Faustine Steinmetz

Summary

London-based French fashion label Faustine Steinmetz redefines luxury by blending meticulous hand craftsmanship with a commitment to environmental sustainability. Renowned for its artisanal garments, each piece is uniquely handwoven using traditional techniques and crafted from sustainable or recycled materials, such as repurposed denim.

The brand’s innovative approach to fabric development and eco-friendly studio practices, including low-impact spinning, dyeing, and weaving, highlights a dedication to conscious fashion. Through limited production runs and a focus on authenticity, Faustine Steinmetz sets a high standard in the industry, proving that fashion can be both exclusive and ethically responsible.

Vision

Faustine Steinmetz’s vision is founded on an integration of hand craftsmanship and environmental consciousness. The brand takes pride in its use of traditional textile techniques, with each fabric handwoven by a single artisan on a traditional handloom. This meticulous approach not only upholds the integrity of the craft but also highlights a deep commitment to quality and authenticity in every piece.

Sustainability is woven into the fabric of Steinmetz’s studio practices, encompassing the spinning, dyeing, and weaving processes that are designed to have minimal environmental impact. By prioritizing low-impact methods and focusing on the use of recycled materials—such as thrift-store jeans—the brand ensures that its ecological footprint remains as small as possible. Steinmetz’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the production process, showcasing an innovative approach to fabric development with creations like micro-pleated denim.

The brand’s dedication to environmental responsibility is reflected in its mindful selection of production methods and materials. Each element of the design and creation process is chosen to align with a vision that respects the environment while preserving the artistry of hand craftsmanship. By marrying traditional techniques with sustainable practices, Faustine Steinmetz sets a powerful example in the fashion industry, emphasizing that style and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.

Mission Statement

Faustine Steinmetz’s mission is to redefine the fashion landscape by combining artisanal craftsmanship with sustainable practices. The brand strives to create high-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate the art of hand-making, ensuring that each item is meticulously crafted using traditional techniques. By prioritizing slow fashion and focusing on ethical production, Steinmetz aims to challenge fast fashion norms and inspire a deeper appreciation for clothing that embodies authenticity and artistry.

At the heart of Steinmetz’s mission is an unwavering commitment to environmental consciousness. The brand utilizes eco-friendly methods, such as recycling thrift-store denim and employing low-impact processes for spinning, dyeing, and weaving. This dedication to sustainability reflects a desire to create fashion that respects both the environment and the individuals involved in its creation. Through these practices, Faustine Steinmetz promotes a vision where fashion is not only beautiful but also responsible and thoughtful.

History

London-based French designer Faustine Steinmetz graduated in Fashion Design from Atelier Chardon Savard in Paris- undertook Masters in Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins London- cut her teeth with Jeremy Scott and Henrik Vibskov- and then launched her own fashion brand in 2013.

Her entrepreneurial story and rise to fame is very inspiring. The young designer taught herself hand-making textile techniques from YouTube and craft books. When she was just fourteen she began recycling her jeans. So when she launched her label she was interested in reproducing jeans because they are a common piece of clothing- usually made industrially- which is the complete opposite of what she does. This contrast is what makes the final piece interesting.

Rooted in sustainability- she uses handloom production processes that have a low environmental impact be it spinning, dyeing or weaving fabrics in her studio in East London. “We reproduce iconic pieces, the kind everyone has or has had in their wardrobe at one stage, except we make them all by hand. Each fabric is solely handwoven by one person using one of our traditional handlooms” she explained when she was shortlisted for Young Fashion Designer at LVMH Prize 2015.

Retailing her eponymous fashion label at Browns, Dover Street Market and Selfridges, Steinmetz showcases at London Fashion Week. Her debut made headlines as she re-cast denim with powerhouse craftsmanship. Per Vogue- “Faustine Steinmetz turned the idea of denim inside out with her first collection and the intricate hand-loomed pieces she created from recycled thrift-store jeans were anything but basic… Micro-pleated denim is among the new fabric developments in her repertoire… Her couture-like weaving expertise showed up in the hand of a striped polo shirt, which, like the pieces of her first collection, took a week to make.”

