Rewardrobe – London's first Slow Style Consultancy

When looking at a wardrobe, I like to do it with an open mind. You never know what gems you might unearth. Pieces you had forgotten you had, even!

Sometimes, though, after a nice wardrobe detox (ideally, to be had once every season!), you are left with pieces that, at first glance, are of no use anymore. They don’t fit, they’re dated, they’re worn out… What to do with them? Discard, is the first word you might find coming to mind. Want to do that with a clear conscience? Bring everything to a charity shop. Mmmm, maybe.

Or perhaps, why not stop a second, look behind the piece and see the hidden potential in it? This is what we try to do at Rewardrobe: try the alternative route, before chucking away.

It is in this frame on mind that I contacted Nina Dewey, the genius designer behind label Enienay (read: N.I.N.A.). I had a pair of combats, they had been with me for many a summer (and winter, sometimes – paired with my super-old Doc Marten’s boots that I bought when I was 16 and I sometimes insist on wearing, even though once a year or so, purely on principle, and because I could never throw them away). But these trousers were now old and battered, and had frankly lost all shape. However, I had some strange affection towards them and, more importantly, I loved the colour and the soft cotton material. In short, discarding them was not an option.

I trusted them in Nina’s hands, and they have now become a beautiful corset, which I have been wearing all summer long!

A re-worked corset by label Enienay

Look at the lovely details: the waistband is now upside down and the belt loops have been kept as a reminder of the corset’s past life as a pair of trousers, the pockets are still there, and the extra fabric has been used to make a quirky corsage.

Another thing about his corset is, it’s 100% unique, and I am sure nobody else has got one quite like mine. And it didn’t cost more than any other average top bought in another high-street shop.

And here at Rewardrobe we have a few names like Enienay that we can point you to, if you want an individual piece made of some garment you own and you are reluctant to just get rid of.

Get in touch and let us show you how to spot the potential in your own wardrobe!