/Stevie Leigh
@ItsMeStevieLeigh
Christopher King
Stevie Leigh Andrascik
Patch And Sew
woven cotton threads and upcycled denim
36″ x 24″ x 10″
2024
Chris King and Stevie Leigh met in early 2021 while both exhibiting at JMAC Pulp Windows. They have collaborated to create a downtown Worcester storefront window, worked together to advance the process of sorting and reusing scrap fabric, and have created several pieces of apparel from Chris’ woven fabrics. This bowling shirt, Patch And Sew, combines the textile creations of both artists into a single wearable art piece, celebrating each individual as well as their long standing working relationship. The woven fabric was produced by Chris. The denim patchwork was produced by Stevie. Chris sewed the patchwork segments and then Stevie cut, sewed, and tailored the shirt to fit Chris. The design is unisex and reversible.
@kingchrisg
@itsmestevieleigh
Christopher King
Stevie Leigh Andrascik
Rope Works
woven cotton threads, handmade rope, and upcycled denim
36″ x 24″ x 10″
2024
Chris King and Stevie Leigh met in early 2021 while both exhibiting at JMAC Pulp Windows. They have collaborated to create a downtown Worcester storefront window, worked together to advance the process of sorting and reusing scrap fabric, and have created several pieces of apparel from Chris’ woven fabrics. This bowling shirt, Rope Works, combines the textile creations of both artists into a single wearable art piece, celebrating each individual as well as their long standing working relationship. The woven fabric was produced by Chris. The rope was produced by Chris from fabric strip supplied by Stevie Leigh from tailoring waste. The denim sleeve patchwork was produced by Stevie. Stevie cut, sewed, and tailored the shirt to fit Chris. The design is unisex and reversible.
@kingchrisg
@itsmestevieleigh
Stevie Leigh
Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris
upcycled denim scraps, jeans waistband, metal button
10” x 8” x 2.5”
2023
This flower crown, crafted from upcycled denim scraps, embodies a fusion of nature and sustainability. The juxtaposition of tough denim transformed into delicate flowers highlights the beauty of resilience and fragility in our lives while reflecting our connection to the earth and our responsibility to protect it. This piece invites the wearer to embrace individuality while championing eco-conscious fashion. Through this crown, I aim to inspire a dialogue about waste, beauty, and the art of reinvention—reminding us that even the most overlooked materials can bloom into something extraordinary.
@ItsMeStevieLeigh /ItsMeStevieLeigh
Stevie Leigh
The News
Inspired by: John Willis, Recycled Realities 1
upcycled denim scraps, metal zipper
22″ x 26″ x 2″
2023
After studying Recycled Realities 1 by John Willis, Stevie Leigh made a direct correlation to her own work which involves upcycling denim scraps from tailor shops that would have otherwise been sent to a landfill. This jacket is made from upcycled material, however the fashion industry is one of the top polluting industries in the world. This paradox is the same as the paradox of the newspapers in Recycled Realities being recycled but also causing pollution. Every Stevie Leigh design is named after a song title, and this design has the lyrics “Shut your eyes, but it won’t go away” from the song The News by Paramore which aptly relates to many people’s views on waste. They put trash in the bin and forget about it without thinking about the bigger problem of excess and consumption in our lives. This issue is explored in both Leigh’s and Willis’ work.
@ItsMeStevieLeigh
Stevie Leigh
Garbage Bin
upcycled denim scraps, thread, seam binding and selvage, metal zippers
30” x 29” x 6”
2021
Garbage Bin is created from denim that was otherwise destined for a landfill. The denim scraps used are from tailor shops and are the remnants of hemming jeans. When processing the scraps, I was left with the selvage, waste thread and excess fibers, which instead of throwing away, I used to embellish the sleeves and back patches. This created a unique textured textile. My aim is to show that what many people believe should be in a garbage bin can be used to create beautiful works of art and nothing needs to be wasted in the creation of fashion.
@ItsMeStevieLeigh
Stevie Andrascik
Self Portrait 2023
upcycled denim scraps, yarn, metal zipper scraps
11″ x 7″ x 1″
2023
Dolls were my first introduction to the art of fashion. As a child, I had many dolls of all mediums; porcelain, rag, Barbie and even a My Twin doll. It is only fitting that this self-portrait is a mini 3D doll made of the material that I use for all my artworks: upcycled denim scraps. From my blue hair to my favorite jacket to the doll stuffing, which is also upcycled denim. Self Portrait 2023 is a representative of how I’ve grown and who I currently am, not only in looks but also what I am made of.
@ItsMeStevieLeigh
Stevie Andrascik
Progress, Progress
upcycled waste denim and fleece scraps
25″ x 25″ x 6″
2024
Progress, Progress is part of my series #REMIXbyStevieLeigh which continues to explore the possibilities of waste denim. Fur, although highly revered in luxury fashion, is unethical to use as well as harmful to the planet. My aim was to create a “fur” coat by only using upcycled denim scraps to create the fur-like texture. Over time, this piece will continue to fray and become more fuzzy and fur-like as it ages. My piece is an exploration of how we can reinvent textiles to move towards a more sustainable future.
Instagram: @itsmestevieleigh Facebook: /ItsMeStevieLeigh