STUDIO MINTI: MAKING PRELOVED CLOTHING PRECIOUS
Thrifting, second hand sourcing, vintage voyeurism, pre-loved passion projects, outfit repeating and lovingly reworking bits that have regained their sparkle is exactly my kind of jam. With that in mind, I was so excited to collaborate with Studio Minti, an online platform located in Dublin and London that not only resells gorgeous secondhand clothing but also champions sustainability, ethical consumption and environmental responsibility.
I absolutely adore their approach to sustainable fashion, there is something so refreshing about their message; always delivering great quality clothes but in a fun and authentic way. Their social media is also exciting and stands out from other clothing companies who are trying to push fast fashion, they talk honestly and encourage their audience to see clothing in a whole new way from reworked suits and skirts to jackets made from old scuba wear. You’ll also see the founder Laura speaking on various platforms about her love for sustainable clothing and the brand’s ethos. It’s absolutely clear to see that Studio Minti has a big beating heart for loving pre-owned clothes ‘till the very last thread.
And that’s something which is incredibly important to me; as someone who loves fashion but loathes its cost to those who make it and the planet we call home. Also, being a long time fighter for fairer fashion, campaigner for the awareness of gender inequality and violence within the industry and an advocate for repeating and re-loving our own wardrobes, it brings me such joy to see a business like Studio Minti promoting these practices and pushing themselves to do better whenever possible. With anawareness of fast fashion growing, it’s clear that pre-loved clothing is here to stay and there is so much we can and should do with it. Instead of walking into a store and picking up a skirt, I was able to source one from a small business and give old threads a new lease of life. Every item of clothing has a story to tell, and I love marvelling at where my garment may have been before it met me and started our sweet love affair.
Inspired by all of their content, and excited to shop my wardrobe with new eyes, I wanted to grace Galway’s West End in a look made entirely from second hand finds. When my surprise item from Studio Minti arrived in the post I challenged myself to style it with a combination of bits I’d never really worn together from my own wardrobe. I adore my Minti skirt so much (I’m wearing it as I type this) and it makes me beam every time I put it on. A couple of years ago I moved house and accidentally gave up my favourite long denim skirt in the process, I’ve longed for one since so this beaut is now set to be a staple in my wardrobe for good.
With the skirt on, I browsed through and tried my best not to reach for something I always go for, this wasn’t a day for safe bets – I was on a mission to make something new and challenge myself. Cue this rockabilly inspired look featuring one of my best friends’ treasured hand-me down Motorhead gig shirts, another friend’s secondhand leopard print dress and some really cool pre-loved white boots, with one of my greatest charity shop finds; a warm winter coat in the perfect ‘just right’ Goldilocks fit. These items are all favourites individually, but up until now I had never thrown them together.
I’m so thankful for the opportunity to look at my clothing with a different perspective and Studio Minti been a massive motivator in that process. As an avid promoter of repeated outfits and rewearing items I am going to show you many more ways to wear clothes, and in particular my Minti find over the next while on social media. I’ve already managed to style it on my last post with a marvellous message, wear it with an unusual thrifted high neck jumper when I promoted my This Is Galway feature and dress it up with some fishnets.
I’m excited to see just how many more ways this beloved skirt can be repeated. Over the next while, I encourage you to find something pre-loved for yourself and do the same with all the bits you’d forgotten about so you can make your wardrobe feel magic, precious and everlasting.
P A P E R M A C H E M I N D
A BIG thank you to Studio Minti for partnering on this post with me and for all the ways in which they make the world a fashionable and sustainable place to live. To browse Studio Minti’s collections click right here – and to keep up to date with the latest clothing launches and news you can follow them on Instagram.
MNÁ Hairclip is from small Irish business DRIPPIE DESIGNS
Photography | Julia Monard
