3 weeks Ago By Olivia Allen
To celebrate Earth Week , Vogue is spotlighting sustainability’s new guard of London-based designers. Read the second story from the series below. Gina Corrieri makes clothes for people who want to look good without trying too hard.
Her designs are form-fitting, but never too serious – these are the kinds of pieces you can go out dancing in, and spill a drink on. She works with deadstock and vintage textiles, reworking them into garments that shift-shape depending on who’s wearing them. A top becomes a skirt becomes a going-out staple in Corrieri’s world.
The designer started small, launching her namesake label in 2021 and working out of her bedroom, shooting lookbooks on friends and packing orders herself. Now, a few years in, Corrieri’s pieces have garnered the attention of the A-list, with Jorja Smith , Shygirl and Olivia Dean all counting themselves as fans of the label. The brand is intimate by design.
It’s built on conversation, community and that signature London approach where everyone’s doing a million things at once. There’s a clear sense of care in everything Corrieri makes. Not just in the sourcing of the fabric or the production methods – though those matter a lot – but in how the clothes live with people.
Her designs invite you to try things out, switch things up and play around. It’s a low-pressure kind of creativity, made for real life. In a world, particularly when it comes to fashion, that often feels either painfully fast, Gina Corrieri’s world is slow, thoughtful and fun – powered by a DIY spirit shaped by experience and the desire for a really good night out.
What first drew you to a more eco-conscious way of designing? I got obsessed with thrifting and charity shopping when I was about 17. It completely changed how I thought about clothes – not just what I wanted to wear, but how long things could last. I loved sharing and inheriting clothes in my family and started customising and reworking pieces myself.
How do you balance sustainability and style? I don’t separate the two. I begin every piece by investigating the textile itself – the limits of what I’m working with push me creatively. It’s all about versatility and wearability.
I design everything on myself first and talk to my friends constantly about what they’d wear. I think people connect with the story behind the clothes. There’s so much stuff out there now – it’s not just about what something’s made from, it’s how it fits into your life.
Who is the Gina Corrieri customer? They’re expressive, intentional and not chasing trends. They dress to reflect their interests, not just aesthetics. I want the clothes to feel easy – you throw something on and go out, feel amazing, live your life.
It’s not precious or overly styled, it’s real. Can you talk us through the life cycle of a piece? Say it’s a T-skirt [Corrieri’s signature skirts made from reworked t-shirts]: I’ll source it second-hand in the UK, usually deadstock or vintage. Then it’s reworked by my manufacturers in north London.
Once it reaches the customer, it can be worn in multiple ways – as a top, a skirt or however you want. That flexibility keeps it fresh and makes it more personal. Ideally, they keep it, pass it on, let it live many lives.
I love seeing that kind of play – it shows people feel confident experimenting. What do you think resonates most with people? I think it’s the mix – the sustainability and the size range. I want the brand to be a club anyone can join.
That was always the vibe – inclusive, expressive, fun. Something that feels freeing. So.
.. what’s the music at this club? It’s a bit of jungle, some hyper-pop, maybe trance around 4am, then soul to close things out and keep everyone feeling good.
Gotta keep the spirits up. How does London influence your work? I dreamt all of this from here. It’s home and it’s where I run my brand now.
It’s expensive and hard, but the energy, the culture, the people – it’s so inspiring. I’m mixed – my mum’s Trinidadian-Guyanese and my dad’s Italian-English – and growing up in London let me embrace all of that. It feeds into everything I make.
What advice would you give to emerging designers? Don’t rush. There’s this pressure to keep producing, to be visible online all the time, but slow growth is powerful. Take time, build with care.
Martine Rose took nine years to get to where she is – that mindset really stuck with me. Longevity matters more than hype. What’s next for Gina Corrieri? More pop-up stores – they are such a great way to meet people and let them experience the brand.
I’d love a permanent space that’s part shop, part studio, part workshop – a proper hub. We’re also looking at New York, finding ways to grow beyond London but keep the personal connection. I want to reach more people, collaborate more and create something that lasts.
It would be a place to share what I’ve learned and give others a route into the industry, especially people who might not have access otherwise. That’s what I want more of – connection, collaboration, community..
