At Re/lax Remade, we’re often asked about the story behind our signature hats — specifically, how we source the towels and transform them into something truly unique. We thought it was about time to take you behind the scenes and give you an in-depth look at the care and creativity that goes into each piece we create.
In this post, Karina, our founder and creative director, shares the step-by-step journey of a Re/lax Remade hat — from sourcing vintage towels to the final product. Every hat we make is a labor of love, blending sustainable practices with artisanal craftsmanship. Let’s dive into the process!
The Creative Process Behind Re/lax Remade: A Love Story with Vintage Towels
At Re/lax Remade, our design process is anything but conventional. It’s not about sketching out concepts or browsing mood boards. For me, the creative process has always been about the materials — and specifically, the towels we use to create our signature hats.
Why towels? It’s not just because of their beauty or practicality, but because of my deep love for vintage textiles and my commitment to sustainability. Every decision I make is rooted in the unique qualities of the towels themselves — their era, condition, colours, patterns, weave, and weight. Each towel has a history, and I work to honour that in every design. Let me take you through my process.
Material-Led Design: A Love Affair with Vintage Towels
The journey starts with the towels themselves. Instead of drawing out designs or gathering inspiration from external sources, I immerse myself in the materials. I literally sit on the floor, surrounded by hundreds of towels, and let the magic happen. I put on my favourite music and slip into a sort of trance, as I touch, pair, and catalogue the towels — sometimes for hours at a time.
This is my guilty pleasure — my weekend retreat when the studio is quiet, and the machines have stopped whirring. It’s a meditative process where I listen to the towels, feeling their texture, studying their condition, and allowing their histories to speak to me. Some are almost a century old, and each one carries a story that guides how I approach its design.
Listening to the Towels: A Conversation in Texture and Colour
The towels have lived many different lives, and each one brings its own energy to the table. Some are elegant, their velour soft and plush, while others have a more playful vibe, with vibrant stripes or retro patterns. Their age, wear, and individual quirks dictate their "sensibility" — the way the grain might fall crookedly on one, or how the stitches grip tighter on another.
I am always telling my team: “Listen to the towel. It will tell you what it needs.” Each towel behaves differently and needs its own unique handling. The goal is to honour those qualities, allowing the material to guide the design rather than forcing a pattern onto it.
Over time, I’ve designed eleven unique hat styles to showcase the different personalities of the towels. For instance:
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Freya is an opulent, more structured shape that suits velour towels or floral jacquard. It’s a style that exudes elegance and luxury, perfect for the more refined vintage towels in our collection.
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Frankie on the other hand, is laid-back and beachy, ideal for playful stripes or retro patchwork. It’s a style that speaks to the carefree, whimsical nature of towels with a playful spirit.
- Scout is casual and easygoing, a hat that works beautifully with towels that have a worn-in patina — the ones that have lived a full life and show signs of it.
The Ultimate Goal: Elevating the Material
The ultimate goal of this entire process is simple: to honour the material. It’s about elevating these vintage towels, breathing new life into them, and creating something that feels both authentic and intentional.
I want to introduce these towels to a new audience — people who may not otherwise be aware of the beauty and history that exists within these textiles. Each towel we use tells a story, and it’s my job to honour that story by bringing it back to life in a way that feels both fresh and timeless.
We’re not just making hats; we’re creating pieces that embody a sense of craft, history, and sustainability. It’s about connecting the past with the present and giving new value to these beautiful, forgotten materials. When you wear a Re/lax Remade hat, you’re not just wearing a style statement — you’re wearing a piece of history.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Re/lax Remade. By upcycling vintage towels, we’re able to reduce waste and create something both beautiful and functional. This process isn’t just about creating fashion; it’s about making mindful, sustainable choices that respect both the materials and the planet.
Every hat we make is a result of patience, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the materials we work with. We believe that sustainability and style can — and should — go hand in hand. And through this process, we hope to inspire others to appreciate the beauty of reimagined vintage materials, and the value of sustainability in design.
The Future of Re/lax Remade
As we continue to grow, the creative process will always remain the same — a journey rooted in the material itself. Every towel, every texture, and every stitch is a chance to explore new possibilities, to tell a new story, and to bring something fresh and unique into the world.
Thank you for following along with our journey. We’re so excited to keep sharing our creative process and sustainable designs with you. If you have any questions or want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you!
Stay connected, and don’t forget to follow us for more behind-the-scenes looks at the world of Re/lax Remade.
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