We are upcyclers.

Interview by SirDorian

First of all, please introduce yourself to our readers.
Start in 2002, Andrea Crews combines several aspects of the contemporary creation. Between art and fashion, it presents and stages its collections as performances, happening, or video clip, creating multiple events between art and the every day life.
Andrea Crews federates and joins with actors of the contemporary cultural scene: artists, stylists, video directors, Djs, coming from different horizons, but stemming from the same popular and eccentric, experimental and playful culture… It surrounds the public space and interferes in the fashion market, by proposing alternatives having an original social impact. In opposition to the dominant uniformity, Andrea Crews highlights personal creativity, experimentation and independence. It touches everything, fashion, art, music, likes partying and gets wet without complex.
Andrea Crews’ project bases on the use and the reinterpretation of the second-hand garment; it is a social, economic and ethical choice. Andrea Crews transforms tons of second-hand clothes into unique pieces, chic and trendy.

What is the Story behind the Name? There was a fab Aussie Football Player with this Name. So is there any link?
ANDREA CREWS is a fictive character, half man/half woman (Andrea), Crews can sounds like cruz, cruise, crouze…it depends on your accent and it’s totally international! The idea was to hide all the members of the collective behind the mask of a fictional character, who would be a fashion activist… So, anybody can wear the mask and play action with us… anybody who has a good style and who wanna party with us, of course!
So no link with football player….

What happen since you’ve started out, and what is your educational Background?
Andrea Crews started as a personal project of designer Maroussia Rebecq after her graduation in Fine Art in 2000.
Andrea crews was first a moving recycled performance in art center around the world, before turning in a proper brand in 2006, since year year soon we’ve got our own creative studio and showroom in Pigalle.

Your concept is to reproduce things and also to reinterpret clothes in a new way and the Inspiration comes from the whole world. Is this a product of the Globalisation and mass and overproduction which happen in the last 30 years? Of course, we work with the shit of the world, turning it into “beauty” that the main concept! We are upcyclers!
Every year the excessive consumption of clothing creates millions of tons of discarded garments around the world. Charities receive a small percentage of these as donations, which are then recycled in several ways. The garments in the very best condition are resold or given to those in need. The greater majority are destroyed and converted into rags for industrial use. Maroussia saw a better means of processing these materials. Andrea Crews is a new concept that proposes a unifying and equitable model of garment production, an alternative to the standard consumer system. We serve as an exuberant demonstration of the potential for positive development and change.
Beyond a simple craze for the vintage, the concept “post-vintage” of Andrea Crews is more than ever of current events. More than a simple appropriation, she proposes a reinterpretation. First brand of recycled clothing, Andrea Crews from day to day creates single and flexible clothing and accessories.
A production which is freed from the traditional criterion which govern the market: calendar, profitability, seduction of the masses; a style which is asserted graphic, playful and unconventional!
Founder and designer of Andrea Crews, Maroussia Rebecq, thinks and transforms progressively their arrivals delivered in the workshop.
Each piece is treated one by one according to the potentiality of the garment and the stylist desires. The results are indeed unforeseeable, strange, tempting and daring.

Was it also an easier way to use Recycle stuff etc as to set up a whole production, buy in textiles etc?
Im not interested starting a new brand of clothes!
That’s not the point!

First there was Art and then comes Fashion. What was the reason to start up the Fashion Label? Was it a dream or just the result of the process or…?
As I said the brand is a result of a active proscess, but clothes touch everybody, and everybody has to dress up everyday!
Clothes is a pop medium, easy and fun, very frontal, working with your attitude, your images, your identity, your everyday life fantasy!

We are an active experimental collective that puts together social actions, deeply connected to the cause of recycling and collaborating with human rights associations. Indeed, more than simply cultivating an aesthetic statement, Andrea Crews establishes social connections by inviting diverse individuals to share an artistic experience. More than just forms, Andrea Crews develops a creative energy and promotes sustainable development. Motivated by a serious concern for the state of the environment and the lack of social consciousness in the commercial world, we integrate humanitarian associations, schools and committed partners into our process, while pursuing a creative and practical goal, and encouraging activism.
Andrea Crews’ dynamic causes cultural and human exchanges. Artists, technicians, and craftspeople work on a joint project that highlights the contribution of each participant; it answers the contemporary need for creative energy and social engagement. Recycling, salvaging, conscientious consumerism, and creative problem solving are models of civic behaviour we assert.
More than a brand, Andrea Crews is a new concept that proposes a unifying and equitable model of garment production, an alternative to the standard consumer system. We serve as an exuberant demonstration of the potential for positive development and change.

Do you also plan activism outside France or better, when do you come to Vienna?
Hey please get me to Vienna!

Globalisation and Capitalism takes over the World in a very fast Way. Do you think that we reached a point of no return or are it just 5 to 12?
5 to 12 sorry,
And crew of post nuclear new humangender will fight new survivor wild animals to feed their family!

And what DJs and Musicians are part of the Andrew Crews Collective?
Jean nipon…Dj wet…Ghostape…Corps de rêve…shobo shobo are our crew !
We dress up Yelle, Santogold, Spank rock, Sweat X, Kumi solo, Metronomy !

Stylishkidsinriot shouldn’t be just a classical online magazine than more a place where kids and people get inspiration in a “do it yourself way”. To inspire them in making their own stuff as we hate it to see so many people look like the other ones and individualism is just a small part of our society. Do you think that this individualism grow more and more in the Future as people are bored of all these casual wear?

Yes i am!
I know that I and my family gonna wear red oversize overall with camaieu djilbab!
And at last, what are your plans in the near future?

Beach holidays baby.

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