In contrast to recycling, “up-cycling” is a non-destructive method which makes possible to regain materials via improving and adding value to them.
UPCYCLING IS ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE WAYS TO CHANGE THE FASHION INDUSTRY FOR BETTER. HERE ARE THREE ARGUMENTS TO THIS.
IT’S SUSTAINABLE:
Up-cycling reduces the clothing and textile wastes via reuse of the material creating new pieces and products. Making a single cotton T-shirt requires over 2700 liters of water (WWF), whereas using a pre-existing T-shirt to make something new requires nearly no water.
IT’S MUCH BETTER THAN RECYCLING
Up-cycling is a lot better than recycling because it just takes some time, creativity and tools to transform the readily available material to something unique and beautiful. On the other hand, recycling of materials requires a long, energy intensive processing until the material is finally transformed. So far only some 8 % of the textiles collected by charities is transformed in new textiles.
IT’S CREATIVE
Up-cycling requires to think “out of box”, takes putting all your heart and mind into each piece to be realized, a work which is in complete contradiction with the super “fast” fashion industry we are facing these days.
In the video I show you my last project with this technique. I used one of my old jean and scraps left over from previous projects. What do you think about the result?