Rejina Pyo & Other Stories: Shop The Collection Now Before It Sells Out

Rejina Pyo is a fan of power dressing. ‘Not in the ’80s shoulders, literal way,’ she points out, but in that she is a champion of how much impact clothes can have on our mood. It’s a spirit she’s dived head first into with her new collection for & Other Stories, which bridges the dual demands of what we want now (ease, comfort, but not necessarily of the elasticated-waist variety) with how we’ll want to dress next (polish, elegance, impact). There is something inherently hopeful about the designs – these aren’t clothes to be kept hidden indoors.

It might sum up the essence of how we want to dress in spring 2021, but the Rejina Pyo & Other Stories collection is designed to be relevant for much longer. Thanks to its accessible price tags and excellent command of trends, the high street has long been a go-to for seasonal updates. But can it really ever deliver investment pieces? Absolutely, says Pyo, whose intention for the capsule is that the pieces will be ‘future vintage one day, that can be handed down from grandmother to mother to daughter’. The belted, square-neck jacket or knotted silk-blend top, for instance, are destined for ‘forever’ status.

The winner of the Emerging Talent Award for Womenswear at the 2019 Fashion Awards, Pyo receives countless collaboration requests – but she is picky about who she works with. What appealed to her about the & Other Stories partnership was that the brand was ‘super accommodating’ about her passion for sustainability. This translates not just into the collection’s enduring aesthetic but the use of premium, eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton and responsibly-sourced wool.

Just as Pyo was committed to using sustainable materials, she was also adamant that the collection wouldn’t be a ‘half- done’ version of her catwalk collections. ‘The customers are very smart,’ she says. ‘I want them to have the full experience of our clothes with our DNA.’ This translates into zingy colours, architectural – but flattering – silhouettes and soft tailoring, all of them delivering ease and impact in equal measure. Her signature puffed sleeved dresses are also present: ‘The sleeves are almost too big...they could scare some people off,’ she laughs.

Despite being one of the London design scene’s most in-demand names (Meghan Markle is just one of her A-list fans), what thrills Pyo most is seeing her pieces out in the real world. ‘When I design, I think about the women who surround me in different worlds and they’re working and doing their thing,’ she says, adding that she found inspiration for this collection in her own wardrobe and ‘how we dress in everyday life’.

Although she admits that what everyday looks like has changed beyond recognition, Pyo thinks that clothes hold the same alchemic power as always. ‘After spending however many days in your sweatpants, you realise fashion’s ability to transform and transport us has not changed. As long as we have that desire we will still enjoy fashion.’ She can’t wait to wear the sunny yellow and orange dresses as soon as she can. ‘I don’t think anyone will be afraid to be overdressed after all this!’