From Father to Daughter
Last month, I worked on my first customised upcycle project. This brief came to me through Jan, a sublime coach who helped me take my first steps as an independent. The project: revive a vintage Burberry jacket for his beloved daughter Zoë.
When Jan and I met up to discuss the project, I came to know about the memories this jacket holds. For starters, Jan has been wearing this high quality piece of clothing for over 30 years. In 1994, he bought the garment to go with his new job as a financial consultant. Like me, Jan lives in Belgium, so obviously he needed something to protect his office suit against the rain. What better way to protect him from this gloomy weather than by wearing a real Burberry jacket?
Jan made the effort to drive to a special store at 25 km’s away from the city of his hometown Antwerp. He arrived there during the sales and this dark grey beauty caught his eye. What I really appreciate about this, is the fact that Jan went for something other than the standard beige Burberry raincoat. Just like the identity of C.C.M.E.: we love to show our unique self and choose to walk a path slightly off-grid.
For years and years, Jan took care of his jacket and protected it whenever needed. For years and years, the jacket took care of Jan and protected him whenever needed. With every step they took together, a new story was woven into existence. Through thick and thin, they had each other's back. Until one day, Jan’s daughter Zoë fell in love with the jacket too. And that is why Jan came to me.
He told me that Zoë is a big fan of clothes with a story. That she loves finding thrift treasures, unique pieces that deserve a second life. Hearing this, it felt right that she, indirectly, would become the first real recipient of the first real C.C.M.E. project.
After discussing the design with Jan to understand all the needs and desires for this heirloom piece, I took the jacket in hand. I carefully listened to the jacket where it needed some extra love so Zoë could wear this garment for another 30 years. For this jacket to last a lifetime, I needed a fabric that is durable and sustainable: denim. At first I wanted to integrate a pair denim jeans. Cut them up and stitch pieces of it to the jacket. But Jan requested to add colour to the silhouette so I had to look further.
For a few years now, I’ve been collecting fabrics and fabric scraps. While going through my boxes, I found the perfect match for the Burberry jacket: a deep burgundy denim. The texture of the denim and of the jacket seemed to be quite similar. The colours matched each other and I felt a spark of joy . Before I made the changes to the jacket permanent, I checked in with Jan. He loved it as much as I did. And just like that, it was done.
I tend to strive for alignment in the things I do and in my life. Looking back at this project, it’s no surprise that we needed to add the color of love to re-vive this piece. How beautiful is it that, by doing this, we saved a jacket from ending up in the fashion trash pile? That we found a new way to show our loved ones that we care for them? And that we did it in a unique and creative way? I can only hope to receive more briefs like this and help others to be creative, unique and loving in their own way.
With love,
Numi
