Rosie Evans is the eponymous ‘High Fantasy’ luxury fashion label, creating one off and small runs of anachronistic historically inspired fashion, following the ethical practise of upcycling old textiles and materials.
Sustainability and the ethos of recycling runs through the heart of the brand and Rosie works solely using ‘Fabrics with a past’. 1950s hand embroidered table cloths, old silk curtains and patchwork scrap fabric make up the bulk of her collections. As well as working to save fabric waste, Rosie also collects plastic fruit packaging tape from the Cardiff food market to use as boning for all the corsets and dresses; deadstock shoe laces are also reused for fastenings.
The designs themselves fit the everyday fantasy that Rosie has created: a cross between historical costume, wearable 00s fashion, ball gowns sewn from bandanas, Elizabethan style corset bodices made from tea towels, and patchworked wrap micro mini skirts. Inspired by her home land of South Wales and the poets and artists that hail from there, each piece has a sense of anarchic heritage – a flirty and humorous look at culture of the past.
The brand launched during the first few months of the pandemic, starting on the floor of her bedroom. After quickly growing in demand and popularity, and now based in a studio in Brighton, Rosie is still hands-on in her approach to design. Fabric Sourcing, pattern cutting and sewing the pieces, completing the majority in-house with help from a freelance seamstress and a small team of interns.
Stocked globally around the world and worn by artists such as Griff, Josie Mann, Paloma Mami, Poppy Ajudha, alongside her regular collaboration with 2021 BFC Vogue fashion design winner Bethany Williams, Rosie is set for a wild future.
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