What is Upcycling?


via here


I had a déjà vu moment today when I woke up and checked my inbox.  I came across this inspirational article from Ecouterre.  The topic was about upcycling tips for emerging designers.  This particular article was a great reminder that upcycling as a method for creative fashion design can still be achieved and admired.

I started Mei Vintage with the vision of turning the old into something new.  The focal point of my design was to incorporate vintage kimonos and turn it into a unique collection of earthy timeless handbags.  At first it sounded like a simple idea, but the process turned out to be not so simple.  It was a challenge to find unwanted materials and keeping production methods as cost effective and sustainable as possible.  With a lot of research and determination, I finally had a clear vision.  The result was to use a combination of new, recycled and organic materials while keeping all production locally.  During this process, eco-designer Orsola de Castro has truly been a huge inspiration to me.   She has proven that upcycling can be a beautiful process and unwanted production waste can create a product of higher quality.  Here’s a recent article from Ecouterre highlighting Orsola De Castro and her 5 tips for designers seeking to reduce their waste footprint:
1.     Always know what is on offer before you start designing
2.     Follow your own waste stream
3.     No scrap is too small
4.     Ugly can be beautiful, too
5.     Finishing is the key to good design

From the scrapest of the scrap, I was still able to create something unique!  Like this cute dog collar from unused kimonos!


Checkout this video lecture from Orsola De Castro.  Btw, she has a lovely voice :) 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HAPPY EARTH DAY: 10 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Help Save the Planet

Image
Mother Earth needs our help. We’re using too much fuel, chopping down too many trees and putting way too much garbage into landfills. But don’t think you have to install solar panels or go out and purchase a hybrid car to make a meaningful impact. It’s very easy to adopt an earth-friendly lifestyle without spending a dime. In fact, you’ll likely save money along the way. So in honor of Earth Day coming up (although we should really celebrate this great, vast planet every day) we’ve rounded up ten seriously simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint: 1. Watch your water consumption We all can get a bit careless when it comes to the water we use. Especially with small, everyday tasks like brushing our teeth. Turn off the tap rather than letting it run, try to cut back on shower time (even if it’s just by one minute) and only do laundry if you have a full load to wash. 2. Invest in a reusable mug/water bottle Carrying around a reusable mug/water bottle can curb wasteful
Read more

15 Self- Care Practices to Nourish the Soul

Image
One of the best things that we can do for ourselves is to take a break, slow down and show our minds and bodies the love they’re worth. Have you ever wonder what it means to really  take care of yourself ? For some, self-care doesn’t’ get added into the daily regimen due to a lack of time or know-how. But putting it on the backburner can, in turn, create stress, resentment and defer us from reaching our full potential. Because our busy lives are often filled with non-stop hurry and noise, making the change will require intention and effort. But trust us, it will be worth it in the long run. While self-care looks different to all of us, here are 15 simple practices to try out: Eat well The one thing a hectic schedule disrupts most often is our diet. Instead of fully nourishing ourselves we rely on takeout and processed, packaged foods that lack the necessary nutrients our bodies need. But if you making eating well a priority, you’ll feel better about yourself along with gaini
Read more

Happy 2013 and Enter to Win!

Image
Good Bye 2012 and hello 2013! This year, instead of making new year resolutions that I can't seem to keep, I've decided to stick to one single goal, which is be appreciative of the little things around me. That includes reminding myself to give thanks and think positive.  We all have so much to be thankful for.  For me, I am thankful for my health, having a supportive family and being able to wake up every morning and do what I love! To show my appreciation, I would like to kick off the fashionable year with our first giveaway!  I am happy to be giving away the Hannah crossbody (color gray)! It's one of our popular bags because of its half moon shape and  versatility!  With a detachable shoulder strap and roomy zip pockets it's the perfect bag that can take you from casual to dressy!  Simply leave a comment BELOW by January 27 telling us which pieces on Mei Vintage website are your favorites, including what to wear with them! We will be drawing ONE lucky winn
Read more