Cordê Couture founder and designer Lea Oldjohn hand-knots every centimetre of her intricate, beautiful garments; completing a full dress takes thousands of hours.
According to Lea, Cordê Couture was created to “give people a different point of view about fashion, it is about slowing down and creating something that is ‘couture’ with a very basic material”. Lea says that the brand’s aesthetic is focused on “exquisite craftsmanship”.
Each one-off garment Lea creates uses cord made from recycled fast fashion clothing. These pieces are not only unique, they are future family heirlooms. Removed from ‘trends’, a Cordê Couture garment should be treated more like a piece of fine jewellery.
Lea says that “the medium of rope has endless possibilities, and each creation is a new handcrafting challenge”. Using a range of macrame and other traditional knots, Lea says she always has new ideas. Alongside her garments, Lea also makes lovely bags, bowls and other homewares using rope that is custom made in Melbourne from Australian-grown cotton.
Website: cordemacrame.com/collections/wearables Instagram: @corde_couture_
Discover more fabulous fashion brands in our Stories Section