Eco-friendly Handmade Fashion by Glen & Constance

Posted Mar 26th 2009 at 4:00PM by Mallory Whitfield (Subscribe to Mallory Whitfield's posts)

Filed under: Fashion, News, Best of the Season

bold and beautiful whimsical party dress by Glen & Constance

All great designers have to start somewhere, and today's featured indie artist Amy Bobeda is currently doing double-time as a student of costume design and the owner and creator of Glen & Constance, a line of environmentally friendly, upcycled clothing. We love her eco-concsious style and caught up with her recently to find out what sparked her interest in fashion.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I am currently a student of costume design at UCSC, designing in my attic bedroom. My work is all reconstructed from found materials that I scavenge from everything ranging from friends' throwaway bags to remnant stores. I am obsessed with the puzzle that clothing can create, taking all the little pieces, seeing how they will fit together to create the end garment.

How did you get started as a designer? I began sewing at the age of four: I threw down a giant piece of green knit and made my mother trace me on it, then I drew a dress, cut it out, and stitched it together! I romped around the house in it for months; even though it looked utterly ridiculous, I was so proud.

Dance the Night Away Dress by Glen & Constance

Dance the Night Away Dress by Glen & Constance

What inspires your work? It depends. I can be inspired by fabrics, buttons, music, artists, and usually awkward dreams.

Who are your favorite designers? Vivienne Westwood and Betsy Johnson.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I am a pumps and boot maniac, my shoe collection is outrageous. Beauty wise, Burts Bees beeswax chapstick is my one and only must have.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Originality and designing things YOU love is key.

Where can people find your work? My website: glen.constance.googlepages.com has my portfolio and a link to my Etsy store, which can be seen directly at glenandconstance.etsy.com.

Anything else? Here's a link to a recent video promotion that was featured on the San Francisco Bay Guardian website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_u53kcg51o

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.

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Tags: etsy, handmade, indie, indiedesigners, one of a kind, OneOfAKind, reconstruction, recycle, recycled, recycling, upcycle

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nicole 3-27-2009 @ 8:59AM

Hello everyone,

I saw the article about going green and being more environmentally friendly. I think it is great that so many people are waking up to the fact that the planet is in trouble and that we need to act now in order to help out. I think with global warming creeping up on us, I think it is very important that we become more aware of trying to lower our carbon emissions, and try and do right by the planet. I think we can all do our little bit extra to try and help! At home I always shut the computer down rather than putting it to sleep, and always turn off electrics rather than leave them on stand by. These tips may seem small, but if everyone pulled together then I think we could really make a difference to the world. Another hint I have is that I now use e-Cards rather than buying paper cards. Not only are you saving money if you choose a free site, but more importantly, you are helping the environment by saving paper, and therefore less trees need to be chopped down! I have done my research and finally found the best free Environmentally Friendly e-Card site. It is really easy to use, which is great if like me you are not very good with computers! I really like this particular site as there is just so much choice. I know e-Cards are not for everyone but think of the environment it really is a great way to help out and do your bit! Kind Regards, Nic.