Used-up items don’t always belong in the trash – some fashion labels also show this and turn supposed waste into cool accessories and clothing. Bags made from old basketballs become cool and sporty accessories, old fishing nets become attractive bikinis and worn-out clothing can become really glamorous again.
Upcycling in fashion: More than a trend
Upcycling is not just a trend in fashion, it is sorely necessary. According to the European Parliament, the fashion industry is “estimated to cause 10 percent of global CO₂ emissions – more than international aviation and shipping combined. According to the European Environment Agency, the purchase of textiles in the EU produced around 270 kilograms of CO₂ emissions per person in 2020 This means that textile products consumed in the EU caused greenhouse gas emissions of 121 million tonnes. If you value sustainability, you can find out more about fair fashion in our article and find out when fashion is really fair and sustainable.
Upcycling vs. recycling
Sometimes upcycling and recycling are confused. The difference is that upcycling involves upgrading existing materials. This is what the word “up” stands for. Recycling uses materials that have previously been broken down (“re” = “again”, i.e. reuse). Recycled fibers and yarns, PET bottles, etc. are often used to make recycled fashion. Sometimes the boundaries between recycling and upcycling become blurred.
Upcycling: Exemplary brands
In addition to the brands from the photo series, these also rely on upcycling:
- Maison Margiela: The Belgian designer Martin Margiela was one of the first to make upcycled fashion socially acceptable. He developed a complete upcycling collection in which he breathed new life into discarded clothing and transformed vintage clothing and found objects into hand-sewn unique pieces.
- Avenir Berlin: This label handcrafts new, glamorous fashion from textile waste and used clothing. In addition, production of a new item of clothing only starts after the order has been placed. This means that this brand lives sustainability as it should be.
- JW Anderson: This brand developed upcycled and gender-neutral fashion from existing and surplus materials.
- Lion: This brand has also already produced upcycling collections and also used patchwork techniques, which resulted in attractive, unique pieces.
- Bianca Saunders: This designer relied on fabric donations early in her career because she needed them. But even after her breakthrough, she continued upcycling and now even designs fashion for the stars.
- Marine Serre: The French designer makes 92 percent of her collections from regenerative elements. She uses fabrics from leftover stocks, used clothing and recycled fibers such as those from fishing nets.
- Friday: The Swiss label has been showing for 30 years that upcycling can be implemented. It manufactures which are made from old truck tarpaulins and are known and loved by many.
- Nearon Studio: New patchwork pieces are made here from old denim and vintage blazers.
- Revived: As the name suggests, clothing is revived here from old materials.
In our photo series we mainly show niche brands that are thinking about ways in which they can reuse and reuse materials. Meaningful, important and it doesn’t detract from the look.
Sources used:
Note: This gallery was first published in 2019 and has been updated since then.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
