Upcycling, the trendy phenomenon of responsible fashion

Upcycling is a very trendy form of recycling in the fashion world today. Dropping clothes off at collection points instead of throwing them away has become an ingrained reflex in the daily lives of consumers. This initiative gives a second life to used textiles, materials and various everyday objects that are no longer usable. It is part of an approach for ethical and eco-responsible fashion. Find out more about this waste recovery process.

Upcycling: what is it?

The textile industry is responsible for 10% of CO2 emissions worldwide. Faced with the overconsumption of clothing which only increases this pollution, emerging brands are stepping up their efforts to find solutions to reduce their environmental impact. It is through upcycling that they try to counterbalance this observation. Consumers are therefore invited to donate rather than throw away clothes they no longer need.

Upcycling consists mainly of drawing raw materials through “waste” that can be reused. This is an initiative that is both ecological and economical, which makes it possible to recycle end-of-life materials, production offcuts, used clothing and unsold items. Thus, new ranges of clothing and accessories designed in a sustainable way are entering the market. This technique preserves natural resources in favor of recycled materials.

Through upcycling, used tires can become trendy belts, bulky jackets turn into handbags or even old clothes can be recycled into new original pieces. In other words, upcycling makes it possible to divert an object, a garment or an accessory to create new ones at a lower cost to the environment.

An inexhaustible source of raw materials to avoid waste

The fundamental principle of upcycling is based on the adage: "Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed" by Antoine Lavoisier. And the raw materials in the fashion industry are not lacking. Whether it comes from factories and points of sale: textile waste, end of rolls, unsold stocks, etc. or directly from consumers: empty dressing rooms, second-hand clothes, collection points, etc. material recovery is easy.

Thus, many brands are embarking on the exploitation of recycled materials to create new trendy pieces. These are generally original ideas that appeal to consumers looking for an alternative aimed at promoting recycling instead of buying from the big brands. And the latter are even invited to rethink the creation of their products, which allows the easy reuse of certain elements (removable soles, easy-to-remove inserts, quality accessories, etc.).

Original creations produced by committed brands

There are currently many brands that enter the recycling chain by offering a second life to products that are no longer used. All compete in originality in order to counterbalance the tons of waste produced by the fashion industry each year, especially with the advent of fast fashion.

5:10 p.m.: the brand that opens its eyes to waste in events

Although the Cannes Film Festival brings together the most talented actors, producers and film people, the fact remains that it is an event that engages a large amount of resources. It is from this observation that the talented seamstresses of 5:10 p.m. embarked on the making of dresses and clothes made from the red carpet of the festival. Indeed, the latter is changed 3 times a day for a distance of 60 m each time, which makes more than 2 km of fabric at the end of the festival.

Second Sew: clothes for little ones made from recycled materials

Giving a second life to second-hand clothes found in flea markets or garage sales, that's what Camille, the founder of Second Sew , does. She wants to show that it is possible to create different products accessible to all from linens, clothes or even fabrics collected everywhere. And to avoid waste, the rest of the fabric is used as cushion filling.

RESAP: the rising upcycling label

They are 2: Mona and Daphne, and have created the new label that is making people talk about it: RESAP . Their vision, to create unique and committed fashion pieces from scraps of recycled jeans (but not only!). The collaboration launched with Levi's shows that the commitment of major brands to responsible fashion is possible. What do we particularly like? The community, the RESAP Family, very committed. We can't wait to see what's next!

Upcycling can also be done at home!

Upcycling is not only for the main players in ethical fashion, it can also be applied in households by individuals. By promoting the circular economy, everyone can contribute to the building of responsible and ecological fashion. This includes reusing clothes that no longer suit you and letting your imagination run wild.

For example, you can create cushions from old clothes and recover materials from your children's teddy bears to stuff them. This eco-responsible and economical gesture allows you to personalize your interior in a stylish way. Old T-shirts can also be used as raw material to create washable and durable make-up remover sponges.

As you will have understood, upcycling can also start with sorting your household waste in order to contribute, at your level, to the treatment of the waste you produce. It also saves you from contributing to the increased environmental impact of tons of waste from consumer industries. The sorted and recovered materials can be used to give a second life to your everyday objects.

In addition to recycling your household waste, you value your own consumption and reduce your carbon consumption and your impact on the environment. This form of waste management also saves you from sending some of the recyclable materials to a recycling center or an incineration plant.