Back
Sort
Challenges
Techniques
Clear Filters
Back
Sort
Challenges
Techniques
Clear Filters
WORTH RESTORING This piece is a celebration of repair, restoration, and the beauty of giving damaged clothing a second chance. I began with a thrifted brown pinstripe blazer with significant tears and a second thrifted material: newspaper-print fabric. Rather than discard the blazer, I repaired the damaged areas using the printed fabric, transforming its flaws into part of its renewed identity. White bias tape adds contrast and highlights the blazer’s lines, bringing the design together. I also made pants from newspaper-print fabric My intention was to show that upcycling is not always about completely transforming a garment into something unrecognisable. Sometimes, it is about preserving what already exists, extending its life, and finding creative value in what others might consider waste. It challenges the throwaway culture of fashion and reminds us that damaged does not mean worthless. Through thoughtful repair and design, garments can be restored, reimagined, and worn again.
Constructing a reversible denim trench coat by piecing together multiple shades of thrifted denim and lining it with upcycled vintage bedsheets. Watch the process of laying out the panels, arranging the patchwork, and finishing the inner lining.
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.
This drawstring bag is hand crocheted using plarn. Plastic bags are the least likely material to get recycled so I process them into plastic yarn. This bag has sustainability at its core. Each element is an upcycled material. The bag itself diverts about 60 standard grocery bags from my local landfill. The adjustable strap is a guitar strap that had a broken clip. The drawstring is a shoelace whose partner broke. It's embellished with wooden beads from an old belt
This started out as a plain old jacket, but I wanted to give it a little more personality. I added tulle sleeves, rib-knit cuffs, vintage beaded patches, and fur trim, using pieces I had tucked away in my stash. The vintage beads were something I had a while back ago and never found the right project for, until now. A few forgotten materials later, this ordinary jacket became something completely new. Model SundaysinJune Mua Rouge and Radiance Artistry Hair Esme Morgana Photo Jason Asuncion
This piece was created through upcycling, repurposing discarded shipping bags and transforming them into an unconventional textile. Techniques include deconstruction, reconstruction, patchwork, stitching, material manipulation, and delicate hand-beading with small pearls. The different fragments create volume, texture, and movement, while the pearl embroidery adds a refined contrast to the recycled material.
Grew up going to @brooklynmuseum Artifacts as a child. Now selling art outside the museum every Sunday. Full ⭕️ 📸 @iusa_k
