UPCYCLING = COOL FASHION

BY: Andy Shoulders

UP • CY • CLE

Verb

to reuse discarded objects or materials in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.

The popular practice of upcycling, especially in the world of fashion, has been gaining quite a bit of traction as of late, with more and more designers jumping into this world of taking what’s old and making it new (and improved) again. Upcycling is hardly a new concept, though. Drag queens have been taking old and used materials and making drop dead gorgeous looks out of them for decades.  What’s new is that upcycling has given many designers a chance to reach a completely new client base. Environmentally-conscious fashion consumers, previously presented with only a few solid options such as Stella McCartney or Marc Bouwer, can now feel good about purchasing from the likes of Chloe and Marine Serre as well.  Check out the below video to learn more about how these designers are using upcycling to their benefit.

One such designer who has taken the idea of upcycling and absolutely ran with it is Dutch designer (or should we call him disruptor?) Duran Lantink.

Lantink made a name for himself as a designer with a rebellious approach to fashion’s overconsumption, and he loves to find ways to constantly challenge how people perceive luxury.  You may know him from those “vagina pants” worn by Janelle Monae in the music video for her song “PYNK,” but Lantink’s biggest pleasure derives from chopping up deadstock designer duds and splicing them together into gorgeous new creations.  For example, one of Lantink’s career highlights came from seeing LVMH head honcho Bernard Arnault’s face upon viewing his Gucci/Louis Vuitton shopping bag hybrid displayed proudly at the LVMH Prize showroom.  This “sacrilegious” melding of two brands from rival conglomerates perfectly captured Lantink’s wickedly against-the-grain attitude, and it cemented his status as a designer with a mission.

Be sure to check out Duran Lantink’s latest digital fashion show while you’re here.  You’ll quickly see that it is absolutely possible to make chic, desirable pieces out of what was almost headed to the trash heap.  It’s a fun approach to the serious subject of sustainability, and fashion’s latest Dr. Frankenstein is determined to change the collective mindset.

“Once luxury and fast fashion brands were at the opposite ends of the spectrum, but a new order has emerged,” Lantink said in a press release.

As long as Lantink keeps moving this new order forward, count us in.