João Maraschin is fashion designer who creates pieces to unite. He believes the most fundamental parts of fashion are: design, purpose and collaboration. Each one of the garments created are sustainable from both an environmental and societal standpoint.

Brazilian designer João Maraschin is now based in London. He began his recent work by conducting research for two years. It was important for him to establish his brand. Making sure that every outcome complied to the “pillars” he created for himself. One of the most important factors is community. Preserving and supporting local handcrafting techniques, such as crochet and embroidery. Education is important to Maraschin, giving back to the community through mentorship programmes and ensuring longevity of traditional processes. Environmental sustainability coincides with human-centred design. New technologies are woven with tradition, as well as raw materials. Circularity, waste, repurposing, and raw materials are used in each piece. Creating narratives throughout every process of production and use.

Maraschin only works with natural or recycled materials. Ensuring that they are mono-compositions, making it easier for the consumer to dispose of any garments in the future. The materials are processed by craftspeople who Maraschin personally knows, ensuring a safe and sustainable production chain. This in turn provides security and stability in the development of connected projects. One material used is BeLEAF, created by the company Nova Kaeru. Colocasia leaves are manipulated to work, and look like, leather. Maraschin became one of the first people to work with this material, and bring it onto the runway. It was used to create pieces such as a dress and bag. Recycled nylon, silk waste dyed with onions, spinach and nuts are also found in the garments. Up-cycled materials are also used in the collections. The most notable being rubber from bike, car and truck tyres. The broken/disused tyres were washed and cut into fine threads. These were then knitted into garments such as a dress and trousers.

Another important factor in Maraschin’s work is time. Looking at how age is perceived, and questioning beauty standards. He hopes to demonstrate how fashion can be timeless. This is why he designs for women over 30, who are not afraid of growing old. Promoting pro-aging and introducing inclusion by involving mature women in fashion, shown in his campaigns. Many of the craftspeople he works with are women over the age of 70, allowing older generations to pass on knowledge and techniques.