'MARY pre-loved' Up-cycled clothing launch

Up and coming designer Mary Benson has been working on something really special - she is hosting a series of workshops alongside a pop-up-shop this month at Crabtree & Evelyn Islington Townhouse, London, N1 2TU  from 17th May to 19th May

Mary says: ' It’s a project that has come from working within the fashion industry for many years and discovering where I sit as a designer within this fast, frantic and frivolous industry. My constant question to myself is: How can I help contribute to changing fashion for the better and what can I do to inspire people in the same light through my work? Now that high street prices are lower than ever, and throw-away culture is at its highest point, I thought it was even more important to take my brand one step further this year, and launched MARY pre-loved'.

Mary continues: 'With MARY pre-loved, I am showing that existing garments can be fashionably renewed, and made special and unique. I am making once loved garments magical again, and they are sustainable and affordable, matching fast fashion high street prices. So everyone can own their own one-off MARY garment. Garments are up-cycled with a variety of fresh changing seasonal prints with buttons to match'

 This season is abstract pretty florals for day, and glamorous moons & stars for night. Sizes available include plus size. Every piece I make is truly unique and timeless.

Mary's aim is to inspire people to choose vintage and second hand more instead of always buying new, giving our planet a break and to encourage the start of a new way of thinking when buying clothing and accessories.
 Her website is

https://www.marybenson.london

MARY BENSON WORLD - A New Collection & Concept

Mary Benson is launching a new concept.
 Realising the over-saturation amongst young designers in the industry and moving away from the traditional schedule, Mary has decided to create a more lifestyle focused genderless collection, consisting of a carefully considered range of streetwear in her signature prints.

 Inspired by delicate Japanese kimonos, healing crystals, Egyptian Goddesses, stained glass art and Mary’s own illustrative archive, the debut collection includes; 6 tracksuits, 4 t-shirts, 2 sweatshirts and 2 hoodies, to be available from new site www.marybensonworld.com with custom vinyl versions being made to order and delivered within 2 weeks.

 The campaign was shot by Lewis K. Smith and features Mary’s muse; British actress Sophia Brown who will star opposite Rachel Weisz in ‘Disobedience’ later this year and featured in the remake of ‘Beauty & the Beast’ and TV series' ‘Clique’ and ‘Guerilla.’

“The tracksuits originally started out as a menswear but I soon realised that there was no reason to choose between men’s and womenswear. We live in such an exciting and creative society, I can see such a wide variety of people wearing them in their own way and mixed and matched with other clothing. I wanted the campaign to feature male and female models, but as soon as I saw Sophia I knew she was exactly the person I wanted in the campaign – her androgynous look was perfect and really encapsulates what the collection is about. In my time away from the industry, I have realised that there isn’t a set way to do things when it comes to designing and creating a collection. The traditional seasonal drops weren’t working for the me and I wanted to create something fun, so I decided to work on my own e-commerce site which over the coming months I plan to grow into more of a lifestyle brand” - Mary Benson

Items are available in two price tiers – screen printed or vinyl printed:
Short sleeve tee in white or black - £65 / £85
 Long sleeve tee in white or black - £70 / £90
 Printed sweatshirt in white or black - £100 / £120
Printed hoodie in white or black - £110 / £130
Printed jacket in white or black - £260
Printed trousers in white or black - £220

The limited edition, made to order vinyl printed 100% silk jacket and trousers are available in pink, black, gold and grey colourways, priced at £680 for the jacket and £580 for the trousers.