Taking inspiration from the 70s, When Work is Over is a ready-to-wear collection that incorporates upcycling of second-hand garments and fabrics. Blending the aesthetics of office wear and disco, the collection illustrates the contrast between the monotony of the 9-to-5 workday and the joy of unwinding afterward—whether going out or simply going home. Classic office silhouettes are deconstructed and reimagined with playful elements like colorful beads, fringes, and sheer fabrics. Materials reminiscent of 1970s interior design—such as crochet and corduroy—add nostalgic texture and warmth, evoking the comfort of relaxing at home.
When Work Is Over
2021
Moodboard
Paco Rabanne
Eastern Airlines reservation center, Miami 1970.
Collection development
Look 2
Bubble hem long blazer and hand printed mock neck mini dress
Prototype with two different sleeve options
I carved a linocut stamp inspired by crochet granny squares, then used it to create a checkerboard-style print.
Front shirt pannels before printing
Every other square was hand beaded, and they were all attached together with rows of beads.
First blouse prototype, with a longer sleeve
To create the denim fringes, I used strips of secondhand denim that I frayed by hand by pulling the threads.
Blouse prototype.
The top half of the final blouse was made out of a second-hand button up shirt and the upside down collar was added on.
First granny square placement, closer together then on the final garment
Upcycled blazer and button-up shirt turned two piece set.
Fringes made from frayed organza
Look 1
Organdi cropped button-up shirt, upcycled crochet blanket vest and color-block corduroy trousers.
Look 3
Block printed corduroy overshirt with organza wide leg pants.
Look 4
Cropped blouse and fringe denim pants
Look 5
Upcycled crochet blanket mini dress and collar.
Look 6
Credits:
Photographer: Grace Turnbull
Stylist & Designer: Héloïse Bernard
Models: Ann-Julie Richard & Rachel Pierre