Upcycling is a term you may have seen in passing, but not really given any thought. It is a subcategory of recycling, and refers to the deconstruction and reconstruction of items to create a new and innovative piece. It is most commonly discussed in the fashion world, as garment upcycling is a new phenomenon. Garment Upcycling is a response to the issue of fast fashion and the extremely high levels of waste produced by garments each year. It is an effort to use what you already own and still be able to have and wear new and exciting garments of clothing. Upcycling your own garments into new and exciting pieces is one of the most sustainable concepts, as it uses what you already own instead of having to purchase anything new.
Upcycling is most commonly seen in the small scale design market. People tend to upcycle their own clothes as craft or DIY projects, but large scale fashion companies do not generally use upcycling as a main design aesthetic.
Some brands that incorporate upcycling methods into their garment production include:
Tonlé
Urban Renewal by Urban Outfitters
Upcycling keeps garment and textile waste out of landfills, which is the ultimate sustainable idea. It is my fervent hope that consumers will realise the devastating impact that fashion has on the environment and start to make some positive changes. Garment upcycling is a very sustainable and beneficial concept that would help the consumers to be more responsible and also get unique garments of clothing out of it.
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