I love me a ripped tee. I do. It reminds me of all the Glass Tiger concerts that I never went to. Maybe this is why I am in love with the “shred” and it is top trend right now. It seems like there are so SO many old (perfectly worn thin) t-shirts lying around just waiting for a make-over. LA based eco designer Raquel Allegra does not shy away from deconstruction. Her fall 2009 collection reworks elements of shirring, draping, new lines and soft earthy tie-dying methods evoking hot dry weathered fashion. Male and female looks for the modern Native American styled street kids. Fancy and gritty all at once. Her website has little to say about her methods but luckily the Eco-Collection newsletter at the Magic Trade show in Vegas reported on her designs:

“DIY and eco-consciousness are major components of trends that come from the street. Taking vintage tee shirts or jeans and shredding them for a new look has a hold on global street trends and influences high-end design. Raquel Allegra takes old tee shirts from the L.A. county jail and reworks them into shredded tees…”