New sben member Debbie Murphy is calling out for any vintage clothing that would otherwise end up in landfill, can you help?

Based in Tamworth, Staffordshire, Debbie’s sustainable clothing range has sold worldwide for the past twenty years.

Debbie started in costume design, where her own designs were born. She had a costume hire business in my house, and it really was like Mr Benn’s! There was so much waste from the costumes and the fabrics were so expensive that she began making outfits from them.

As a costumier and dressmaker, Debbie has worked in the performing arts industry designing and sourcing clothing. This has involved collecting and restoring vintage clothing, much of which has been seen on stage and screen! Debbie’s business is renowned for its ethical values and has showcased collections at the Clothes Show Live as well as a number of fashion fairs and events over many years.

Debbie has dressed several boy and girl bands, X-Factor contestants, many tribute acts and countless drag queens. Missfit Creations was also one of the first Asos Marketplace boutiques in 2010, gaining notoriety as a sustainable fashion brand promoting the upcycling and reworking of vintage clothing and textiles.

Now focusing entirely on vintage clothing restoration, Debbie uses traditional repair skills and visible mending to ensure that all stock is given a new lease of life. As an advocate of visible mending, Debbie is part of a global network of menders endorsing the belief that a repair can be worn as a badge of honour. Having a zero-waste policy, no part of damaged garments is sent to landfill. All items beyond reasonable repair are reworked into upcycled designs.

Extending the life of a garment by just nine months could save £5 billion in resources to supply, launder and dispose of clothing.

Debbie has also begun looking at ways to work with the community, sharing skills and encouraging the repair and recycling of clothing. This includes setting up a local textile repair café and regular street stitching events.

Finding ways to support likeminded business is also a mission, Debbie now offers a service to collect unsaleable vintage pieces guaranteeing no part will go to landfill. As we look towards net zero goals her aim is to help minimise the carbon footprint of consumers and other vintage retailers.

An ambassador for Sustainable Fashion Week and a member of Sustainability West Midlands, Debbie’s sustainable values run throughout her lifestyle as well as her business. Growing up in the sixties and seventies offered her first-hand experience of the mend-and-make-do culture, a generation of DIY punk fashion and a hand-me-down ethos. Using her knowledge of clothing restoration and a passion for environmental matters, she aims to help slow down the fast-fashion movement and encourage consumers to take care of what they wear, proving that loved clothes last.

If you have any vintage clothing or any contacts that could help please contact Debbie at Missfit Creations