STORY OF THE STYLE – BUILDABLE ACCESSORIES
Next in our ‘Story of the Style’ series we spotlight our growing range of Buildable Accessories, designed to create our unique Marfa Stance solution to buy better and less. Offering a sustainable way to wear pieces in multiple ways again and again by building, adapting and transforming signature styles for life.
We take you behind the scenes of the production process in our small family run factories in Italy, to understand the hours of work it takes to make each style.
WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION?
Taking inspiration from the artisanal craft of the quilters of the Gees Bend, we have combined shapes and colours in a modern and playful way, to create a new and unique quilt.Continuing our commitment to upcycling left over fabrics in small, limited edition runs, our Italian factories have expertly crafted this version of our coveted Reversible Cropped Quilt, cut from our left over tried and tested water-repellent lightweight quilted nylon.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE?
There is a lot of skilled hand work involved in crafting this piece, with the sewing of upcycled fabrics into the patchwork design taking 5 hours alone and pattern making taking 12 hours.
HOW MANY ARTISANS WORK ON IT AND WHO ARE THEY?
We work with exceptional craftswomen in Rebby, our small hand-selected family run factory near Venice, Italy, all of which are local and have many years’ experience in their craft.The team making this style consist of two artisans for cutting and six for sewing, one pattern maker, 1 for grading and 1 production manager. As always, each Marfa Stance style goes through two rounds of quality checks before leaving the factory.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DESIGN ELEMENTS?
This style involves the meticulous process of assembling the many different coloured pieces of our upcycled quilted nylon, ensuring nothing goes to waste. There are several colour thread changes and extra time needed for both cutting and sewing.A gathered detail at the pocket and hem adds another time-consuming handmade element. This creates a very nice shape, is a subtle detail and functionally adds space for the pockets to hold more. The stitch shape of the quilting also offers a loftier fit and softer feel.
Because this is a reversible construction, it means there is a lot of hand finishing. This ensures it is functional and durable with a clean luxury finish. Also, each loop and buttonhole patch are made completely by hand. While most quilts are stitched through and through, we use a doubled style which allows for pockets on both sides, and also a cosier feel. This, along with the fact the garment is fully bound, is a more expensive process, but we believe it is the best way to give the cleanest finish and reinforces the seams. This unique garment is made to last.
WHAT ARE THE MODULAR ELEMENTS?
This iteration of our most wanted style gives two very different looks in one, with the reverse side in our new stone colourway, contrasting to the fun colour block patchwork side.All buildable accessories easily button into the neckline of this quilt, creating multiple ways to personalise your own unique style. Transform and build your piece over time with our signature selection of luxurious, buildable accessories, including our shearling and quilted collars and hoods.