Cycle Up
New upcycled design lines transform trash into treasure
Going green is especially attractive when the end product is a tailored outfit or a chic centerpiece. As evidenced by boutiques like Berlin’s Semi-Domesticated, the practice of creating sustainable apparel and housewares exclusively from upcycled objects and waste has become more than a passing fad.
MADE of NEW YORK: The streets of New York have long inspired artists and craftspeople to upcycle urban waste. Now, MADE of NEW YORK is taking repurposed materials to the next level. Sure to strike a chord with enthusiasts of the Adirondack aesthetic, the furniture line is fashioned entirely from untreated wood sourced from abandoned Manhattan buildings dating back to the 19th century. The trio of talent behind the South Bronx-based collection includes a former Creative Director at IKEA, a Parsons professor, and a lumber expert. Their combined experience makes for tastefully rugged minimalist pieces that are built to last…for at least as long as the materials from whence they come have been around.
Forestbound: When Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s declared the reusable grocery tote a practical necessity, Alice Saunders of Boston-based Forestbound took note. Saunders uses only salvaged linen, canvas and leather, which she reworks into durable, utilitarian tote bags. As a testament to Saunders’ New England upbringing, all materials are locally sourced. Each one-of-a-kind piece is designed to reflect her belief that repurposed materials are as relevant today as they were decades ago. Though collections vary, they share a common thread of history. The current men’s line is inspired by the leather aprons worn by blacksmiths in the 1930s, while a line commissioned by Anthropologie incorporates grain sacks, circa 1910-1940.
V&Y Mart: Though upcycled jewelry has evolved into a well-established craft, sometimes the results suggest that the materials should have stayed in the trash bin. Such is not the case with LA-based stylist Lauren Constantine’s accessories line. Frustrated by both excessive waste and a dearth of unique accessories on the sets where she works, Constantine took matters into her own hands. The result is V&Y Mart, an Etsy shop with one clear bestseller: a versatile line of knotted, scarf-like masses made from old T-shirts in a color palette evocative of Marni. With the world’s surplus of vintage T-shirts being far from depleted, Constantine should have no problem keeping her store stocked.