Lynne Sargeson

Environmentally committed to designing products from recycled materials!

My collection - I very often become overwhelmed with emotion when I am constantly surrounded with products, materials being discarded without any thought to the environment and a society of easy come easy go, especially in the fashion industry.  I always view discarded products, fashion items with the view of re-designing in order for them to become another usable item/product/garment.

My design collection evolved whilst studying Textile Design in my final year 2004.  Experimenting with recycled materials was very much at the heart of my initial experimental stages.  Plastic bags being a highly environmental issue in regards to quantity being produced and bio-degradable issues, which became my priority for experimentation - a constant supply at no cost, kick started this collection.

My final handcrafted handbags are the result of plastic bags salvaged from a relatives upholstery business (years of storing).  The plastic was packaging used for covering rolls of fabric and foam.

The designs were inspired by the 1950's, an era of exposure to colour after the war years and also innovative designs at that time with limited supply of fabric manufacturing, until the latter part of the 50s.

Producing designs on plastic, re-cutting and re-layering being the key to the variety of handbag designs produced.  Each handbag is original in its design production, as similar designs may be reproduced but not exactly the same.  

In addition, I produce a selection of handcrafted books, all made from recycled envelopes acquired from a local business organisation.

For the near future I will be concentrating on my handcrafted recycled handbags and extending my research and development further to other recycled materials and diversifying with other products, possibly jewellery.