Our materials
What is already there is used.
No new fabric is produced for any piece by Beverly Berlin. Old ties, shirts, and textiles are already here. They no longer require water, energy, or raw materials, just someone to make something new out of them. Furthermore, many old fabrics are of higher quality than what is produced new today.
I prefer working with natural materials like silk, cotton, and linen. However, because ties, then as now, are often made of polyester, that also finds its way into my work.
Silk: only from old ties
For conventional silk, silkworms do not survive the production process. That is why I use silk exclusively from old ties. A material for which living creatures have died is far too valuable to throw away.
Silk cools in the summer and warms beautifully in the winter. That is why I like to sew scarves, dresses, and blouses out of it. It is soft and pleasant on the skin.
View all pieces made from old ties
Cotton: robust and fully biodegradable
Pure cotton is biodegradable and inherently robust. It comes in many weights, from soft shirt fabric to stiff canvas. That is why it is as suitable for delicate collars as it is for sturdy bags and jackets.
View all pieces sewn from old shirts
Linen: cool and durable
Linen is one of my favorite materials for reasons similar to cotton: natural, robust, and biodegradable. In addition, it has a lovely cooling effect, which is just right for summer.
Polyester: too good for the trash
Polyester is not a natural material, but it is found in many ties, both then and now. Since it is already here, it shouldn't end up in the trash. I give it a second round as a new accessory.
Moving blankets: remade from scraps
Moving blankets are made from fabric scraps that cannot be used in any other way. They are shredded and bonded into a new, firm material using a stitch-bonding process. Robust enough for bags that go through a lot.
