About us
Esablished 1992, Psychomoda is a couture designer fashion store in situated in the heart of Edinburghs old town.
On the premises, designer, Alison Harm designs and makes both ready to wear and made to measure clothing.
There are two collections in store. Firstly, the couture collection which is created from top quality textiles, mostly British wool, and tartan features heavily. Using heritage fabrics in a non traditional way is a speciality, and all sizes are considered in the design process. There are garments that have been specifically designed to suit curvy or mature figures, as well as slim and petit.
As well as the couture collection, there is an ever changing range of sustainably created clothing, made from remnants, vintage fabrics and found cloth etc. This range tends to be my most creative work, with elements of historical costume and avant garde influence. I don't upload these items to the website generally because they are all one off items and as such are not repeatable. These items can mostly be seen in store, or on my Instagram and Facebook pages.
On top of all this, I offer a full design and make couture service. With over 45 years experience, I can design exclusively for you, both traditional and modern and in any fabric you choose, whether its silk or lace, or anything ! Just contact me with your special request and together we can design your perfect look.
Sustainability Manifesto
Since the advent of fast fashion in the 1980s the fashion industry has become one of the worst polluters of the planet , second only to the oil industry in its waste products , water and air pollution.
Millions of people around the world , usually young women work long hours in unsanitary and dangerous factories , usually for pitifully small wages , which their employers think nothing of withholding from them for the slightest reason. Child and slave labour are not uncommon, and unions are banned.
Large swathes of land are given over to crops such as cotton , and millions of gallons of water are used , polluted and put back into the water system full of chemicals and dyes . Biodiversity is lost and animal species are disappearing , replaced by generic crops and herd animals for the production of leather and wool.
Traditional crafts are lost forever as lifestyles change and people must work in factories to make a living.
Natural resources like oil are being depleted for the creation of artificial fibres like polyester, precious metals and minerals are mined, creating ruined landscapes and poverty wages for those who mine them.
Once the garments are in the home , they continue on their cycle of harming the planet , using massive amounts of water in unnecessary excess laundering, shedding micro plastics into the waterways and being discarded into landfill after only a few wears.
All because of our insatiable desire for more clothes, at a cheaper and cheaper price.
In my own studies I have reckoned that clothes are now average 277% cheaper now than they were in the 1980s. High street giants not only feed this greed , they have made clothes into a disposable commodity .
We all as the world population need to come together to stop this massive wheel from turning. This begins at home. Buying less, making better choices, only getting things that we will wear frequently, re-using, handing down, and recycling. Supporting eco textiles that are produced without harming the planet. There are other ways we can all make a small difference.
The problem will not end until the massive companies take note, and laws are changed but until then we can all start changing our mind set towards a more sustainable future. The high street chains will change if enough of us demand it. I've seen changes for the better already as more and more people become aware of the problem.
As a life long career designer, I have always tried my best to offer an interesting alternative to fast fashion. As a student we were expected to join that industry but I rebelled and followed my own path. I have been self employed for over 30 years.
To start with, just the fact that my garments are individually hand made already makes them more sustainable, but I am keen to go further than that.
I try to create interesting and unusual garments that catch the eye, and draw peoples attention, offering an alternative that makes the wearer, and those who see it, think a bit about what they wear, who made it , and whether it is contributing to the problem or the solution.
I believe there is no point in me churning out the same kind of things that you buy anywhere else, I want my customers to stand out, and feel special. Feel part of the growing sustainable movement.
I also create artistic costume pieces, mostly from recycled items and scraps, for photography or fashion shows, which I then publish on my social media along with researched information relating to sustainability. my intention is to catch the attention of readers and inspire them to make sustainable choices of their own.
a lot of my pieces are made from, or include recycled, or upcycled or remnant fabric. I will continue doing this , and use less new fabric .
When I use new fabric I will endeavour to support companies that are producing in a more eco or animal friendly manner. I'll look for recycled yarns and organic cottons, recycled polyesters etc.
I will update and change my sustainable practice as I learn more and find more ways of doing so. I shall consider it a learning process, for both myself and my interested customers.
I have a facebook group called Sustainable clothing for everyone , where we share articles and general knowledge and tips about how to make a difference in our own wardrobe choices.
I produce an annual fashion event here in Edinburgh called #ReFashion Edinburgh. I invite nine other like minded designers to participate. Please read about that in the section of that name here on my website.