Becky Brooks, the unanimous winner for the 2016 Repurposing Project event, was kind enough to let us delve in and ask a few questions surrounding her feelings towards fashion, what inspires her as an artist, and tell us a little about her experience working towards her victory! Becky is an incredible seamstress who works as a local alterations specialist for her own company, Sew-N-Fix Alterations. She is also the designer behind her own brand, Thread Becky, which debuted its first collection last fall!
Repurposing Project (RP) What your favorite part of the design process?
Becky Brooks (BB) I really love every part of the design process. I enjoy the math and geometry of creating garments. Each part of making a garment from start to finish lights up a different area of my brain. I think where I am least strong is sketching my design. I can usually see the picture of what I want to do in my mind, so getting it down on paper seems redundant and wasteful.
(RP) Where are you now? Can you describe the environment that surrounds you as you are answering these questions?
(BB) I just took a bath and I am watching a documentary on globalism and poverty.
(RP) How did you get started sewing & designing?
(BB) I have been sewing since I was a child. I used to hand sew my own dolls and doll clothing. I have only started making clothing for humans in the last year or so. Most of my experience is with alterations. I worked at a bridal shop for a while and learned a lot about sewing and business there.
(RP) What are your design & Artistic inspirations?
(BB) I am inspired a lot by geometry, angles and structure. I get inspired by the details in a garment and the process of how it got made just as much as the final product.
(RP) What do you think about the production of fashion in China today? Will other designers be inspired to get into sustainable production in the short term, or do you think China has to go through the same cycle as western countries have in the 20th century?
(BB) There is so much about the fashion industry I hate. I hate fast fashion. I don't think the problem is the manufacturing jobs being in China. I think the real problem is that corporations are always thinking about their bottom line. I also think that people consume too much. I don't think that it is much better to excuse overconsumption because something is eco friendly.
(RP) Who would you like to see wearing your clothes? Do you have any style icons?
(BB) I am not really interested in people wearing my clothing, unless it is a well made, plain, custom piece that will last a long time. I am really into the idea of uniforms and I would rather just have several copies of the same thing that I can wear every day. Most of the stuff I want to create is one of a kind and more of a statement piece. I like to make something for a photo-shoot or maybe a costume, rather than an everyday item.
(RP) Would you share any of your favorite sustainable tips?
(BB) Stop buying shit you don't need. Buy second hand. Make things. Fix things. Go dumpster diving.
(RP) How do you feel events such as the Repurposing Project help to highlight sustainable fashion and its many possibilities?
(BB) Maybe it will make people feel empowered to learn how to sew.
(RP) Describe your experience working with the Repurposing Project last year.
(BB) It was a lot of anxiety, then everything coming together in the last hours. It was cool seeing what everyone made.
(RP) What is your favorite part of being involved in the local fashion scene?
(BB) It is nice to have like minded people to bounce ideas off of and to be inspired by.
Photographer: VINTAGE LIGHTS Model: RUTH MEHARI Jewelry: REBECCA HOLT Hair & Makeup: MADDIE MANSELL Designer: BECKY BROOKS