The fashion industry has seen a growing call for more female representation in leadership roles, particularly in creative positions. Rejina Pyo, a Korean-born, London-based designer, understands this need for change. When she was approached by Mulberry, a British accessories giant, for a potential collaboration, she insisted on a team that included women in key positions. This focus on female voices is evident in the resulting collection, which launched on September 4th.
The Mulberry x Rejina Pyo collection embodies the essence of female community and womanhood, showcasing a sumptuous autumnal lineup. Shot by Gwen Trannoy and featuring Argentinian artist and designer Conie Vallese, the campaign beautifully captures the collection’s essence.
“Women bring a deeply personal and authentic perspective to design that resonates with the realities of living,” Pyo reflects. “Although the fashion industry has long been dominated by male voices, the clothes we wear as modern women are intimately connected to our moods, experiences and identities.”
Pyo’s design philosophy is deeply personal, inspired by her own experiences as a working woman balancing motherhood, family, and professional life. “For me, designing has always been about creating pieces that I, and the women around me, want to wear, inspired by our own stories. After having my second child, I became even more committed to exploring what it means to be a working woman today, balancing roles as a mother, daughter, wife and professional. Women deserve to feel confident, comfortable and powerful in what they wear, and who better to craft that experience than those who live it every day?”
The limited-edition collection includes 15 pieces, encompassing bags, jewelry, and surprisingly for Mulberry, ready-to-wear pieces. It offers a perfect blend of back-to-school polish and timeless elegance. From a laptop-ready leather tote and a cargo shoulder bag, to beaded earrings and Pyo’s signature scarf-detail knit, each piece is rendered in a warm, earthy palette of brown, khaki green, and grey.
“I thought about the woman we were creating these pieces for,” Pyo explains. “A woman who values quality and timelessness, who appreciates a quiet but lasting beauty.” She drew inspiration from the Mulberry archive, finding old treasures to rework with her signature touch, crafting a world that feels effortless and confident.
The Mulberry x Rejina Pyo collection embodies a “your fashion basics but better” sensibility, a consistent thread throughout Pyo’s career. From her MA at Central Saint Martins in 2011 and the launch of her eponymous label in 2013, to her award for British Emerging Talent in Womenswear at the British Fashion Awards in 2019 and high-street collaboration with & Other Stories in 2021, Pyo has consistently stayed true to her vision.
“When I first launched my brand, I found it incredibly confusing listening to advice from so many different people. There were times I ended up doing what others had suggested, even when my gut instinct was telling me otherwise,” she reveals. “It quickly became clear that it was not working, so I took a step back and started to filter the advice, listening to it and trying to learn from it, but not feel beholden to it. Following my own instincts was the beginning of the brand’s success.”
Pyo’s instincts have clearly served her well. Her partnership with Mulberry demonstrates her ability to stay connected to the fashion pulse. As a new generation of designers navigates the ever-changing fashion landscape, Pyo offers valuable advice: “I learned a lot from my tutor Louise Wilson at Central Saint Martins. She was extremely difficult to please, but Louise helped me to discover what my real strengths were as a designer, and then pushed me to become the best I could be with them. Her advice was, ‘Do what you do, and do it well! If you do that, then there will always be a place for it.’”
The Mulberry X Rejina Pyo collection is available to shop from mulberry.com.
