Meet Arianne Burback | Sustainable Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arianne Burback and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arianne, what do you attribute your success to?
PASSION. I’ve been passionate about fashion since I was a little girl, styling myself and dolls for living room runway shows, and acquiring my first sewing machine at the ripe age of seven. Fast forward to just six months ago, I was currently majoring in computer science. For me, college felt like a safe route with guaranteed success. I’d sit in class, distractedly sketching my next design for my sewing hobby, which I’d already been side hustling under the name Garms 1 of 1. Thanks to a mixture of feeling burnt out and unhappy, I decided to pursue fashion design full time. I’m twenty now, waking up curious as to what I’ll create, excited to explore, and fueled by my love of clothing. To me, fashion is an art medium and can display a person’s interests and personality without even knowing their name. I’m passionate about sustainable fashion in particular, which grew naturally from my love for thrifting.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Garms 1 of 1 is a fusion of streetwear and wearable art rooted in sustainability. The fashion industry, and fast-fashion in particular, are incredibly damaging to our environment. We can’t stop the environmental impact all-together, the purpose of Garms 1 of 1 is to create awareness and emphasize the uniqueness of upcylced clothing. Each creation by Garms is made from recycled textiles; the latest collection for Denver Fashion Week’s S/S Sustainability night, titled “You Are 1 of 1,” features upcycled football pads, keyboards, tablecloths, military duffel bags, racing gear, belts, plastic, metal, and other “trash” to create 16 groundbreaking looks. What you wear should make you feel good, and there’s nothing fresher than combining your own self expression with eco-conscientious style. Not to mention, each garment is 1 of 1 kind, offering timeless flare to your wardrobe.

Being a sustainable designer is almost an entirely different ballpark than conventional design. Not only is it better for the environment, but it provides different challenges that I enjoy. For example, a conventional designer may select a fabric, draft a pattern, cut, and sew. For me, I take pre-made garments and cut, tear, spray paint, sew, detail, and whatever else it takes to bring a new life to the clothing. I face very different obstacles than conventional designers, but view them as creative challenges. Each piece created is like a puzzle. The process of each piece is entirely different, which I think is one of the best things about my day-to-day life in sustainable design.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m based in Casper, Wyoming, but frequently travel to Denver, which has grown to become one of my favorite cities in the U.S. The rise of the fashion scene has been invigorating to both witness and lead. When I’m in Denver, I find inspiration in the colorful environment, expressive individuals, and overall culture of the area. I shop sustainably for both project material and personal use, and many second hand stores such as Regal Vintage, 2nd Street South Broadway, Boss Vintage, and Goldmine Vintage resonate well with my aesthetic of workwear and heavy-duty materials. An art classic is Meow Wolf Denver, which I can only explain by saying it’s overstimulating in all the best ways. The use of “trash art,” or art created by second hand materials is inspiring and amazing to be surrounded by. The RiNo district is another favorite place of mine to spend time, admiring the culture of Denver Fashion and graffiti street art. Of course, my favorite Denver event is Denver Fashion Week, which I’ve both attended and participated in— a must see.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The success of Garms 1 of 1 is not all due to myself. I’m so grateful for the love and support of my friends and family, especially my grandmother. Darlene Dimas-Valdez was born in 1949 in Sunrise, Wyoming, now a ghost town. Growing up in a low-income household, one of her favorite things to do was design clothes that her mother would then sew from scrap material. After high school, she dreamt of a career in art or design, but was never able to pursue this lifestyle whilst raising three children of her own, a fourth step child, and working full time. I grew up with a single mother who worked long hours at a hospital, and spent a lot of time with my grandmother growing up. Every Halloween, she’d hand make a costume for me to wear, even winning first place at a local costume contest one year. I was infatuated with watching her sew: the creativity and craftsmanship, often working without a pattern and using leftover scraps of fabric. She had the patience to teach me the sewing skills she had learned from her mother, but ultimately let me explore and use my own creativity. I would sew outfits for my dolls, while she made me one to match. Her unwavering support has meant the world to me, and has inspired me to work hard every day. Truly, I would not be where I am today without her. Frequently, her and my grandfather hand-pick second-hand clothing for me to re-work, and I often visit them to show off the projects I’m working on. Her first time attending a Garms 1 of 1 runway show was this spring at Denver Fashion Week, where Garms 1 of 1 headlined Sustainability (opening) night. I watched tears fill her eyes from behind the curtain, and presented her a rose during my designer walkout. Thank you, grandma, for encouraging me to follow my dreams.

Website: https://www.garms1of1.com

Instagram: @garms1of1

Facebook: @garms1of1

Youtube: @garms1of1

Other: TikTok: @garms1of1

Image Credits
photo walking through models & photo in front of models: Weston Mosburg (@weston.mosburg)
photo blowing kiss with flowers & photo of grandma: Mio Sison (@_photomaki)
studio photos: Cari Faye Antonovich (@carifaye)