Charley Keighley, the mastermind behind Kitten, a rapidly growing upcycling brand based in London, has been making waves in the fashion world with her unique creations. Specializing in customized football shirts and ruched tops, she has captured the hearts of blokecore enthusiasts everywhere. Hypebae caught up with Charley to delve deeper into her journey from a lockdown pastime to a full-fledged business.
Reflecting on the origins of Kitten, Charley recounts how it all began during the lockdown period when she found herself with plenty of time on her hands due to being on furlough from her fashion buying job. Starting a Depop page casually, she named it after her new kitten without anticipating the profound impact it would have on her life. What initially started as a platform for reselling vintage pieces and Y2K fashion quickly evolved into sourcing, reworking, and eventually designing her own unique pieces.
Charley’s design skills, honed over years of experience in the fashion industry, played a crucial role in bringing her visions to life. Despite facing some setbacks and failed attempts, her passion for creating led her to experiment and innovate, culminating in the birth of Kitten. The creative process for Charley often begins with visual experimentation, trying on garments, and playing around with different elements to achieve the desired look.
As sustainability and responsible design are at the core of Kitten’s ethos, Charley emphasizes the importance of breathing new life into discarded clothing and reimagining their purpose. Drawing inspiration from her love for charity shopping and desire to counter the fast fashion industry’s harmful practices, she remains committed to producing ethically and consciously.
The rise of the blokecore trend has been instrumental in shaping Kitten’s aesthetic, with football shirts emerging as a standout piece in her collections. Charley’s unique approach to blending traditionally masculine styles with feminine touches has resonated with her audience, propelling Kitten into the spotlight. Looking ahead, Charley envisions expanding her brand’s offerings to include more feminine designs, wedding guest looks, and ethically made garments produced in London.
In conclusion, Charley Keighley’s journey from a Depop page to a thriving upcycling brand showcases the power of creativity, sustainability, and vision. With a focus on reimagining fashion through a conscious lens, Kitten continues to push boundaries and redefine the intersection of style and ethics in the industry. As Charley embarks on new endeavors and explores fresh design horizons, the future of Kitten shines bright with promise and innovation.