Latest news with #JoshHembry
Wales Online
3 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Anyone with wardrobe in their bedroom told to 'make a decision fast'
Anyone with wardrobe in their bedroom told to 'make a decision fast' Brits have been warned that the issue can be hard to detect, but there are common warning signs Households warned to look out for signs of dry rot in their wardrobes (Image: Getty) Clothing specialists are urging anyone who has a wardrobe at home to 'make a swift decision and act fast' if they notice a musty smell. This type of smell can be a warning sign of dry rot, as experts reveal a hidden fabric fault could be quietly destroying much-loved clothes. The warning comes from clothing specialists at Messina Hembry , who say long-term storage, moisture, and poor ventilation are causing garments to rot from the inside out. Dry rot is a term often used to describe the breakdown of fabric caused by age, moisture, and lack of ventilation, which can severely weaken the structural integrity of clothing fibres. Once dry rot sets in, it's important to act fast and decide where else to store your clothes, as fabric will become brittle and prone to tearing—often beyond repair. The damage is most common in cotton, linen, and silk items stored in damp or sealed environments, such as plastic garment bags or unventilated lofts. Even though dry rot can happen any time of the year, summer is especially dangerous for it to grow and spread, particularly after a wet winter followed by a warm summer. For dry rot to flourish, it needs moisture, warmth, and something to feed on (like wood). Some sources mention that warm and humid conditions can speed up its growth. Signs of dry rot in clothes can be subtle at first but become more obvious over time, so families are being told to look out for faded or discoloured patches, particularly along folds and creases, as well as a musty or damp smell coming from the wardrobe. When handled, affected garments may also feel brittle and crumble easily when tugged or stretched. Signs of dry rot in clothes can be subtle at first Article continues below Fortunately, there are ways to protect your wardrobe from dry rot setting in, including using breathable covers like cotton or muslin, as well as silica gel packets or moisture absorbers. Josh Hembry, the COO of second-hand clothes retailer Messina Hembry said: "Dry rot in clothes is something most people don't notice until it's too late, when you go to wear something and it literally crumbles in your hands. "It's heartbreaking when it happens to a vintage piece you've looked after for years - especially when it could have been avoided. We always recommend storing your most precious garments in a breathable cover, keeping them away from heat and moisture, and refolding items now and then to stop stress building along the same creases. A few simple changes can really extend the life of your clothes." Five tips to prevent dry rot in clothes 1. Avoid plastic bags or airtight boxes for long-term storage Josh said: "While plastic bags and airtight containers may seem like a good way to protect clothes from dust and pests, they can actually trap moisture inside, creating a damp environment that encourages dry rot and mould to develop. Instead, choose breathable storage options that allow air to circulate around your garments, reducing the risk of fibre damage." There are ways to protect your wardrobe from dry rot setting in (Image: Getty) 2. Store garments in cool, dry, and well-ventilated areas Heat and humidity are key factors that speed up fabric deterioration, so keeping clothes in a cool and dry space helps preserve the fibres and prevent rot. Josh says well-ventilated areas allow fresh air to flow, which discourages dampness and keeps your wardrobe smelling fresh. Avoid storing clothes in cellars, basements, attics, or cupboards that are prone to moisture build-up. 3. Wash clothes before storing to remove body oils and dirt Oils from skin and sweat, along with dirt and food stains, can accelerate fabric breakdown if left on garments during storage. "Washing clothes thoroughly before putting them away helps remove these residues. This not only keeps them clean but also reduces the risk of dry rot developing over time", Josh added. Article continues below 4. Refold items regularly to prevent damage along creases Leaving clothes folded in the same way for months or years can cause fibres to weaken along crease lines. Regularly refolding garments or hanging them up can help distribute stress more evenly across the fabric. "This simple habit slows down the breakdown of fibres and keeps your clothes looking their best for longer," Josh said 5. Use breathable clothes covers and moisture absorbers Josh says: "Breathable garment covers made from cotton or muslin protect clothes from dust while allowing air to circulate, preventing trapped moisture. Adding moisture absorbers, like silica gel packets or specialised dehumidifiers, to wardrobes or storage boxes can also help maintain an ideal environment and reduce the risk of dry rot and mildew."
