Pelechecoco: Meet the Danish Pioneers in 100% Sustainable Fashion Inspired by Rock ‘n’ Roll & Eco Conscious Attitude

Founded in 2010 by Dan Vaarskov (one of the six original pillars behind the success of Diesel), Pelechecoco is a sustainable fashion brand that prioritises fabrics that are upcycled over overproduction. FMS caught up with Sophie Schandorff, Head of Design, to talk about their new collection, and the ethos behind the brand. “The look is based around music and subcultures,” says Schandorff. “Many pieces are one of a kind, which allows the audience to showcase their personal style whilst being good to the planet and supporting a developing country.

“When we started researching how to do this back in 2009 no one did what we did so we actually had to build our own factory with a Cambodian family that at the time worked in vintage, predominantly leather. We then slowly started to build and educate the workforce in sustainable fashion.”

“We solely work in either reworked vintage or organic fabrics, recycling already existing fabrics is the most sustainable option to date. Other brilliant sustainable brands produce from organic fabrics but still overproduce unfortunately, we take our fabrics from landfills and rework them into new collections.”

“We solely work in either reworked vintage or organic fabrics, recycling already existing fabrics is the most sustainable option to date.”

“Our latest collection ‘XS’ is inspired by the ‘90s Rave Culture, complete with leather coats and blazers in true Gwyneth style, we wanted to create a bridge between Posh Spice and the British Rave culture in the ‘90s. We have reworked oversized tie dye t shirts, tie-dyed camo trousers and patchworked vintage flannel shirts, it’s one of my favourite collections we have ever made.

“Our latest campaign was shot during Lockdown; we gave photographers our new styles and said ‘hey, what can you do’. The results are rather incredible, and we can’t wait to launch it in August 2020.

“I love collaborating with other designers and artists and I have been lucky enough to work with artist friends on creating amazing pieces for some amazingly brilliant people like Madonna, Christina Aquilera, Muse, Chance The Rapper, Sex Skateboards, Vicious & Deadly, Bjørk Hijort and so on, but right now I am super excited about our collaboration with artist Elizabeth Ilsley, a gorgeous English artist that fits our brand so well! This collab comes out in September and I couldn’t be more excited.

“Going on the journey with my brother has been the most beautiful thing about it I think, traveling the world with him, meeting our personal heroes through our work has been truly amazing,” says Schandorff, speaking of highlights. “Meeting Pharrell in London and Rihanna in Copenhagen with my brother is something I will never forget – He has taught me so much about branding and Tone of voice I am forever grateful for what he has done for Pelechecoco.”

“Our latest collection ‘XS’ is inspired by the ‘90s Rave Culture, complete with leather coats and blazers in true Gwyneth style…”

As for other brands they admire in their industry: “I personally really like Under protection, Threads, Everlane and Le Kilt, some for their incredible work in transparency and customer education, others in creating beautiful pieces in line with a sustainable wardrobe. I hope a green profile will be a must in every brand in the future.” 

“Always!!!” exclaims Schandorff, when asked if there’s anything exciting in the pipeline. “Again our collab with Elizabeth Ilsley that is set for September is so so exciting I love painted leather jackets so that;s always going to be awesome. Then I am personally excited about working on our climate collection that will focus on functionality and spirituality, pairing you with crystals in secret pockets etc.”

Schandorff says that her playlists are always a bit of an odd compilation: “But I’ve always been inspired by punk, Grunge, Hip Hop and Skater culture so artist like Pharrell, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Ramones, Sex Pistols etc.

“Michael Jackson was my idol growing up, then Madonna and Gwen Stefani. I owned my first leather biker jacket, Kilt and DM‘s at two years old, so the look was locked in pretty early and anyone that looked like that I gave a listen.”

On their wish list for potential collaborations are… “Zoe Kravitz, Liam SparkesAlice Deallal, Amy Winehouse, Pharrell, Willow Smith, Riz Ahmad, Stormzy, Cactus Plant Flea Market and Billie Eilish to name a few, I mean there are so many brilliant people I’d like to collaborate with.”

Shop online or at their store in Copenhagen. Info on worldwide stockists available via their website.

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