You founded Garbage Core in 2018 after you finished studying at NABA in Milan, what was the initial inspiration behind Garbage Core? Why did you choose to start your own line instead of going to work at a bigger brand or fashion house?
Garbage Core was the name of my graduate collection at university so I never envisioned it becoming a solo brand later down the line. Garbage Core was created in a very slow and organic way, I chose to grow it from my graduate collection to a brand by following my instincts; using it as a way of expressing my creativity and interests.
The initial inspiration was a study of an aesthetic and trend I saw on Instagram and online; photographing trash and abandoned objects on the street, made me wonder why people were so attracted to trash and how it became an aesthetic.
My second inspiration was how everyday objects and garbage are used in the art world to create installations and art pieces. So I decided to see how that method could be used in the fashion world; using garments and textiles that someone no longer wanted, to create something new. All the materials I work with are sourced around Italy and the collections are entirely developed in our studio in a conscious and craft-driven way with attention to the smallest details.
“My creativity and inspiration are activated through second-hand clothing.” – Giuditta Tanzi, Garbage Core founder
How would you describe a signature Garbage Core piece?
A signature piece of Garbage Core is a garment which you need to look at closely to notice all of its details. Embroidery, broken buttons, linings with small trimmings along the edges; they’re all in a Garbage Core piece.
You work mostly with upcycled materials, vintage and second hand clothing, why is this important to Garbage Core as a brand? What are the setbacks of working like this?
My creativity and inspiration are activated through second-hand clothing. It makes the material research stage of my design process fun, when you’re working with second-hand and upcycled pieces, it’s the materials which guide you through the process, and often inspire a newly finished piece.
That’s sometimes a drawback though, you can fall in love with a material but because it’s a one-off you can only use a certain amount, which can limit you in some capacities. But I think there’s a beauty in that, working with second-hand clothes allows you to create pieces which are inherently unique and unrepeatable, but obviously, that can be difficult when you’re trying to get your pieces stocked in shops and boutiques.