From grandmother's sewing room to Geelong label: Jade's vintage fashion revival

A GEELONG seamstress is keeping fun fashion alive by finding beauty in vintage fabrics and transforming them into bespoke pieces – all thanks to her grandmother.

Jade Auffray has been sewing since she was a teenager, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, a talented seamstress who arrived in Australia from Mauritius and built a career behind a sewing machine.

Now, Auffray is continuing that legacy through her brand Mémé’s Closet, using her grandmother’s original machines and inherited textile collection to create bespoke garments.

Her 1950s Singer and 1970s Husqvarna sewing machines sit pride of place in the studio, representing thousands of hours of work across several continents and generations.

Jade Auffray uses her grandmother’s sewing machines, brought to Australia from Maruritius. RIGHT: Crochet blankets have been a staple for Mémé’s closet’s winter collection. Photos: Matthew O’Donnell/Hails + Shine.

“Most of [the fabric collection] came from the 50s, 60s and 70s,” Auffray said.

“My grandmother kept lots of different textiles from that time period. And as she’s gotten older, she just hasn’t used it, so I inherited the majority of it.

“Everything is super unique. Some of these textiles, you just can’t find anymore and I give them new life.”

Auffray was inspired to return to sewing after struggling to find the bright and bold clothing she wanted for herself and her young children.

Crochet blankets have been a staple for Mémé’s closet’s winter collection. Photo: Matthew O’Donnell/Hails + Shine.

What began as a creative outlet quickly grew into Mémé’s Closet, with Auffray now creating handmade pieces from her tiny home studio.

“I was like, OK I really want to make this happen and make clothes more for myself and for my kids,” she said.

“I love making clothes. I’ll spend hours in here and lose track of time.”

For Auffray, Mémé’s Closet is more than just colourful clothing. She hopes to preserve slow creative processes and practical skills while challenging the throwaway nature of fast fashion.

Jade Auffray inherited most of her textile collection from her grandmother. Photo: Matthew O’Donnell/Hails + Shine.

She also enjoys creating items that are comfortable, not just beautiful, helping her customers look great without restrictive clothing.

“My grandmother taught me that relationship between creating and taking the time to make something really beautiful and really special,” she said.

“I’ve really taken that on and it’s really special to have her a part of this and to be able to have her see all of this too.”

Alongside her inherited collection, Auffray searches locally for vintage textiles to incorporate into her work.

“I’m upcycling all kinds of things from bed sheets to tablecloths and curtains,” she said.

Mémé’s closet founder Jade Auffray upcycles vintage textiles to create bold, colourful clothing. Photo: Matthew O’Donnell/Hails + Shine.

“Crochet blankets have been a really big one recently. There’s so many around and the ladies were just crocheting their lives away.”

Despite her extensive collection of materials, Auffray is determined to use every piece of fabric she has.

“I keep every single thread and scrap piece and then create it into something else eventually. It’s just really important that we are mindful of our waste,” she said.

Mémé’s Closet can be found online through its website and Instagram pages.