WHAT IS UPCYCLING FASHION?
The world is talking about upcycling fashion in a big way. Currently, we are using 60% more resources than the Earth can provide (Source: World Economic Forum). Fuelled by conscious consumption and growing awareness about the circular economy, upcycling has become popular in more ways than one.
But, what exactly is the meaning of
Upcycled Fashion ?
Explaning Upcycling Fashion
The term Upcycled Fashion, or fashion upcycling, recycled fashion, upcycled clothes, recycled clothes as the population knows it is one of the fastest evolving fashion trends in the world. collecting waste textiles from pre-consumers and turning them to into something new and useable is what we do. People may mistake it with second-hand clothes but it is a totally different theory. Upcycling bits and pieces of clothes and turnung it into trending fashion at affordable prices, preserving the environment from harmful textile waste is our agenda at Shop Upcyclehut
PRODUCTS WE UPCYCLE
We at Upcyclehut are powered by our vision to build a culture of conscious consumption coupled to promote regular usage of repurposed products. We’ve focussed on multiple arenas for upcycling, Fashion Upcycling and Other areas. We infuse a lot of R(e)imagination in all of our products. Our expert team meticulously handcrafts each item with a lot of dedication and precision. Time and again we also divert our energies into innovating existing products. Our three main focus areas are Fashion and Home Décor and Furnishings.
FASHION
From stoles to sarees – you name it we have it! We’ve infused our R(e)creativity in our apparel line and accessory collection. Materials and fabrics such as Mangalagiri cotton and linen are upcycled to create tops and kurtas for women. Leftover silk and cotton yarns are delicately handcrafted into warm stoles and beautiful sarees. For bags and accessories, we make the best use of waste denim and the inner tubing of rubber tyres. We have laptop backpacks to luggage bags that are not only stylish but also very practical.
Home Décor and Furnishings
Our upcycled furnishings and home décor items use materials like denim, wood, cotton sarees, wool, etc.
Denim is used for bed covers and bedsheets, while cotton and wool make gorgeous home accents such as throws and rugs.
Wood is creatively repurposed for wooden stools and ottomans, while cotton is woven into durries for cushion covers.
RECYCLING VS UPCYCLING FASHION
Before upcycling as a term became widespread, the term ‘recycling’ often got thrown around.
So, what is recycling ?
It is the process of collecting waste, breaking them down and converting them into new products. Plastic, paper, etc. are some of the most common recyclables that are collected, sent to facilities to sort, clean, and processed into new materials or products. For example, plastic bottles are melted down and reused to create plastic items.
However, this process is different from upcycling. Below are the differences:
UPCYCLING
- Collecting products/ waste to repurpose or reuse by adding more value.
- No breakdown is required, as materials are used in their existing state.
This process maintains the original characteristics of the material/ product.
No such decrease in the strength and durability of the material/ product.
Materials like rubber and denim can be easily upcycled.
RECYCLING
- A breakdown process is required.
- This process can completely change the original characteristics of the product/ material.
- Every round of recycling lessens the strength of the material.
- Only certain materials can be recycled. Rubber is difficult to recycle.
HOW CAN ONE HELP IN UPCYCLING FASHION AS AN INDIVIDUAL?
Upcycling may have been popularised lately, however, it is something that many of us unknowingly follow. Be it repurposing PET bottles as planters, creatively using an old saree or kurta into a skirt or a top, or crafting paper bags out of newspapers, are some of the day-to-day real-life examples where we have intuitively found ways of upcycling old and used products.
It may seem like a drop in the ocean, but small, sustainably focused decisions can go a long way towards the health of our planet. Like rethinking our attitude towards a linear ‘use and throw’ mantra. Like supporting the many budding entrepreneurial ventures that truly focus on building useful, R(e)imagined repurposed products created using sustainable and eco-friendly processes.
The best way is to R(e)think before discarding old and buying new items. For old items, ask ‘How can I reuse this?’ and before buying something new, ask ‘Do I REALLY need this?’ It is all about taking that extra step forward, towards making more such progressive and eco-conscious choices for your family, yourself and thereby, our planet.