As more of us are looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment, fast fashions have fallen out of favour. Instead, the style-conscious are turning to eco-friendly, fair trade styles that feature recycled materials. Upcycled products and materials give today’s designers a wide range of textures, colours, and finishes to play with, for truly timeless results. Here are four fashion brands out there working wonders with upcycled materials.
- Matt and Nat
Carried by the likes of Natalie Portman, Ellen Page, and Olivia Wilde, Matt and Nat handbags are the vegan accessory du jour. These fashion-forward accessories are not just vegan, however. Matt & Nat bags also feature a lining that’s constructed from 100% recycled bottles. The designers favour sustainable materials like rubber, cork, and nylon, which is upcycled into sleek eco-friendly designs.
Image Source: Matt and Nat
The name “Matt and Nat” stems from a combination of Mat-erial and Nat-ure, and the fashion brand works hard to find new ways to play around with these two concepts. Formed in 1995 in Montreal, the brand has only grown since then and you can now purchase fully recycled, animal-free designs that stand on their own as statement pieces.
- Titania Inglis
Fans of minimalist fashion won’t want to miss the latest looks from Titania Inglis. This edgy LA-based designer uses materials like dead stock wool and Japanese organic cotton to create raw, visually striking garments. Her designs are often sported by musicians, including Kim Gordon, M83, and Charli XCX.
Image Source: Titania Inglis
With a rock and roll aesthetic and dedication to sustainable material sources, Inglis snuggles comfortably into the niche between haute couture, fancy dresses, and environmental friendliness. You can choose from a range of complimentary separates as well as jewellery and handbags, all capable of taking you from day to night with a flattering flair. The pieces are designed to last from season to season, ensuring long life and durability.
- Elvis & Kresse
One of the most creative forces in upcycling, Elvis & Kresse is an English brand that uses everything from coffee sacks to old parachutes in their accessory line. The fire hose is the brand’s signature material, which they save from landfills to transform into something new, innovative, and gorgeous. Parachute silk is another favourite material, turned into bags and wallets. Printing blankets, old leather scraps, and shoe boxes are just a few other raw materials of choice.
Image Source: Elvis and Kresse
While these materials would normally clog landfills, instead they’re recycled into practical pieces. On top of this, they donate a sizeable portion of their proceeds to charity.
- Charlotte Bialas
Based in Paris, Charlotte Bialas works with beautiful vintage textiles. Silk scarves from the 1950s are upcycled into completely one-of-a-kind designs. Bialas only sources the highest-quality raw materials, scouring vintage stock, mills, and auctions across the globe.
Image source: Charlotte Bialas
If you’re looking for garments that are truly unique, it’s hard to beat the ethereal, sophisticated design of her pieces. Bialas’s garments are timeless in their silhouette, while retaining a contemporary flair. The timelessness of the garments and high quality of the recycled silk ensures that the clothing will be a long-lasting favourite in your wardrobe.