Reverse the Trend
Circular Feature:
Lauren’s Three-Generation Transformation
Lauren’s Relove Fashion entry is a beautiful example of circular design rooted in family history. Her outfit began life as a bridesmaid dress worn by her mam 30 years ago for her uncle’s wedding, a dress originally handmade by Lauren’s granny. Instead of letting this sentimental garment gather dust in a wardrobe, Lauren chose to give it a completely new future!
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MORE ABOUT THE OUTFIT
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Lauren didn’t start with an outside inspiration, the dress itself inspired her. By playing with the fabric, turning pieces around, and experimenting with shapes, she allowed the garment’s history, structure, and possibilities guide her design.
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Every part of Lauren’s outfit came from this single heirloom dress. Sourced directly from her mam, and stitched decades ago by her granny, it embodies wear, share, repair across three generations. No additional materials were purchased, keeping the process as close to zero-waste as possible!
With just the sleeves left, Lauren plans to transform these into a coin purse to match the outfit.
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The dress is made from taffeta, a woven fabric known for its structure and sheen. The material was originally purchased from Hickeys by Lauren’s granny when she first made the bridesmaid dress over 3 decades ago.
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Lauren completely deconstructed and reimagined the original taffeta dress:
She separated the bodice from the skirt and tested different silhouettes until the right one emerged.
The long skirt was redesigned with a new waistband, a side split, and carefully structured pleats.
The bodice was turned back-to-front to create the top, with a reshaped neckline and new darts for a perfect fit.
All raw edges were hemmed for a clean finish.
Lauren even embroidered her initials inside the piece, can you spot them?
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Lauren’s piece beautifully shows how circular fashion can reverse the throwaway trend through creativity, craftsmanship, and an almost zero-waste approach.
By choosing to wear, share, and repair across generations, she proves that meaningful fashion doesn’t require new materials, just imagination and respect for what already exists.
Her transformation turns a 30-year-old family dress into something fresh, personal, and full of life!
This video series was supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment's Reverse the Trend Campaign: Buy less. Rewear. Share. Because that’s what’s trending right now.