It’s time for our March Q&A, and for this one we sat down with Jon, the man behind Reworked 348 – the clothing company that doesn’t make clothes! A brilliant concept, with equally brilliant menswear, why not find out more about the brand and it’s ethos via the chat below?
Welcome Jon, you’re the man behind ‘Reworked 348’ – for those who may not be aware, please can you tell us the story behind the brand and where the name comes from?
We wanted to create a brand in a different way, doing things differently to the “normal” production cycle, it’s very well documented the negative impact the clothing industry has on our environment and planet.
We are Reworkers so the name kind of came pretty easy, the 348 part is something more personal.
Your tagline is the ‘the clothing company that doesn’t make clothes’ – what inspired you to go down this route?
From the very beginning we decided that we wanted to leave the smallest footprint possible, jokingly we said the best way was not to actually make any clothes at all, which is true, but not ideal if the aim is to launch a clothing brand, but it did get us thinking.
It was at that point we decided to research what was already out there, what had already been made in the past but just never used.
The thing we also discovered was the quality and make from what back when can be far superior to what can be available today.
Today there is such a focus around price and costs, sometimes quality can suffer.
What fascinates you about military and workwear from yesteryear?
I’m fascinated by the history of the garments, I come across garments and equipment today that I often think should be in a museum and not in some dusty old warehouse.
From a personal styling point of view I love original utility, military and workwear pieces, the quality, construction, attention to detail and materials are first class, truly fit for purpose and built to last.
The only issue I ever found was the fit and styling just weren’t quite right, I’d buy something but wouldn’t really wear it, but the quality of the actual product was outstanding.
It’s then I started to deconstruct some garments and then reconstruct, which is a lengthy and fiddly process, but after that Reworking process they would become my go to pieces.
Where do you source the pieces for you to rework?
Apart from the lengthy and fiddly aspects of Reworking, in the beginning finding the right materials to Rework was not so easy and there’s not an infinite supply like new virgin materials.
That said due to the years of over production, there’s enough out there to keep us going for a while yet.
I can end up in some odd places and I’ve met some real characters along the way, I would say it’s not the usual sourcing trip other brands may experience.
It’s now become a bit of a treasure hunt, you never really know where you’ll end up or what you’ll find, but it’s a real buzz when you find the right thing.
For me searching out the materials we Rework has become part of the work I really enjoy!
Where do you draw inspiration from for your designs?
We are inspired by the history and purpose of the original garments themselves.
We just look to restyle and update them for today.
We always design and Rework pieces we’d love to wear ourselves.
We are kind of designing for ourselves really.
You’re based in Derby – how much has the city influenced you?
My home town of Derby has had a big influence on me growing up, I guess we are all shaped by our environment.
I was bought up in a pub in two different working class areas of Derby, spent a lot of time in the bar as a kid most probably annoying the regulars.
My first ever “real” job after leaving school at 16 was as a YTS in the mid 80’s, working in an independent clothes store on Sadler Gate in Derby.
An historical pedestrianised street occupied by independent stores and bars, bit of a hot spot on a Saturday night back then.
I remember my first day at work walking down Sadler Gate thinking it was the centre of the world and at the time for me it really was!
It all started there really…
Moving away from menswear for a bit, are you a football fan?
I’m Derby County season ticket holder, the thin end of a very thin wedge, I guess many fans feel the same.
Though this season we might just sneak out of League 1.
My Dad bought me and my brother a season ticket to share when we were kids, taking it in turns to visit the old Baseball Ground.
Derby is a real footballing city with great support.
If Brian Clough had not left when he did, who knows where we’d be now….
COYR!
What about music?
Bit of mixed bag really.
But I guess I’m still a bit stuck in the 80’s & 90’s if the truth be told.
I always think we were really lucky, In the late 80’s along came acid house, raves, clubs and The Stone Roses.
Headed over to Venus in Notts and Money Pennys in Birmingham a fair bit in the early to mid 90’s, I think Shine On by Degrees in Motion was my top tune back in the day.
Then in the 90’s and today I’m still listening to The Stone Roses, The Verve, Happy Mondays, Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller, Oasis, (definitely fell on the side of Oasis vs Blur) Pulp, Cast, New Radicals, Massive Attack.
What are your aims for 2025 and beyond?
Good question…
Keep perfecting our craft and building the brand, we’ve got some super loyal customers for which we are really grateful, but building awareness for any small brand today is key.
In time we are looking to move from our current studio location, we are running out of space.
But apart from that we’d like to have a place where our customers can visit and see what, why and how we do, I guess it would be a real kind of “factory shop” a place of work with some kind of retail element.
Tell us more about your Snow Camo project…
One my travels I kind of stumbled across some military issue fabrics from the 80’ & 90’s, still on the roll, the fabrics and constructions are spot on. So for the very first time we developed different jacket patterns, not me I must say, fortunately I’m surrounded and supported by some very talented people, we then made the jackets here in Derby. Derby has a great textile history and tradition, though I’m not sure when was the last time anyone made jackets around here. The jackets are really unique, a short mini production run and really well received, it was a great little project for us and something we’ll do more of if we find the right materials again.
Where is the best place for people to find out more about the brand?
Probably the first port of call would be our online store reworked348.com or have a look at us on Instagram.
We’re always happy when people get in touch.
We are also stocked at Canopy Men’s Wear on Sadler Gate in Derby, James who runs the store is a mate and a great guy, it’s also two doors up from where I worked as a 16 year old, life’s a funny old game.
Finally, can you summarise Reworked 348 in only 3 words…
Reduce, Reuse, Rework
Casual Cultures 