Upcycling Fashion

My course friends and I were lucky enough to attend the ‘Watch Your Waste Week’ event at the Museum of Science and Industry last Thursday, the event was run by Recycle for Greater Manchester to promote ‘Upcycling’ Fashion.  This involves reusing and remaking old clothes into something new rather than simply throwing unwanted garments away or donating them, therefore reducing waste in Manchester! 

Me and the Wardrobe Angel

I was able to speak to some of the designers at the event and it was great to learn where their inspiration sprouted from.  Also at the event was the Wardrobe Angel who owns her own stylist business.  With a wealth of fashion industry knowledge and experience under her belt from companies such as M&S and H&M, the Wardrobe Angel was launched just 15 months ago.  Her website is great and the feedback from the services available is even better, the Wardrobe Angel teaches you to minimise your wardrobe with maximum effects, creating smarter shoppers.  The site is definitely worth a look for all you budding stylists out there!

Adnan Bayyat turned to fashion after studying a music degree, to express his creativity visually and now he creates bespoke garments for high profile people and events.  He showcased his dress designed for Breast Cancer Research which was formed from recycled medicine bottle tops, his ‘jigsaw’ dress was worn for a high profile wedding (remaining anonymous!!) and was created from old, incomplete jigsaws and shoelaces.  His other creations include a dress worn by Lady Gaga and the ‘Liquorice’ dress which appeared on the catwalk.  These are amazing creations and a true representation of ‘Upcycled’ fashion. 

Sara Li Chou Han presented her denim creations which had a Gothic inspiration running through her collection; the garments are ready-to-wear and made from various denim off-cuts which created these edgy pieces.  Sara is now studying Upcycling as a Masters topic at MMU so it is clearly a passion for the designer.  She also runs workshops in Manchester which teach the public how to ‘Upcycle’ their own clothing, the workshops are called Stitched Up and look great fun so definitely worth a visit!



 

Other designers at the event included Antiform: ready-to-wear, Caroline Dionne: creations from old school trouser and blazers, Love Me Again: colour block knits and workwear, TRAIDRemade: ladies and men’s clothing inspired by print, Constanze Friedrichs: Androgynous sportswear and Susan Lang: ready-to-wear and bespoke, print influenced womenswear.

                                           
Whilst the 'Frow' wasn’t as stylish as New York Fashion Week and the models didn’t rival those of Victoria’s Secret, the event was great.  The idea behind ‘Upcycling’ fashion is exciting and should be publicised more widely.  I spoke to one model who said he expected to be wearing bin liners and rubbish when he accepted the job but to his surprise he loved his ‘Upcycled’ shirt and would wear it out. There was a great turn out at the event and the attendees seemed to really enjoy the evening...especially the free buffet and yummy canapés! They were fascinated by the concept of 'Upcycling' and many seemed keen to partake in workshops and future events to expand their knowledge and usage of this nature of fashion styling.

It just goes to show, you should not judge before you try and as 2.1 million tonnes of clothing is bought each year, with 1.4 million tonnes thrown away, ‘Upcycling’ is definitely one to watch!