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Anti Apparel Pollution ™/ Text / The Cut / Photography / Courtesy of Andrea Crews 13th August 2008 Andrea Crews is a group dedicated to reusing clothing and giving pieces a new cycle of distribution. Creator and ringleader Maroussia Rebecq talks to us about her creative intentions: ‘It’s not only about second hand clothes and transformations, but about how you see and build your life, how you make choices and assume them.’ Andrea Crews is the fashion circus you want to run away and join. This is the sexy Parisian equivalent of our Katharine Hamnett and Davina Hawthorn. Crews’ projects are based on the use and reinterpretation of second hand clothes as a social, economic and ethical choice. Second hand shopping is not a new concept but reinventing an item and giving it the credibility of a high profile fashion brand is pretty innovative. Maroussia hunts for new material in discarded clothing stores: ‘I’m a flea market and trashy second hand addict. That’s where I’m always finding inspiration and something new to transform.’ The concept is simple and revolves around three elements – art, fashion and activism.‘I originate from art and didn’t want to make fashion. Clothes were easy to manipulate and I have to admit that I’m now also a fashion designer!’ When questioned on collaborations at Crews, Rebecq replies that they’re ‘open to anyone just as long as they’re good looking.’ This might be their selling point. Anyone can rummage through a pile of second hand clothes in their local charity store, only those items aren’t endorsed by hot young males. ‘Clothes are about the body and the social representation.’ Crews’ shows are provocative. The outfits are so wacky you’d love to wear them and join in. Awesome visuals combined with dirty electro beats play over the catwalk exhibiting kaleidoscopic neon patterned leggings and other luminous coloured materials. Music accompanying the Crews’ displays is contributed by various Parisian artists including DJ Wet, Jean Nopin and Maroussia Rebecq’s very own human beat box! Mass recycle sessions are a common Crews event. They require large studio spaces and mountains of bagged apparel. The group work together in one place to discover the material, make designs and create fashion. At events like the group’s Paris Stand Up, Berlin M’excite and Madrid te la pone, you’d be shocked by the tons of second hand clothes gathered for the occasion. All styles and types waiting to be found and transformed. There are tables with creators on sewing machines and semi-naked friends ready to model. These events are important because they prove Maroussia’s concept to be fun, chic and ethical. Over the past few months, consumers continue to approach life in a more ethical way. Newspapers and moving image play a huge role in influencing opinions but it’s creative people like the brains behind Andrea Crews that appeal and provoke people to become active in their recycling efforts, making it a life choice for generations to come. A recent event for the Wiels contemporary art centre in Brussels has seen the collective organising textile workshops for children, giving them an enjoyable learning experience. Selling points can be found in France, Japan, USA, Russia, Denmark and Greece along with the online store. Eventually, Maroussia would love to be distributed in UK stores and the idea of Andrea Crews events in the UK is definitely a possibility. The UK alone sends one million tonnes of textiles to landfill every year. In the heart of Paris, a collective of fashion activists contribute to a solution. For more: www.andreacrews.com		Issue Two Aug 2008 Reggie Yates Interview Road To 2012 : Olympics Special Road To Carnival Fashion Freedom At A Price Red Hot Interview Nash Money Sneakers Micachu Interview Natty Interview Life In The Marine Corps Parents Meet The Teenagers Young Londoners Meet The Cast Of Adulthood Cyko Logic Interview Fred Butler : Prop Stylist Interview Immortal Technique Review Made In Queens Victor Timofeev : Artist Interview Ricky Powell Interview Twizzle Interview Flywear Feature Top Girl Film Feature Queen Of Nations Not Without My Sister Sky's The Limit Career's Advice Issue One March 2008 Bashy Interview The Cool Kids Lady Lykes Grimes New School Rowdy Superstar Interview The Sound Of Reason Slash Interview Hoxton Vs Hampstead Fashion Young Designers Lucinda Chua Interview Will Kay Interview The Brothers Size Chris Lambert Duane Henry Drug Trafficking Feature Does My Bum Look Big in This Life After Prison Whats Upsetting Our Children MP Julia Goldsworthy Autechre Live In London Hardcore Is More Than Music Media Box Paddington Development Trust The Cut On Myspace