Prophetik, autumn/winter 2011-12, drawn by Andy Bumpus
It was Jeff Garner’s grandmother who gave him the materials to produce the autumn/winter 2011-12 collection for his sustainable label, Prophetik.
Lola’s – aka Grandma Garner – 150-year-old quilts were recycled into beautiful padded jackets, dresses and skirts which had as much of Louis XIV’s court about them as they did Little House on the Prairie. As well as courageously slashing and stitching his family heirlooms, Garner used naturally discarded ostrich feathers and sustainable materials like organic cotton velour and cactus silk (made from the agave plant), in the collection which was whimsically named Artist’s Wonderland.
Perfect for an eco-conscious starlet’s wedding or a trip down the red carpet was the Snowy Mountain dress, in white silk and organic velour with a patchwork panel. Tennessee man Garner made sure there was plenty of Southern soul in the collection, using a palette of vivid jewel shades – a nipped-in emerald green jacket, a Pre-Raphaelite-style scarlet felt frock coat, rich red embroidery standing out on a homespun natural cotton linen background.
There was plenty of pomp and circumstance in red, white and navy militaristic pieces sporting reclaimed gold brocade and antique buttons, but this was balanced by a gentle, homespun feel with frayed, ragged edges and natural fabrics. A romantic, pioneering spirit suffused each outfit.
With Prophetik, Jeff Garner combines a dandyish, rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic with a robust sustainable philosophy, never compromising his ethical principals or his style credentials. That’s why everyone from the Kings of Leon to Taylor Swift wears his designs – maybe their shared Southern roots strike a chord too.
SEE PROPHETIK’S AUTUMN/WINTER 2011-12 COLLECTION
Illustrations by Andy Bumpus
Report by Phoebe Frangoul
To see the original article visit The Green Style Blog