Upcycling is at the heart of Heart Couture, a fashion label built by Jodie Tian. The 21-year-old uses reclaimed materials to create one-off garments, blending sustainability with whimsical design.
Jodie Tian grew up learning to sew out of necessity rather than art. Her family viewed clothing as functional, but Jodie’s focus was always on creativity. She spent time around the house, turning ripped curtains and mesh loofahs into tiny dresses for her dolls. This early practice taught her how to “make use of the beautiful things that already exist.”
From doll clothes to haute couture
Now in her final year of the Bachelor of Design (Fashion and Sustainability) at Collarts, Tian has launched her own brand, Heart Couture. The name references her Chinese name, which literally means “heart,” and serves as a homophone for haute couture. Her work includes delicate rosettes made from mohair, cable-knit tops covered in cross-stitched bunnies, and singlets with vintage buttons.
Tian credits her brand to a Capstone Project during her second year of university. She designs unique, one-off pieces that focus on reclaimed materials. The process often involves deadstock fabrics and thrifted embellishments that would otherwise sit unused.
“Creativity comes not from excess but rather from restraint,” Tian says. Working with finite resources forces her imagination to expand, even when physical options are limited. This approach allows her to produce something beautiful without causing environmental damage.
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Her designs often reference art and film. Tian cites the pastel haze of a Sofia Coppola set, the lyricism of Lana Del Rey, and the cultural heritage of Guo Pei. She views fashion as a form of protest, inspired by designers like Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.
Tian finds motivation in the people who wear her creations. She has received messages from customers who felt beautiful in her tops and stories of people crying over a bonnet from a recent collaboration. These interactions keep her focused on her craft.
Growing the brand
She balances her studies with building her business with the support of Collarts’ industry educators. Tian has collaborated directly with brands and been stocked in stores. The university environment, she says, is where abstract dreams become tangible.
Looking ahead, Tian plans to spend her final semester in Paris on an exchange program. She is working behind the scenes to launch a website for Heart Couture and remains open to collaboration. The brand is slowly moving from student projects to a full-scale business, proving that sustainability can coexist with high fashion.