Wandering Flint

Wandering through the Wolds in the New Fold Dress in Ginger.

So, here’s the thing: I’m a one-woman band who works in the middle of nowhere. It’s literally me, sat sewing and designing, occasionally persuading my mother and sister to be photographed in the finished garments.

Personally, I like my slightly nomadic life as I’m somewhat of an introvert, but as my business grows and I interact more with the world outside my sewing room, I know this isn’t enough. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not attempting to sell a thousand dresses by Tuesday. After all, one of the factors that goes into creating sustainable fashion is remaining relatively small as a manufacturer. But lets face it, no matter how many times I would tell myself as a child that my sister and I were like chalk and cheese, I can no longer deny the fact that there really isn’t much difference between us aesthetically. In fact my brother-in-law got us confused once. On my wedding day.

So how on earth can I expect you all to imagine yourselves in these clothes, when you only see the same girl (plus a slightly older version, thanks Mum) in them time and again? Well, I can’t, and that’s where you come in.

Mum in the veg plot in her New Fold Dress in Rust.

When I started thinking seriously about the lack of diversity in my images my first thought (logically), was to hire people to model. And honestly the thought terrifies me a little. I have no idea where I would start - can I google it?! I will no doubt get my head around this one day soon, but the idea of professional models didn’t quite fit with my idea of the customers seeing themselves in Flint clothing either.

So how could you best see yourself in one of our garments? Well, by wearing them, right!? Flint clothing is made to be worn, and this is never going to come across fully in a photograph, no matter how many fields I run through. So I have decided to send some Flint a-wandering instead of me.

Neera in the Shard Shirt and Wrap Trousers in Sage. Photographed by Rosy on her phone - you don’t need a fancy camera to take part in #wanderingflint!

Our #wanderingflint will be sent out for you to wear for a week before sending back to the House of Flint for it to journey elsewhere. Have some adventures in these clothes, feel the fabric on your skin and, if you’d be so kind, take some photographs for us to share with those who have not yet taken part.

This initiative will help you to decide which Flint clothing to buy, and these photographs will help others see themselves in the garments too. Sign up to arrange your date with #wanderingflint here.

Melanie in the Eleanor Dress tiptoeing through the snowdrops.