Fashion gets trashed!

Sara Li-Chou Han's Trashed Couture range - designs available at Resurrection, Bold Street

Fashion has just got ethical thanks to the innovative designs of a John Moores graduate.

Designer Sara Li-Chou Han has just launched her range of recycled clothing, Trashed Couture, on to the high street of Liverpool.

Despite an impressive repertoire relatively early in her career – she cites Topshop, Liverpool.com and FaB magazine amongst her styling experience – this is the first time one of her collections will be readily available to shoppers.

Sara hopes that eco friendly clothing will be something that the city’s residents are going to embrace in the Year of the Environment and beyond.

“As we all strive to reverse the damage done by mankind, it’s really important that we consider alternatives to the fast fashion of recent years,” she said.

“In this country, every year we throw away more than one million
tonnes of under £10 garments; we need to start buying garments
that are made from recycled materials and garments that are
made to last.”

The clothing range, which is made mainly from denim, has gone
on sale in Resurrection on Bold Street and is entirely sourced,
designed and made in Liverpool, ensuring a carbon neutral output.

“The range is made up of quality, locally made garments that will
last more than a few seasons and weather even the most
outrageous trends,” added Sara.

With styles such as denim hot pants and miniskirts costing from
as little as £15 and £20, Sara is hoping that the fashion-conscious
can feel good about their style, ethics and bank balance, while
updating their summer wardrobe essentials.

Sara said: “Ethical Fashion isn’t all about over-priced knitted
bamboo jumpers and vegan wellies! It can be cool, stylish
and affordable.”

Classing her mother, a 1960s beauty queen, air hostess and model, as her biggest style influence, it is clear that Sara’s work is more than a fashion fad. With work that pays homage to some of the most iconic names in fashion history, from 80s Vivienne Westwood and classic Christian Dior, to contemporary collections by Giles Deacon and Comme des Garcons, such a diverse blend of inspirations makes for designs that are both fresh and unique.

Owner of Resurrection, Lisa Pritchard said: “I really like having a unique product like Trashed Couture in the store; it’s selling really well so far and definitely holding its own as a brand.”

Following in the footsteps of the recent clothes swapping and personalising trends, Trashed Couture’s services also include reworking vintage garments and old clothes that you don’t want to throw out, but haven’t worn for years.

Sara says of the service: “Many of us have beautiful, high-quality garments that have fallen to the back of the wardrobe because the style and cut just isn’t up to date. Instead of hiding them in a drawer let Trashed Couture rework them into new and stylish pieces that will instantly bring your wardrobe up to date.”