Fings by Floss: Slow down your Wardrobe

Photos by Phoebe Jacob

In a student accommodation block just six months ago, largely realised through her overdraft, second-hand fabrics and wool stolen from family members, Floss launched ‘fings’ (@fingsbyfloss).

In the short time the brand has been in operation it has gone from strength to strength, developing a strong design identity and showing impressive evolution with every collection.

The brand is tiny, with every aspect being run by Floss, from the design and manufacturing of the pieces to the logistics and marketing.

Floss’ most recent work, the ‘Effie’ collection, released on August 1st, is the culmination of six months of focus on crocheted designs.

Made entirely out of wool stolen from her grandmother’s attic, sustainable and slow fashion is at the centre of the brands ethos. Every piece she has created coming from second-hand fabrics.

Her brand is evolving quickly. In the short time since its launch the designs have developed from simple crocheted scarves and mittens to powerful, maximalist, feminine pieces inspired by Victorian and Regency fashion, and by designers such as Simone Rocha and Molly Goddard.

Despite the brands stereotypically feminine fabrics and silhouettes, the brands inclusive sizing and focus on adjustable straps ensures all pieces remain genderless and unisex.

The brands next release, the ‘Nora’ collection, was inspired by a show in Durham that Floss exhibited her work at where all the pieces were made from up-cycled quilts. It includes a variety of vests and waistcoats featuring bold patterns and plenty of regency staples.

Fashion has always been about more than clothes, and in this regard ‘fingsbyfloss’ is no different. Like all art it is an expression of one’s creativity and personality and often is an escape from, or commentary on, the world around us. Floss found that crocheting helped her through the stress of the first few months of university and decided that, alongside selling the creations that came from it, she would use the brand to promote the benefits of crocheting and making your own clothes, to her friends and customers.

This is a cause very close to Floss’ heart, her life having been greatly affected by mental health issues. Her mum suffered from severe post-natal illness after Floss was born and she lost a close friend towards the end of her time at school. Her mum, partly inspired by her own illness, also went on to become a mental health professional once she had recovered, meaning Floss has first-hand experience of the impacts of mental illness, as well as ways of trying to make things a little bit easier.

‘Fings’ is much more than simply the pieces it produces, its design ethos and focus on slowing things down is becoming more and more vital in our increasingly fast paced world.

With the ever looming threat of global warming, sustainability has to be the central focus of our fashion consumption. Whether it is through supporting 'fingsbyfloss' or even making your own clothes, slowing down your wardrobe is essential.