By Lily Corcoran
We’ve heard about organic cotton, bamboo, and sourcing our clothes ethically. But what about recycling and repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste? That’s where upcycled fashion comes in!
We want to talk about some forward-thinking brands that create innovative and unique pieces from pre-loved fabric. Rescuing run-down vintage gems and upcycling them into new fashion staples is what these brands are all about.
Embodying a circular design system where nothing is wasted – only created – upcycling speaks to the future of fashion. Taking clothes that have been loved for years and giving them attention and care ensures they can be loved for many more to come. From old home to new, upcycling fashion promises to take better care of our one true home, Mother Earth.
Upcycling fashion from the streets of Paris: 1 Off Paris
First up, 1 Off Paris. Think blazers, sportswear, jeans, trench coats – all uniquely crafted from recycled vintage pieces. Their most recent collection, Edit 02_Scarves, features an experimental fusion of silk scarves and vintage shirts. These intriguingly creative designs redefine the typical dress to refigure feminine style. They combine the masculine element of a Ralph Lauren shirt and inherently feminine colourful scarves to make something completely unique. And that’s only one of their upcycled collections. Head over to their website to discover more!
Creating wholly new styles out of bits of reworked, vintage fabrics is what makes this brand so exciting.
An upcycling programme like no other: Coralie Marabelle
Just like modern art sculpted from plastic bottles and old light bulbs, the founder of self-named Coralie Marabelle promises to create imaginative pieces. Figured as tools for expression, freedom and passion, she pours her creativity into moulding discarded resources into something special.
One of the brand’s lines, ‘La Ligne Manifesta’, invites everyone and anyone to donate their old, well-loved clothes that are no longer getting the wear they deserve. From there, they’re transformed into something new and wonderful! What a great programme for upcycling fashion.
Celebrity upcycling: Sami Miro Vintage
Continuing with the theme of creativity and experimentation, Sami Miro Vintage strives to create pieces that stand out. Each reworked design, whether it be a cropped sweater or a stylish jacket, is surprising, unpredictable and fresh. POC-owned and run by women, Sami Miro Vintage focuses on stylish sustainability. Every new style keeps something of the garment’s past, showcasing the beautiful foundation from which it came while shouting fashionable modernity. What’s more, celebrities love it too – Selena Gomez, Drake and The Weeknd have proudly donned their SMV pieces. See for yourself!
Upcycled jewellery with ANICET
It’s not just fabrics which are getting restyled, but jewellery too! Created out of vintage and second-hand pieces, you can be sure that no one else is wearing the same jewellery as you with ANICET. Thanks to the daring creativity of the owner, every earring, bracelet and necklace has a special story. You get to incorporate history into your wardrobe and make it your own.
These one-of-a-kind pieces are made of several different repurposed vintage jewels and precious metals. Nothing goes to waste when old trinkets are beautifully crafted into new. Take the streets in style with pieces that have never been seen before and that are wonderfully inimitable.
From scraps to staples: Eileen Fisher Renew
From scraps to style, The Resewn Collection inspires positive action and imagining something better for old fabric. The patchwork style is subtle and modern but fabulously distinctive in its own way. A perfect example is the tote bags: are innovative and quirky, they pay tribute to Eileen Fisher’s distinct vision. As a result, fabric that would otherwise go to waste is repurposed for something bigger and better.
Upcycled by Miu Miu
From ballgowns to trucker jackets, Miu Miu has got you covered for high-end recycled vintage. Whether it’s capturing the glory of old dresses or refiguring Levi’s, each upcycled collection allows the wearer to relish the glory of beautiful, intricate designs. Giving a second lease of life to pre-loved garments never looked so elegant! Best of all, the history shines through in each new style, and nothing goes to waste.
Less wastage, lower costs, unique pieces and, above all, giving the planet a break, upcycled fashion is nothing short of a revolutionary concept in the fashion world. Rescuing long-loved fashion and combining it with the forward-thinking creativity of small business owners ensures we give pre-loved clothes a happy future. With fewer raw resources being used and precious fabrics being rescued, upcycling really does take from the past to give to the future.
Lily Corcoran
Lily is a lover of literature. As a longstanding vegan and avid supporter of ethical fashion, she believes in the importance of talking about sustainability with open-minded readers. She also runs her own blog where she posts poetry, articles on topical subjects and the occasional French short story!
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