Ivonne Pacheco’s crochet pieces range from water bottle holders and scrunchies to jumpers with balloon sleeves and rounded bloomer shorts. Working with leftover yarn and materials bought second hand, she uses colour and shape to give familiar garments a different form.
Born in Mexico and based in London, Ivonne runs GIDDY, a crochet and fibre brand built around making pieces by hand and with lasting use in mind.
Teaching herself to crochet gave Ivonne a way to bring her interest in fashion together with her concern for nature. She wanted to design clothes without relying on a constant cycle of new materials and passing trends.
“I’m a big fan of fashion and have always wanted to design, but I also love and respect nature, so I needed to find a way to make sure what I made had a purpose, an intention, and a uniqueness that would make it a piece to transcend trends.”
Press Photo Credits: Tasha Bradley
For Ivonne, making clothes to last also means thinking beyond a single season. Her choice of materials and designs allows her to make crochet for different times of year, while GIDDY’s colours, patterns and shapes offer plenty of room for personal expression.
“The misconception that crochet and knitwear pieces are boring or only seasonal. There are many materials that can be used to ensure these pieces are wearable in every season.”
Press Photo Credits: Tasha Bradley
Shape became an interest early in her practice. Following patterns helped her learn the techniques, but she wanted to move beyond the basics and find her own way of constructing a garment.
“I was constantly following patterns, and while these helped me develop the skills needed, I knew I wanted to delve more into improvised ways I could bring a contemporary approach to my projects.”
One recent set began with a gift of yarn in purples, greens and blues that reminded her of Monet’s water lilies. She took inspiration from the flowers’ shapes as well as their colours, recalling that she had “no option but to follow the roundness of the flowers,” as she developed the design. The result was a cropped jumper with wide balloon sleeves that narrow from elbow to wrist, paired with bloomer shorts that echo those rounded forms.
Press Photo Credits: Tasha Bradley
She connects her use of colour to her Mexican heritage:
“It’s (colour) in my blood… Culturally, we embrace and appreciate tradition while acknowledging the beauty and complexities of modernity.”
She wants that confidence with colour and shape to carry through to the people wearing her work. Alongside that freedom to experiment is a practical concern: making pieces people will keep and use.
Her accessories include scrunchies, water bottle holders, hoods and bags. She has also collaborated with Axel Arigato on accessories for its shoes. Bespoke orders give her another way to develop ideas with the person who will wear them; at the time of the interview, she was working on an order for a performer.
“I’m all about collaboration, and I enjoy the process of developing ideas—both my own and other people’s. These pieces will reflect the artist’s persona and tell the story of who they are.”
Press Photo Credits: Tasha Bradley
That wish to make something personal runs through GIDDY, from a garment shaped by a painting to an accessory developed with its wearer. Ivonne wants people to feel giddy when they see or wear her work, and to feel comfortable choosing the colours and shapes that appeal to them.
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Press Shots Photo Credits: Tasha Bradley (@tashabradleyy)