Upcycling: a solution for a more circular fashion

Second-hand, second-hand clothes, vintage thrift stores, eco-responsible fashion... So many concepts that have appeared in everyday language over the past ten years, largely democratized by the boom in online sales of children's clothing. occasion which brings together more and more followers.

Today, a new word is on everyone's lips: "Upcycling". If this model of eco-responsible consumption is not limited to fashion, it is experiencing a real leap forward with creators, designers, stylists and brands who are honoring the opportunity to recreate something new, a real economic model. circular!

What is upcycling?

Upcycling, which could be translated into French as " surcycling ", is a model of production of new goods (furniture, decoration, clothing) from spare parts, second-hand goods, used goods, which are no longer usable as such, but which can serve as a basis for the creation of new goods. The main idea is to extend the life cycle of an unused item by giving it a facelift.

In particular for textiles, upcycling represents the creation of new ultra-trendy and mismatched fashion pieces from off-cuts of unused fabrics from major brands, vintage or second-hand pieces that have not found buyers or used and second-hand clothes, some of the fabric of which is still usable. Upcycling brings second-hand pieces up to date by creating new models.

To find out if your old clothes can be upcycled, you can consult our article right here which guides you in choosing materials made to last.

Why do creators get into upcycling?

It's not a scoop, the textile industry is one of the most polluting and water-consuming industries in the world . The textile sector is responsible for almost 10% of greenhouse gas emissions in the world ¹ , which raises questions about our way of consuming fashion.

Although "slow fashion " is being promoted more and more, by favoring short circuits, minimalist dressings, "Made in France", fashion remains a rapid cycle, where collections are linked, two by year minimum for most brands.

Faced with these ecological challenges and the acceleration of collection cycles, upcycling presents itself as a new trendy solution that will improve over the next few years , for several reasons:

Environment: Upcycling brings up to date second-hand clothes whose fabrics are still of high quality! No need to waste water or produce on the other side of the world, everything is done with second hand, which is much more ecological.

Revalorization : Upcycling tends to revalorize the human work of manufacture, whether it is the work of the couturier or that of the stylist. Faced with the social excesses of fashion, with assembly line work that completely depersonalizes the manufacturing process, upcycling favors the work of designing and manufacturing the garment.

Uniqueness: The very principle of upcycling is that each piece is unique. As the creator uses leftover second-hand parts to make new ones, it is impossible to produce in bulk. The pieces are original and unique, often very colorful and multi-material.

Accessibility: Designers rely on pieces from all sources, so there are upcycled clothes for all budgets.

New: Upcycling is chic! Faced with the conformism that can be found in fast-fashion, upcycling promotes quality, unique and very stylish pieces; what to consume better without wearing totally outdated pieces or which are not in our size.

Inspiration : No longer possible to plan his collections two years in advance, everything is made with the arrivals of the moment, unlimited source of inspiration for a stylist who imagines his pieces from what he finds second-hand or in fabric second hand.

The best French upcycling brands to hunt absolutely!

Today, more and more brands are getting into upcycling, making a few upcycled collections, but some designers are even making it their brand image , by only offering upcycled pieces.

Here is our selection of upcycled and eco-responsible brands to hunt around with your eyes closed:

Hi Beauty

Interviewed on our Paradigme podcast, the founders of Salut Beauté, Mathilde and Sarah, wanted to make costume their trademark. Help women conquer the world with uniforms to accompany them on their adventure. An ambitious project that we really like, which carries beautiful feminist and ecological values. And yes, their costumes are, for the most part, upcycled, from end-of-stock fabrics from French manufacturers, but also from scraps from certain French brands.

hi beauty

Resap Paris

It is the first upcycling brand founded in Paris in 2021. Here, no generic pieces, only pieces made from second-hand clothes. Each piece is unique because 100% made from second-hand clothes.

The founders, Mona and Daphné, promote inclusive, responsible and feminine fashion. Parts are upcycled with love. Their flagship model: very trendy multi-material denim jackets.

Carbon14

Founded by Charlie, a young designer who graduated from the Institut Français de la Mode, Carbone 14 is a brand of 100% upcycled pieces, whose ultra-limited collections are released in capsules of a maximum of 10 pieces. A designer committed to sustainable and responsible fashion, she believes that quality clothing deserves to last. Nothing new here, only novelty.

The last capsule is not lacking in creativity: the tietop capsule, where tops are made from second-hand ties. Unique and original pieces, accessible thanks to reasonable prices.

Bernie's workshop

An upcycled and tailor-made fashion workshop, for the pleasure of all.

The concept is great: The workshop offers clothing patterns: dresses, tops, sweaters, etc. and unique materials, sourced from second-hand clothes, which you can select to obtain your nugget fashion piece.

The advantage is that there is no overproduction, everything is made to order. The fabrics are floral, vintage, soft, embroidered or veiled. A very nice selection of upcycled fabrics not to be missed.

And Paris

"Linking Creativity and Responsibility", these are the objectives that Juliette set herself when she founded and Paris in 2019. While still a student at ESCP, she decided to take the plunge and create her own clothing brand.

The collections are designed by her, and are entirely upcycled from the end of a roll of Haute Couture fabric in order to make pieces that are as unique as they are desirable, available for pre-order. A little extra: everything is made in France, a short-circuit model that we particularly appreciate.

Recycling… at the service of elegance, a great way to design upcycled fashion.

Pretty brands to discover without delay, to make second-hand and upcycling our new way of consuming fashion.

We also advise you to follow these great Instagram accounts: @rosabonheur, @evenora.a, @julietbonhomme, @jorjadela and @rubipigeon which will teach you more about upcycling.

To know everything about second-hand and responsible fashion, find our articles in the "Journal" section!