Recession-chic fashion... from hot air balloons

Christopher Raeburn took inspiration from the Second World War - when wedding dresses were made from parachute silk - to create jackets, bags and accessories.

The collection is made from the heat-resistant coated nylon Virgin uses for its balloons, and the cotton uniforms of Eurostar staff.

Mr Raeburn worked on the designs with Worn Again, a firm which "upcycles" discarded materials into clothes. Its chief executive Cyndi Rhoades said: "We've taken something as everyday as a uniform and have come up with an innovative solution."

Mr Raeburn, whose clothes are sold by Liberty and Brown's Focus, said: "I make garments from parachutes so hot air balloons was a natural progression. People are starting to think of other uses for things - they are looking for longevity from products they buy."

Virgin's balloons fly trips across Britain, and are sent to London when they are decommissioned after 500 flights.

Clothes bins have been put in Eurostar's European terminals, encouraging staff to drop off old uniforms. They are sent to factories in Whitechapel and Stratford, where the clothes are made.

This is Worn Again's first British-made collection. A percentage of sales will go to Anti-Apathy, a charity that backs "creative" approaches to environmental issues - such as fashion.

The clothes will be sold at Eco Age in Chiswick, in Terra Plana footwear stores and on Worn Again's website.