“I create pieces that everyone has or has had in their wardrobe at some point in their life, except I make them from scratch using artisanal techniques.” In an almost inconceivably short amount of time Faustine Steinmetz has gone from a newcomer in fashion to a cult name. Her denim creations are to be coveted and collected. Working with the industrial staple, Steinmetz focuses on sustainability at the heart of our collections. Much like our very own beloved Vivienne Westwood here in London, the French designers sees clothing as an investment, not to be disposable and subject to the seasonal change the fashion calendar follows.

“I find our contemporary relationship to buying and owning very wrong,” says Steinmetz. “We no longer buy things we like, we no longer even buy things that we intend to keep, and we are only interested in things which are cheap and readily accessible. Everything is disposable.” Slow Denim, Steinmetz’s retrospective presented at the Gallery Joyce last week, exhibits her reaction to our throwaway culture, explaining just how much work goes into each an every piece of clothing made for the Steinmetz brand.

“I work hours on them because I want to add value where normally very little value is seen. Why should a pair of denim that you wear everyday not be given the same level of attention as a couture dress, destined to only ever be worn once?”