Dulwich OnView

Recycling artist Lauren Shanley talks to East Dulwich based filmmaker and Dulwich OnView regular contributor, Laverne Hunt, about her designs.

Lauren Shanley, the queen of glamorous recycling lives in South London and has done since she moved here from New Zealand over twenty years ago. Inspired by art, history and a commitment to recycling, she transforms vintage fabrics into collages for clothing, interiors and accessories. She is a regular visitor to the Dulwich picture gallery and looks for inspiration both in gallery spaces across the world but also London culture generally.

Lauren lives in Deptford with her husband Jim and is recently celebrating the opening of a second shop at 1.14 Oxo Tower. Some of you may recall her shop in Gabriel Wharf some time ago. She has a strong band of loyal clients and delivers bespoke garments to a wide variety of clientele. She has close friendships with many of her clients, many of whom participate in her fashion shows and photo shoots.

Lauren takes much inspiration from her vast travels. She particularly likes folk art and influences from India, South America, Indonesia and Africa. She appreciates 70’s worthiness but resists the cheesecloth organic sacking look. She has always had a love of recycled fabrics. Growing up in the late 50’s and 60’s New Zealand she was raised to have a strong sense of commitment to the environment. Her father was a man of the land and taught the family to respect the natural world. Much of her childhood was spent on bush walks, which is reflected in the vibrant use of colour in her work. She lived in a small community where sewing was very popular.

Some of her influences come from living in London, street culture, film, fashion although she has a particular fondness of the 50’s. She loves Christian Lacroix and has recently returned from a trip to Paris. Issey Miyake is another great designer as is Elsa Schiaparelli. Living in Deptford and surrounded by the array of African design, particularly the wedding attire worn by African women, has influenced her choice of colour and fabric. Living near Deptford flea market is great for kitsch design and everything else. Surprisingly Lauren is self taught from exhibitions and magazines. Initially Lauren was an interior designer but people always spoke about and loved the fabrics and textures she used and eventually she began concentrating on fashion.

Lauren is often called upon to deliver workshops; even blind students have called her remarking on her choice of texture and fabrics.

As for recycling, Lauren is amazed by what people throw away. She loves the charm and eccentricity of English people. Whilst many people consider the English conservative she has always been able to discover a more expressive flamboyant side which is a delight. Lauren feels at home in South London and did not feel that she fitted New Zealand. London she believes gives all people the opportunity to be themselves. The anonymity and size of London accommodates this freedom. On a spiritual note Lauren feels it a great privilege to do something she loves so much and for her clients who have always been enormously loyal. Many of her clients collect pieces as “Every piece of Fabric Tells a Story”. One photographer remarked that “Lauren’s embroideries are roads to imagined lands”.

Photos: The photos show Lauren’s work from her website. These works are hand and machine stitched, embroidered, appliquéd and beaded into layers of colour and texture. Individual pieces are hand crafted and labour intensive.