At home with... emmalovesretro

Emma Glibbery
Emma Glibbery makes recycling hip for your home
© emmalovesretro

Emma Glibbery – of design boutique’s eco label emmalovesretro – is leading the fashion for recycled fabrics in the home. Her coveted cushions give fab new life to old dresses or curtains – making a stylish alternative to the planet–sapping mass produced. She tells us why vintage is hot.

curtains which were about to bite the dust. I made blinds and cushions for my new flat and things led on from there.

emmalovesretro because... of its graphic quality, amazing patterns and colours. I like to let my fabrics speak for themselves. There’s also a nostalgic element to it – my flat is a kind of replica of my childhood home. My mother says to me ‘it’s like being in my old house!’

I make retro fabrics contemporary... by backing the cushions with modern fabric. It gives my designs a clean, crisp look.

emmalovesretro cushions
© emmalovesretro

I’m obsessed with... recycling. I love giving new life to something that’s old. I’ve always had boxes of fabric scraps at home. I try to avoid buying anything new, where possible, and all my publicity material for emmalovesretro is printed on recycled paper with environmentally friendly inks.

The design industry could clean up its act by... creating things with longevity – products that won’t be in landfill sites a few months later. I would like to see more of a ‘make do and mend’ mentality.

My dress sense is... very eclectic and individual. I hate chucking clothes away and I think that being a slave to fashion creates great waste so I prefer to keep on trend by accessorising. My proudest purchase of late is a pair of high–wasted jeans – £2 from a charity shop!

My favourite fashion labels... are vintage Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. I love the elegance of their 40s and 50s collections, which were very considered, investment pieces. I also like the current collections of Roberto Cavalli and Stella McCartney for their femininity.

Fashion translates well to interiors... because the two have a symbiotic relationship. They look to the same things for inspiration and trends are based on fabric, pattern and colour. You can change your home’s style with accessories just like you can your clothes.

I love the Missoni Home collections... because of their bold colours and stunning graphic stripes.

In the future... you can expect a wider range of products from emmalovesretro. I want to offer a bespoke blind–making and upholstery service.

emmalovesretro will be creating an exclusive cushion design for mydeco this Christmas. Watch this space.

Love vintage fabrics? Find out about Squint's patchwork creations and check out the designs. For more retro furnishings, see our shop by style section.