WHO - Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager founded the business in 1997. They have since secured a very talented team around them - David Mumford, Eric Holah, Krt, Coco and io who design, construct and deal with customers. Anni, Kerry, David and Eric are all self taught.

WHY - After extensive travels as skint teenagers into early twenties, Anni and Kerry observed the prevalence of recycling in other cities such as San Francisco and Tokyo and the resourcefulness of people in Vietnam and Thailand and on returning to London were inspired to recycle clothes for themselves. Taking old mens suits (bought from second hand shops) and turning them into experimental pinstripe and tweed creations to wear to London Clubs in the early 90’s - they were quickly commissioned to make outfits for friends which lead to a market stall in Kensington Market.

WHERE - Junky very quickly outgrew the market stall and acquired a boutique just off East London’s Brick Lane and this has remained the hub of Junky up until today. The shop houses the industrial design studio, where customers are invited to bring their old worn out clothes for ‘Wardrobe Surgery’ - this involves the customers in the redesigning/recycling process. Since launching the wholesale collection shown in Paris and London, they have secured stockists nationally and internationally ( see stockists )

CONCEPT - Everything produced by Junky is recycled from the best quality second hand clothing, deconstructed, re-cut and completely transformed into a new product that belies the former identity of the raw material. All garments are made in house or carefully outsourced locally. All products stocked in the Junky Store are either recycled, fair trade, made from organic materials or ethically produced. Junky doesn’t conform to fashion trends because they want to promote timeless original designs and offer a repair service to customers (that has in some cases helped garments last more than 5 years of extensive wear). The individual is the focus at Junky as they ensure no 2 garments are the same - they can be cut from the same pattern but the raw materials will always be different. Junky hope to inspire all their customers to look at their discarded clothes and general waste items with fresh eyes and a resourceful frame of mind.

SERVICES OFFERED - Off The Peg original designs. Made To Order premium service. Wardrobe Surgery. Collaboration Projects with other designers. And so much more….

THE FUTURE - More International stockists are on the cards as Junky take their wholesale range to yet another Fashion Week and Another of the regular Junky Off-schedule London Fashion Week shows is planned for this season too at the Truman Brewery. Anni and Kerry are working on a book that’s been commissioned by ACBlack, and working on an education format to try and accommodate all the establishments that want visits for workshops etc. Junky are currently formulating a diffusion range that could increase volumes and spread the Junky word further afield ( to be launched Feb 08 ) and for the next 12 months, have some very exciting collaborations planned with high profile designers in footwear, sportswear and beyond.

HOW GREEN? - Everything by Junky is recycled and promoting ethical consumerism. Happy well paid employees in a good working environment. No pollution in our production process, ie. no international flights shipping goods back from Turkey or China. All stationery, rubbish and goods used in and around the Junky shop are recycled by us or bought by us once recycled.

EDUCATION : Q + A’s

1. What did you do before Junky Styling?
Studied and traveled

2. How did Junky Styling begin?
We began because we wanted to dress differently - Initially, it was all about unique design, and we were able to achieve this through cutting up clothes that were second hand

3. What interests you in fashion?
Individuality in clothing is what interests us, and sustainable designs are what we produce

4. How different is the fashion business now from when you started?
We have always been running alongside the fashion business, as we don’t promote seasonal/ disposable clothes, but I think that there has been a movement towards more disposable high street chains in the 10 years of our business, which has subsequently lead to this fair trade backlash that we are now seeing in the form of Armani to M+S

5. What is the process of your service at Wardrobe Surgery?
We re-work peoples clothes - A consultation, a fitting and then a new item for the owner… it encourages individual’s to recycle themselves

6. What do you think regarding sustainable, ecological, ethical or organic fashion?
I think it’s the way forward, as long as the onus is on design

7. Where do the old clothes and materials come from?
Everywhere! We buy by the weight and individually, it is a lengthy yet enjoyable and inspiring process!

8. What is your philosophy?
Generally? To keep producing amazingly sustainable designs… Junky’s ethos? Timeless, deconstructed re-cut and completely transformed clothing - forever.

