Chapter One

Human Nature

Spring Summer 2012

Within my heart there burns a constant flame.

It is within our nature to conform. Or rebel.To defend. Or surrender.To love or withhold.To control or resist another’s.To deny or concede.To do or not do.To seek acceptance, acknowledgement and approval, whilst denyingwe care. To defend ourselves and our pride, as warriors, whilstbeing careful to not expose our vulnerable inner world for fear ofjudgment, ridicule or being seen as ‘less than’.

These inner battles are all games of the mind.

Suppose we switch our point of reference to our heart?To go within and ask our heart for guidance; what feels right, in anygiven moment? We might reach such a state of calm and recognition.With that recognition may come peace and an unimaginable senseof knowing.

Our complicated, often frenzied lives see us jugglingthe needs, demands and expectations of the people around us, whilstcompromising our own. Most of us have several different personasthat we present to the different people in our lives, depending onwhat’s required in that moment to achieve the desired response. Inaddition, we are often impacted by the reactions of those peopleand situations upsetting our moments of peace, causing irrationalresponses and defenses and complete exhaustion! And we put upshields of protection.

Our launch collection has been designed to show justthat: how we express our chosen persona in any given moment.From a steel suit of armour encasing a seemingly vulnerable, fragilewoman within. To a calm, peaceful exterior enrobing a calm inner,which is not plagued by doubt, worry, and negative thoughts. To abeautifully carved filigree cocoon — is she protected or encaged?And yet, when you delve beneath those layers to the core, there isonly the self and the heart — naked in Truth.

We invite you to connect with your heart and discover just how powerful and unique you truly are.

Prologue

Chapter One

Human NatureSpring Summer 2012

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01 Armoured Coat02 Armoured Jacket03 Printed Cowl Dress04 Sheer Print Dress05 Cut Leather Dress06 Waterfall Dress07 Ottoman Coat

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08 Ottoman Dress09 Jacquard Dress10 Jacquard Coat11 Ruffle Dress12 Satin Cowl Dress13 Nude Chiffon Dress

Rebecca Street is an ethical luxury fashion label. It is also a social enterprise.

We therefore we have a dual purpose: to offer beautifulluxury garments and to be conscious of, and thoughtful about, theimpact of our choices in so doing.

We source beautiful fabrics that have been producedwith consideration for people and planet. The garments are madein fair trade conditions, initially in the United Kingdom and Europe,with future plans for production in the United States and still- developing countries.

For this debut collection, we have engaged highly accomplished British artists__creating hand-cut leather work, ourown custom-engineered jacquard, and hand-embroidered heart appliques__ in addition to Europe’s finest silk and vegetable tannedleather. Our long-term vision is to establish small luxury productionunits across the world, wherein we can train and employ margin-alised individuals.

The Ethical Fashion Forum named Rebecca Street a 2011 Innovation USA Award Winner.

For further information contact Molly Hayward, Co-Founder and CEO atmh@rebeccastreet.com.

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

It is with immense gratitude that we acknowledge the generous contributions of the following individuals and companies:

AdvisorsCaroline BursteinLucille LewinDenise TavernierJane Wilson

CollectionFranki CampbellAasen Stephenson

PhotographyMarcelo Benfield

StylingRomilly Mason

HairJoseph KoniakMagdalena Tucholska

Make-upMaria AsadiKatie Hughes

Models - Elite LondonLouise DoveJessica Oversier

IdentityLuke Elliott

DesignDesign LSC

PrintNB Colour

This book was made using recycled, ethical, and sustainable materials in accordance with international FSC standards.

© Rebecca Street 2012