Fashion United
28-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Fashion's authenticity crisis: How to spot a vintage luxury fake
As resale platforms fuel fashion's latest boom and vintage garments gain cultural cachet, the market for second-hand designer clothing has never been more alluring, or more precarious. Amid the flood of archival Gucci, Hedi Slimane Saint Laurent, and Y2K Prada populating digital storefronts and curated boutiques, there is a shadowy undercurrent: the sophisticated fake. In a moment where authenticity is currency, the ability to discern genuine craftsmanship from counterfeited illusion is no longer a niche skill, it's a professional imperative. "With everyone able to sell online, not every piece has passed through a scrutinising eye," says Josh Hembry, COO of vintage retailer Messina Hembry, a site that trades heavily in sought-after archival fashion. "That's why it's vital that buyers, and even seasoned stylists, know how to spot the tells." Messina Hembry's team, which routinely sifts through piles of vintage stock, offers six pragmatic tips that underscore how subtle — and deliberate — the signs of a counterfeit can be. First: feel before you buy Luxury is tactile. The fabric, especially in older pieces, is often the first tell. Genuine designer garments are constructed from premium materials that wear well over time, cashmeres that don't pill, silks that don't snag, cottons that hold their shape. By contrast, fakes often favour synthetic blends that feel off to the touch and lack weight or texture. Leather, a favourite target for counterfeiters, should feel supple and unevenly grained, not plasticky and uniform. The best way to assess fabric quality? Handle vintage. Go to physical resale shops and touch real pieces from the '80s and '90s. Learn the hand of a real Margiela wool or a Chloé crepe. Online? Ask for a close-up of the textile, and trust your instincts if something looks too shiny, thin, or structured. Stitching and structure: The devil in the details You don't need a tailor's eye to spot poor construction. Inconsistencies in stitching, especially around labels, pockets, and hemlines, are a dead giveaway. Look for loose threads, mismatched thread colour, or unusually bulky seams. High-end garments are finished cleanly. Labels are often sewn in invisibly; if you flip one over and find messy threads or excess glue, move on. Fastenings too, are revealing. Branded zips, often YKK or RiRi, should glide smoothly and feel weighty. Buttons may carry discreet engravings, and even interior linings should feel considered, not like an afterthought. Logos lie, but subtly Logos can be deceiving. While counterfeiters have moved beyond the cartoonishly bad spellings of the early 2000s, their mistakes now lie in placement and precision. Slight off-centering, fuzzy embroidery, or misaligned patterns may be all that separates a real Dior Saddle Bag from a convincing fake. Always compare details, logo spacing, font weight, label stitching, against images from the brand's own archive or trusted stockists. Genuine sellers expect these questions; evasiveness should be your first red flag. The invisible signature: care labels Ironically, one of the most telling signs of a fake may be a tiny, overlooked patch of polyester: the care label. Brands have become meticulous in standardising this text block, which often contains not only washing instructions but also country of origin, fabric content, and a product code. Fakes may feature spelling errors, misaligned text, or missing fields altogether. If the label is missing entirely, ask why. It's worth noting that some vintage pieces, specially from before the 1980s, may lack modern care labels. But for anything purporting to be recent designer stock, a clean, informative tag is essential. Sizing should make sense Inconsistencies in sizing are another warning sign. High-end brands tend to stick to regional size standards and maintain proportional cutting. If a piece marked as EU38 fits like a UK10 in the body but a UK14 in the arms, something is off. It's also wise to cross-reference size tags against what the brand was using in that specific era: tags evolve, but not arbitrarily. Why this matters now The risk of fakes isn't just about personal regret, it's a reputational issue for professionals operating in fashion's new secondary economy. Stylists pulling for shoots, buyers sourcing for clients, even brand archivists — all are increasingly active in resale ecosystems where authentication protocols vary wildly. With luxury resale predicted to become a 50 billion dollar market globally by 2028, the infiltration of fakes isn't a side issue. It's central to the sector's credibility. If fashion is to present resale as a pillar of circular sustainability, it must address the authenticity crisis with rigour. Digital Product Passports, mandatory under the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation by 2026, may eventually serve as a technological shield. But until then, the responsibility lies with the buyer, the curator, the critic. After all, the counterfeit problem isn't just about fooling the masses. It's about undermining the very essence of fashion: craft, heritage, and the idea that some things, well made, well worn, are worth preserving.
