Back
Sort
Challenges
Techniques
Clear Filters
Back
Sort
Challenges
Techniques
Clear Filters
This entire look was made from thrifted denim. Different shades and textures were brought together using rough patchwork inspired by Japanese boro techniques. Instead of buying new fabric, we worked with what already existed, letting the frayed edges, faded colors, and imperfections become part of the design.
A Japanese-inspired dress created through the recycling and repurposing of different denim garments. The piece is constructed by layering and joining small fragments of fabric sourced from various pairs of jeans, creating an irregular composition of different shades, textures, and levels of wear. The design draws inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic of Boro, a traditional practice based on repairing, patching, and extending the life of textiles. Visible seams, frayed edges, and the asymmetric arrangement of the fabric pieces are intentionally exposed, turning the construction process itself into an essential part of the dress’s aesthetic. The combination of light and dark denim creates depth and emphasizes the handcrafted character of the garment, while the fitted silhouette, collar, and upper button detailing add structure to the design. The result is a unique piece that brings together Japanese tradition, textile experimentation, and upcycling, transforming existing materials.
Vanmade only works with clothes that are thrown away. Like these jeans trousers. I picked them from the street just before the garbageman took them. There were huge holes at the knees and a stain a little way down the leg. I decided to make two chickenpatches from denim and free styled machine stitched them including all the tiny details. Then I covered the stain with a broken egg and the two chickens are discussing this issue together. There are many ways to prevent garments from going to the landfill and I try to do my best to do my part and with that I use a bit of humor!
This bag was made from handwoven cotton scraps dyed with natural indigo, which I collected from a rural weaving community in Northeastern Thailand (Isan). The artisans harvest raw cotton plants for fiber and use natural indigo to create the deep blue color. Seeing the incredible care that goes into every stage of production made me deeply appreciate even the smallest leftover scraps. I took these pieces, patched them together, and hand-stitched them using the Sashiko technique to turn the fabric remnants into a unique, meaningful bag.
This set was created from a thrifted sweater and fabric I had stashed away for years. I used the fabric to add puffed sleeves and matching shorts, then finished the front bodice with leftover trims. Even the original sweater sleeves were saved for another project.
When I first found these ukay-ukay (Filipino thrift shop) bags, they were old, damaged, wrinkled, and full of holes—the kind most people would simply leave behind. But I saw something worth saving. I brought them home and spent thousands of hours hand-sewing them, stitch by stitch, turning what was once discarded into a one-of-a-kind multi-pocket jacket. I added a detachable hood, a detachable backpack, and details that make the piece both playful and functional. Every stitch, scar, and imperfection tells a story. And in many ways, so do I. This jacket was inspired by the everyday struggles of my own life. It reminds me that things—and people—can be overlooked, worn down, or left behind, yet still have value. I didn’t just make a jacket. I gave something forgotten a new life.
An old denim jacket got a fresh start with leftover denim remnants, hand-painted details, and a whole new story to tell Photo Jeff Abate
The Soul of the Stitch: Double-Upcycled Witness the evolution of sustainable craft. This large backpack is a third-life evolution, born from an already upcycled jacket. I transformed it through the art of hand-stitching for superior durability. Unlike mass-produced bags, the inner lining is rugged denim, integrated and hand-sewn directly into the outer layers to create a rock-solid core. It’s "industrial-grade" handmade armor—proving that circular fashion is a story of resilience built to last
Six months of patience, one needle, and a tribute to a legend. This 2Pac piece is entirely hand-stitched—no machines, just raw focus. I upcycled yellow-brown denim using a mix of reclaimed materials, layering different textures to capture Shakur’s spirit. Every patch was hand-cut and sewn to create this wearable mosaic. From the bandana to the "Keep Ya Head Up" lettering, it’s a labor of love and a commitment to sustainable art.
This XL Carhartt is 90 days of survival sewn into "broken" luxury. Created during a financial crisis in the Philippines, I spent three months of labor—resting only for Church—to provide for my family.Using "mahiwagang tiyaga," I hand-stitched salvaged Gucci materials into heavy denim. No machines; just three needles and an evolved running stitch. Every panel reflects calloused fingers and the hope that art sustains life. I didn’t just upcycle fabric; I transformed a struggle into a masterpiece