London based Molly Hayward is a woman of many talents, or as her Instagram bio states: ‘jack of all trades, master of none.’ However it’s clear from her work that she is, in fact, a master of many. At just 21, Molly is a model, stylist, artist, photographer, designer and entrepreneur, although she prefers to think of herself as a ‘creative’ – “I’ve always found myself doing 5 things at once and don’t think I’ll ever be any different,’’ she says.
Founder of the Depop store NotJustTrash, Molly’s approach to sustainable fashion showcases her reworked rare finds which have amassed a following of nearly 35k and been featured in music videos, catalogue shoots, and more. The name, she states, comes from the “untruthful, snobby and uneducated responses of people that say second hand clothes are gross,” and it’s clear from her page that the clothes she thrifts are anything but. Full of 90s inspired redesigned and upcycled corsets, cargo trousers, mini skirts and mesh tops, NotJustTrash is the embodiment of beauty. Earlier this year, Molly Hayward released her collection ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ and later started creating styled bundles under names such as ‘00s bratz with a 90s twist’ and ‘ethereal garden fairy’, but the piece of work that she’s most proud of is herself. “That’s been a lot of work and I’m proud of where I am.”
To Molly, fashion is a form of self-expression, a way of letting go and stepping outside of her comfort zone. “It’s always been a pick-me-up and generally has a positive impact on my mood.” Although she loves all parts of what she does and is keen to always ‘do a bit of everything here and there,’ she says that sourcing the clothes or reading her reviews bring her the most joy. Her fashion enterprise has already landed her endless opportunities such as styling jobs, modelling work, and new friendships, but Molly has big plans for the future of NotJustTrash, including widening her shop and creating a sister brand for selling her own designs.
Sheesh Magazine chatted with Molly Hayward about sustainability, creativity, individuality, and more.
Q: When and why did you start your Depop shop?
MOLLY HAYWARD: I first started Depop when I was around 15. I had been using my Instagram platform to promote clothing from various stores when I decided it didn’t sit right with me receiving so many free items everyday, sometimes ones I didn’t even like, that I then had to promote on my Instagram to my followers. It just didn’t feel like I was being honest, so I packed it in and decided to sell the pieces I didn’t want on Depop. I started as ‘@mxlss_’ or something but after a year or so of selling on that account, I decided I wanted to start my own shop selling clothing that I had sourced and went from there. I couldn’t work out how to change my Depop name, I don’t know if it’s even possible, so I started NotJustTrash.
Q: How did you get into fashion, photography and styling?
MOLLY HAYWARD: I grew up in Charity shop clothing and hand-me-downs. I’m one of seven, so I often found myself in my brother’s old clothes. A classic day out for me and Mum was hitting the charity shops; she’s always shopped that way and although I HATED it at the time, I’m so happy it’s helped me become fashion conscious. She’s also (most likely) the reason I got into fashion as she was heavily involved in the fashion industry before I was born.
Styling was hard to get into. I’ve always wanted to do it. I have always been creatively involved with shoots, since around 16, whether that be as a model, makeup artist or sometimes even photographer. But I didn’t have my first styling job until this summer. I met a musician who really liked the clothes I had for sale. She took a huge interest in my shop, the pieces I had found and what I wore and one day, very last minute, asked if I would style her music video. I dived in headfirst and had absolutely no idea what I was doing but they loved it.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from and how would you describe your style in general?
MOLLY HAYWARD: Honestly, I wish I had more inspiration within the fashion industry but most of it comes from movies— 90s/00s movies like Buffy, The Craft and Josie and the Pussycats. I never fail to find endless inspiration in FRUiTS magazine and also in colour pallets and patterns. I love the work by Pipilotti Rist and creating an exciting colour pallet is how I go about most of my outfits.
Q: If you had to put together an outfit that embodies NotJustTrash, what would it be?
MOLLY HAYWARD: Ahhhh, I’m not sure. This is too hard, it would have to be a whole band. Like four outfits. A goth baddie with hella ripped tights and a super short skirt, someone in vintage flares with a skirt over the top, our ‘Fairy’ tops hit it quite hard this year so I might throw one of them in. Some brown oversized cargos and a 90s baby tee and lastly a look with a long denim skirt, some fluffy below the knee lace up winter boots, an underboob corset and arm warmers.
Q: How have you managed your creativity over quarantine?
MOLLY HAYWARD: Quarantine has allowed me to become more organised. I’ve been managing my time and achieving in a day what I used to in a week. At first it gave me more time to get creative, work on collections and start an Instagram page for my shop. I think the first lockdown gave me a boost of motivation because I had so much time and less pressure than when the world was running at 300,000 miles an hour.
Q: Can you talk about styling for Fake It Flowers and how you went about it?
MOLLY HAYWARD: So ‘Worth it’ was the first video I styled for Fake It Flowers, it was actually my first styling job and I only had two days to bring it together. They had an idea of what they wanted to try and recreate and frantically for two days I went round all my local villages sourcing pieces that I thought could work. I got some friends’ businesses involved too, I love to share opportunities with others around me. For ‘Together’ it was a whole different ball game. I had 4 different people to style, my references were FRUiTS Mag and some 90s bands. I mostly used pieces I already owned. Bea’s outfit was planned weeks ahead so I kinda just needed to focus on the other band members. It was pretty much all second hand. The jeans Louis was wearing, with the hand bleached flowers, were actually a hand painted piece I gave to Jacob earlier in the year for his birthday and the iconic converse were a gift, from me, in Bea’s styled bundle.
Q: Do you ever feel pressure to keep up your online presence, especially as the owner of an online business?
MOLLY HAYWARD: I find that running a personal account is more pressure than my shop’s Instagram. But I also get a lot of drive from my personal so they kind of go hand in hand. Sometimes I have to take a break from there as watching people’s lives move past on stories every day, at such a fast pace, often makes me feel like I’m failing rather than succeeding. I’ve also always been an advocate for mental health and keep my arms open to anyone who needs an ear, advice, or just a chat. That often gets overwhelming too.
Q: Are you feeling hopeful for the future of sustainable and second hand fashion?
MOLLY HAYWARD: I am feeling positive about making the fashion industry circular. I’m tired of hearing rubbish excuses and wish that we could boycott all the fast fashion brands that everyone is so tangled in. I think it’s going to take a lot of time but already this year I’ve noticed so many more people trying to be fashion conscious. Like anything else, it’s not about being perfect it’s about doing your best.
Q: Any tips for thrifting and finding good second hand pieces?
MOLLY HAYWARD: I don’t want to give away all my secrets, hehe. No, I’m joking, Charity shops are your best friend – I think the most important thing is to go in with an open mind. Look through everything and think about ways to style it or how you would imagine it on your style icon. Don’t go looking for anything specific, you probably won’t find it. Go to car boot sales and flea markets and kilo sales, look on eBay too. The second hand world is endless. Before buying something from Shein or Boohoo or Pretty Little Thing, look in three of those places and see if you find it or something similar there first.
Q: Favourite piece you’ve ever thrifted?
MOLLY HAYWARD: Hmmmmmm, I bought a vintage wedding dress for £3 and I’m defo gonna wear it on my big day.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs and young creatives?
MOLLY HAYWARD: Don’t give up. I’m mad glad I didn’t. If others around you don’t get it, don’t waste time trying to make them. Believe in yourself and stop creating barriers for yourself. Ask for help.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
