making process and approach to marketing than fast fashion. Fast fashion emphasises high turnaround and low quality, with often inhumane conditions for garment workers. It relies on star power to shift products and creates a sense of alienation if you aren’t ‘on-trend’, adding to the urgency of always accumulating more. Slow fashion is more about investing in pieces you will wear repeatedly, treasure, appreciate and wear for your own sake, rather than for your social media following.

How would you describe the overall style of Studio Courtenay?

We’re still finding our feet in terms of an aesthetic. For me, colour and print are central to what I want to do. We made the decision earlier this year to be bold and lean into all the playful things we want to do, rather than shying away from them. So, expect a lot of kitsch prints and patchwork coming your way!

How would you say Studio Courtenay breaks the stereotypes of ethical shopping?

I think we try and shy away from a serious tone and preaching (we know our followers are already the converted!), and instead focus on showing people that ethical clothing can be bright and maximalist. I’m also a real collector myself, so I would never reproach someone for wanting variety or a lot of clothing and accessories, I would simply encourage them to think about buying those pieces second-hand rather than forgoing them altogether

You only use deadstock fabrics to make your products. Where do you source these from?

We source them from other businesses, or manufacturers who end up with these rolls of fabric that crowd up their warehouse space. We also sometimes get smaller pieces of fabric from markets, auctions or private sales. I learned through my studies that the biggest contributing factor to pollution in the fashion industry is actually the production of raw materials (that includes the growing of cotton, the dying of fabrics and the power involved in weaving), so it made sense to try and avoid these when putting together our own range. I grew up in a home where buying second-hand was the norm, so it felt logical to me to try and use what was already out there, rather than adding to the pile of products.

How does vintage fashion inspire you?

Vintage has always inspired me because it was a lot more experimental than what we have now. The prints were bolder, more tongue-in-cheek and elaborate. Design details like buttons were opportunities for further fashion statements and everything was made to last. The fabrics, lining and tailoring are second to none. Vintage also takes inspiration from historical fashion and re-imagines it – they celebrated borrowing from other times and cultures, rather than shying away from it.

What are your top three Studio Courtenay pieces right now?

Our Good Dog Shirt is one of my favourite prints out there. I also love the iridescent, uranium green fabric of our Faith Slip Skirt. And finally, I’m a sucker for a Zoom-friendly statement top!