It’s no secret that fashion trends come and go almost faster than it takes to manufacture them. It’s a cycle that’s tied directly to the seasons, pop culture, and the fashion industry itself.
But some designers aren’t content with throwing everything away each season and are instead working with what they’ve got. A high-end upcycling movement that promotes sustainability while still keeping things fashionable.
Designers Who Remix
Sustainability is a buzzword in the current fashion climate, but some designers and brands are walking the walk and looking to the materials left behind to design a better future.
Bundgaard Nielsen is more than a designer, but a laboratory that gets to the root of fashion waste and sustainability. According to Danish fashion designer and founder Mette Julie Bundgaard-Nielsen,
“I am currently working on developing a new size-flexible garment system, which will do away with bad fit and standard sizing, one of the main reasons people discard clothing. I was once told a story of my father fixing an airplane engine using only a bottle cap and his creativity while travelling in Africa. This gave me a challenge to make do with what you are given within a certain framework.”
Zurita is an ethical collection by Gabriela Farias Zurita that draws inspiration from Latin America with materials like alpaca.
“Many of my designs are influenced by the geometrical thinking and creations of the Andean weavers. This ancient pre-Columbian way to conceive textiles and clothing doesn’t leave any waste. Not only in the woven pieces but also in the use of fabric, I try to use the whole piece of textile from design through production.”
Reformation is an L.A.-based brand that resurrects vintage clothing and overstock materials to create glamorous new garments. Although they’re committed to sustainability throughout, they prove that sustainable designs don’t always have to be down-to-earth. They even make gorgeous wedding dresses!
Doodlage is an India-based brand that sources some outside-the-box eco-friendly materials like corn and banana fabric. They also utilize discarded textiles from the bigger manufacturers, helping to offset waste beyond their own brand.
Ecoalf believes in “creation through transformation”. Not only by recycling waste material, but by transforming it into new garments that don’t further pollute and placing an emphasis on sustainability throughout the supply chain.
Bethany Williams “gives textiles a second chance” with 100% sustainable garments (including the buttons!).
DIY Wardrobe Upcycle
Upcycling is the process of “creative reuse”. Instead of throwing away an out-of-style design, fabric, or garment, turn it into something new.
And it’s not just top designers that do this. People at home are getting thrifty by upcycling old clothes or trends into brand new looks.
Cut-off t-shirts are just the tip of the iceberg. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking like a sustainable designer.
Sometimes all it takes is rethinking how to wear it. Try this DIY Off-The-Shoulder Shirt
Or a minimalistic addition to an existing garment like these DIY Side Stripe Pants.
Maybe add some edge to a t-shirt with a carefully placed cut like this Choker T-Shirt.
If you’ve got a bit of sewing skills you can refashion an old dress into a cute Crop-Top Blouse.
This is only limited by your imagination and resources of course, but those are some ideas to get you started.
