Calling all fashion lovers. This week’s episode is with sustainable fashion designer, Lydia Bolton.
Lydia founded her namesake brand in 2019 to demonstrate that fashion can be enjoyed in a way that doesn’t have to harm the environment.
All of Lydia’s work uses deadstock fabric and thrifted garments, meaning each piece is also one-of-a-kind. Bold colours, retro silhouettes and unusual vintage prints sum up the Lydia Bolton style.
We spoke about Lydia’s process, her passion for reusing 2nd hand textiles, how her recent collaboration with Nike came about, and how she funded her work when she was first starting out.
You can find out more about Lydia and work her work here - https://www.instagram.com/lydiabolton_
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1:03 - How the Lydia Bolton brand began
4:30 - Balancing work and personal projects
7:40 - Sourcing unwanted textiles
9:15 - The challenges of building a brand
10:21 - Building a community and customer feedback
13:45 - What is creativity?
14:35 - Lydia's production process
15:53 - Challenges with fighting the climate crisis
17:15 - Lydia's advice for bringing your own idea to life
18:50 - Lydia's recent collaboration with Nike
22:30 - What's next for Lydia Bolton
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Useful links
- See the jacket which kicked off Lydia's brand - made for Jgrrey's Glastonbury performance
- Learn more about Traid - the charity working to tackle the negative environmental & social impacts of making, consuming & disposing of clothes.
- See BTS of making Lydia's pieces
- Find out more about Lydia's recent collab with Nike
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artists in residence is hosted by Isabelle Wilkinson, founder of the artists in residence community. To get in touch, pitch yourself as a guest, or share your creative project with us, email isabelle@artistsinresidence.com.
Episode produced by Billy Truswell. Brand design and episode artwork by Holly Whitaker.
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Catch us on social
artists in residence @artistsinreside
Isabelle Wilkinson @isabellewilki
Lydia Bolton @lydiabolton_
