IN BED x Kateri: A One-Of-A-Kind Collection
Images by Rubin Utama
At IN BED we have always been conscious of the life-cycle of our products. It is this enduring principle that sparked the idea for our most recent Back IN BED collaboration with Kateri clothing designer, Ruby Farley-Steere. The talented seamstress - whose face you might recognise from our Armadale store - has created a series of one-of-a-kind, heirloom homewares with recycled textiles from the IN BED archives. From her South Yarra studio, Ruby has collected samples, off-cuts and reclaimed linens to hand make a collection that is imbued with the same originality her brand has become well known (and loved) for. We visited Ruby in her Melbourne apartment-come-atelier to discover the creative process behind this very special project, launching in store and online on August 22.
On the one-of-a-kind collection...
“The collection with Kateri was made to re-purpose IN BED’s linen off-cuts and pieces with a slight flaw rendering them unable to sell. Instead of ending up in landfill, we reimagined these textiles into special, one-of-a-kind homewares that people could keep forever.
“While the fashion and homewares world is saturated with pieces not meant to last longer than a season, we wanted to re-purpose fabrics, and make them into something people could cherish for years to come.The pieces are made by hand, a lot of work has gone into creating each piece.
“A lot of the pieces, like the cushions, I have carefully mended, adding extra layers and details to tell a new story and to bring them back to life. An important part of the collaboration is preserving the fabric.”
The pieces are made by hand, a lot of work has gone into creating each piece.
On the creative process…
“I was very lucky in that Pip [IN BED’s Founder & Director] gave me full design control on this project. She listed what pieces she would like but then said “you do you”.
“I’m a little wild when it comes to the creative process. I like to lay out all the fabrics and pieces first to see what I’m working with. I didn’t really sit down and design each individual piece first, because each piece is one-of-a-kind, I like to make them up as I go along. Especially the mended pieces, I had fun with those.”
Ruby's bedroom is dressed with a IN BED x Kateri oversized bed cover & room curtain (coming soon).
On the ethos & history behind Kateri…
“Kateri is my happy place and what keeps me sane. Over the course of approximately four years, I have dedicated myself to this endeavor. I’ve always had an emotional attachment to special garments, and so I wanted to create clothes that people could share that special attachment to.
“Initially, it began as a way to create for those closest to me - my friends and family. As time passed, my circle of supporters expanded, leading to meaningful connections with a small yet loyal customer base. It’s something I chip away at in the hope that one day it supports me, though I never want it to be a large business, I love the idea of keeping it small so that I can always be in the studio creating the garments with my own hands.”
IN BED fabrics that inspired Ruby's one-of-a-kind collection.
“When I began designing for Kateri, my aim was to create timeless pieces rather than following fleeting trends. My pieces are classic and I continue to remake them in different fabrications for each season. My intention is to design clothing that can be passed on for generations.
“When I am designing for Kateri I love to imagine how each piece would make you feel. I adore seeing people’s faces when they throw on something they love. You instantly feel 10 times more special when you can go about your day feeling and looking amazing. That is my goal with Kateri. I want to create pieces that made people feel comfortable and beautiful.”
My pieces are classic and I continue to remake them in different fabrications for each season. My intention is to design clothing that can be passed on for generations.
The finished product and planning process of Ruby's hand-made creations for IN BED.
On who or what inspires...
“Often when I am designing it’s based around what’s going on in my life. I have a deep emotional connection with each piece I make. I’ve always thought if you have a deep emotional connection with things you make then other people will too.
“I’ve never been book smart, communicating my thoughts and feelings through words has never felt natural to me, but I think that’s why I love creating with my hands, it's my way of communicating with people.
“I’m always inspired by my family home, my parents and my childhood. I grew up in a very small country home with my mum, dad, brother and sister. It is tiny and never changed - it's still the same today! I love it though, it’s so special and holds so many amazing memories. My mum and dad are a huge inspiration to me, they are both full of creativity, love, laughter and have this care-free energy about them. When designing I want to keep that connection to home, that domestic element as part of each collection. I want people to be able to tell that there was a person that was involved in the making. When a customer gets asked if they made what they’re wearing, I know I've succeeded.”
A work in progress: Ruby's patchwork cushion cover, layered with fabrics from some of IN BED's most beloved collections.
“I’m also inspired by volume. I love ruffles, puffs and voluminous shapes. Whenever I put something on with a puff I instantly feel like I could take on the world, and I hope other people feel like that as well.
“Finally, I’m inspired by labours of love, and the concept of making things to evoke comfort and to be loved for generations.”
On the collaboration...
“This was such a delightful project to work on. I am grateful to Pip for allowing me to contribute to her story. I have a deep appreciation for IN BED and admire the work Pip has accomplished with her brand. IN BED’s linen is unmatched and I think it's crucial for consumers to consider the origins of their purchases, rather than simply following trends or falling for clever marketing tactics. It is essential for individuals to delve deeper into the background of brands, including where and how products are manufactured. In the current global climate, every small decision can make a difference.”
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