R E G E N E R A T I N G T H E R E E F , 2 0 1 8
Regenerating the Reef represents Deborah’s first Couture Collection since relaunching in 2016 and is inspired by the plight of the coral reefs.
The monochromatic sculptural aspects of dead coral gradually give way to the technicolour movement of living coral, a hymn to the dynamism of life in comparison to the Rigor mortis of death. The collection highlights Deborah’s continued commitment to sustainability through its use of natural dyes, sustainable materials, fair trade and skilled artisans. In contrast to the first collection (Ecoture™) which looked at what was possible and then designed within those constraints, this collection started from a set of designs and then looked at how best we could achieve these using a sustainable approach. Some aspects are not 100 % sustainable but we tried to make the best choices within our current knowledge.
10% of Sales are to be donated to The Meso American Reef leadership Fund based in Mexico, which trains people in the protection of the coral reefs. The Meso American Reef is the second largest coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier reef.
H O K U S A I W A V E D R E S S
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Idrija lace and mesh netting.
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The lace is developed and hand made in Slovenia by traditional Idrija bobbin lace makers. The thread is undyed, and the dress features tea dyed netting, with a sheer tulle corset.
L A G O O N S U I T
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100% silk crepe.
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The silk crepe is undyed, meaning that whilst it has been bleached, the toxic dyeing process has been eliminated.
B R E A K W A T E R S U I T
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British wool and silk and wool satin.
K I N E T I C S U I T
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Silk jacquard.
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This suit is made from a specially commissioned jacquard woven by Gainsborough to our own design based on dead coral specimens in collaboration with with ao textiles.The weft is dyed with natural plant dyes and the warp thread is undyed.
The lining is peace silk, satin backed crepe, dyed with logwood.
M O B I U S S U I T
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British wool.
S T A N D I N G W A V E D R E S S
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Undyed silk satin backed crepe.
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The satin was with coil embroidery and beading to our design using a SEDEX accredited company in India.
A N E M O N E D R E S S
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Silk jacquard and silk crepe
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This dress incorporates jacquard weave fabric, developed by Gainsborough, in conjunction with ao textiles.
A belt inspired by the coral reef was beaded to our design by a SEDEX accredited company in India.
The lining is peace silk - satin backed crepe dyed with logwood.
R E E F D R E S S
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Silk jacquard.
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The dress is made from a specially commissioned jacquard woven by Gainsborough to our own design based on dead coral specimens in collaboration with with ao textiles.The weft is dyed with natural plant dyes and the warp thread is undyed.
D E A D C O R A L D R E S S
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Silk crepe and organza.
Images of dead coral were drawn directly onto organza by traditional craftsmen in China, preserving an ancient technique.
W A T E R L I N E D R E S S
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Silk taffeta and embroidered organza.
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The taffeta for this piece was woven by Gainsborough, with the weft thread dyed with natural dyes. The organza material was dyed with natural logwood dye by ao textiles and embroidered with naturally dyed threads showcasing some of the beautiful colours achievable using natural dyes. The embroidery and hand painting was produced in China by traditional craftsmen.
T E A C O R A L D R E S S
Silk organza.
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The organza is naturally dyed with tea.
A N T H O M E D U S A D R E S S
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Silk organza and peace silk organza.
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Peace silk is completely sustainable as it is reeled from empty cocoons when the silk worms have already finished their transformation into moths and escaped the cocoon. The organza is dyed with natural dyes and the Swarovski crystals are from Celine Cousteau’s collaboration with Swarovski and inspired by Jellyfish.
L U N A R D R E S S
Silk organza.
The greys are naturally dyed by ao textiles with logwood. The Topaz has been donated by Maurice Ostro of Ostro Minerals who promote more sustainable mining techniques.