1. What inspired you to start Junky? Were you already interested in the environment when you started the company?
We began because we wanted to dress differently - Initially, it was all about unique design, and we were able to achieve this through cutting up clothes that were second hand. We started because there is nothing worse than being in the same place and same dress as someone else ! We didn’t study for it and although the environmental reference was there, the design was at the forefront

2. How do you feel your impact has been recieved so far?
Nominally - We are just a small spec on the fairtrade horizon, but one nevertheless that Vogue’s called ‘high fashion street couture’, so we’re happy with that!

3. How do you feel you can push yourself even further? What are you hoping to achieve with your message of reuse::recycle::refashion?
Acquiring franchises around the world where we can train up the local community’s to create and recycle in the Junky way, this would leave a great legacy

4. What has been your biggest challenge as business women? as a start up? doing eco-fashion?
Ten years ago when we started, the biggest challenge was to get people to take us seriously and believe that our idea was a viable business option, as opposed to just a hobby!

Meeting other women in business has enabled us to succeed in our right

5. What would you do differently if you had a chance?
I think i’d of liked to have some kind of training/experience before we began… Whether it be tailoring, business, accounting skills etc - I just think it would of made life easier!

6. What issue(s) do you wish you could tackle more effectively with your clothing?
The sheer disposability of fashion - let it be known that you CAN wear clothes for more than 1 month

7. What would you implore other people to do to help the environment? Be more aware of?
We all now in 2007 have acquired a level of education/information about the environment, no matter who we are, or what life we lead….So there are no excuses at all left for us to not do what we can to make a difference. We believe that if everyone does something, no matter how little, a change will be made

8. What can you tell me about your design process?
Nothing to tell ! We just create sustainable designs via our Junky’s ethos - Timeless, deconstructed re-cut and completely transformed clothing - forever

9. What are your biggest success in the eco-world?
Not sure that we have any!

10. Where do you think eco-fashion is going? How do you feel apart of that process/transit? Where do you want it to go if it isn’t going in the direction you feel it should?
Finally, I think eco-fashion is becoming more design lead, which is of course the way forward. People can’t be expected to purchase clothes solely on the basis that it’s a green product, they have to feel and look good as after all, they are buying a style, so this movement towards cuts etc is a v.positive thing. This then backs up my theory that green fashion isn’t just a fad - like organic food, you can’t forget what you’ve learnt, so keep learning !

11. How do you bring issues of greening into the rest of your lives?
We all @ Junky do as much as we can - Green energy, recycling everything…we all try to live as sustainably as we can

1. How did you get started in this business? What gave you the idea of re-using garments? How risky was it?
We began because we wanted to dress differently - Initially, it was all about unique design, and we were able to achieve this through cutting up clothes that were second hand

2. Why did you start? Has this always been what you wanted to do?
We started because there is nothing worse than being in the same place and same dress as someone else ! We didn’t study to make clothes, it was just a natural progression

3. Are you surprised recycling has become so hot? Were you ahead of your time?
We’re in our 10th year of business, so I would think we probably were, and the only surprise is that the interest in recycling has taken so long to become so high profile

4. It is obvious from viewing your collections that re-using garments to create new ones have an immaculate outcome. Why do you think this method proves to be successful?
Our experience in working this way is vast, we like to call it recycling without the raw edges

5. There must be pressure of creating a new garment that doesn’t look like the original. Is there any methods or techniques you use to ensure that it doesn’t look like the original?
It isn’t something we think about

6. What are the price ranges? How do you asses how much the final garment is worth?
Our prices range from £18-£65 on accessories and from £40 to £400 on ready to wear. Both the services of wardrobe surgery and made to order can cost anything, and we tend to charge on time

7. Finally, what is the future for Junky styling?
Obviously to take over the world (!), but generally to keep producing amazingly sustainable designs…..Junky’s ethos ? Timeless, deconstructed re-cut and completely transformed clothing - forever