WWD took note of her debut showing. “Crafty Faustine Steinmetz, who to date has only used fabrics she wove herself, expanded her range for spring with high-waisted jeans, accordion-pleated denim skirts and raw-edged jean jackets… Her labor-intensive creations, displayed on models partially embedded in walls at the Institute of Contemporary Art, are marvels of artful shredding…”

As a part Diesel’s Denim Lab, a newly created space where Formichetti can champion young designers who are pushing the boundaries of jeans, Steinmetz created a capsule collection of surreal denim pieces.  Steinmetz also debuted a range of competitively priced basics on her e-commerce site. Her star continued rising and the young designer was named winner of two prolific awards in 2017 — PETA Designer to Watch and Swarovski Collective Award where she received 25,000 euros as prize money.

Steinmetz told WWD: ‘It gives you opportunities to do things as a young designer — with, obviously, the money as well. That’s so important… At the moment, we are working on setting up production in different countries that have fair trade.’ So it is no wonder that Faustine Steinmetz received sponsorships from British Fashion Councils NewGen Initiative, Cotton USA and Centre for Fashion Enterprise.

Products and Services

Faustine Steinmetz’s products are distinguished by their artisanal quality and commitment to sustainability. The brand offers a range of handwoven garments, crafted from repurposed or sustainable materials such as recycled denim. Each piece is unique, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship with traditional hand-weaving techniques and innovative fabric treatments, such as micro-pleated denim. The emphasis on handmade production ensures that every item reflects a dedication to detail, quality, and authenticity.

In addition to its distinctive products, Faustine Steinmetz provides a personalized and conscious approach to fashion. The brand’s studio practices are rooted in eco-friendly methods, encompassing spinning, dyeing, and weaving processes with minimal environmental impact. By focusing on limited production runs and custom creations, Steinmetz fosters an exclusive, responsible fashion experience. This approach not only enhances the value of each garment but also promotes sustainable consumption and an appreciation for thoughtfully made clothing.

Awards and Services

Founded in 2013 Faustine Steinmetz has been recognized by top professional organizations. In 2015, the fashion label was one of the seven finalist for Young Fashion Designer at LVMH Prize 2015 and was also nominated for Emerging Womenswear Designer of the Year at British Fashion Awards. The label was also named winner of two prolific awards in 2017 — PETA Designer to Watch and Swarovski Collective Award where she received 25,000 euros as prize money. It was also selected by Selfridges- in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion- as part of Bright New Things scheme: an initiative to promote innovative sustainably-minded approaches to design. Steinmetz has also received sponsorships from British Fashion Councils NEWGEN initiative, Cotton USA and Centre for Fashion Enterprise.

References

• Facebook account of Faustine Steinmetz Facebook
• Travel In Style With PETA’s 2017 Fashion Winners Forbes
• Faustine Steinmetz Fall 2018 RTW Vogue
• Faustine Steinmetz in the run-up to LVMH Prize LVMH
• Who is Faustine Steinmetz- LVMH Price finalist? Elle
• Twitter account of Faustine Steinmetz Twitter
• The New York Times reviews Faustine Steinmetz The New York Times
• Faustine Steinmetz Londres Primavera-verano 2018 Harpers Bazaar
• Instagram account of Faustine Steinmetz Instagram
• Designer To Watch Design Scene
• Faustine Steinmetz profiled The Cut
• Parisian Flavour: Faustine Steinmetz Clash
• LinkedIn page of Faustine Steinmetz LinkedIn
• LVMH reveals final cut for LVMH Prize Fashion Network
• Faustine Steinmetz featured in Vogue Vogue
• Official website Faustine Steinmetz
• Faustine Steinmetz profiled Metal
• Faustine Steinmetz Fall 2017 RTW Vogue
• Faustine Steinmetz RTW Spring 2016 WWD
• Faustine Steinmetz Spring 2016 RTW Vogue