10 cunty upcycle designers you should know
a love letter to upcyclers
Earth Month is nearing its end, and I’ve been daydreaming about upcycle artists all month long. Designers who create with existing material in mind have such a distinct emotion attached to their clothing; it’s inherently nostalgic and one-of-a-kind. So this is my love letter to upcyclers, in the form of a list of brands I think you guys should check out and support <3
By Liv
By Liv was founded during the Fall of 2020 with the mission of transforming recycled materials, including antique textiles, into one-of-a-kind garments. By Liv has grown into a shopable studio storefront in Williamsburg Brooklyn, a community hub for sustainable designers, a runway showcase, a podcast, and a symbol of community, collaboration, and creativity in fashion.
Hood Baby LA
Hood Baby LA is a Latina-founded upcycle brand based in LA that specializes in coquette-ifying sports jerseys and upcycling lace garments.
Hairy Mary
Hairy Mary is an independent, British slow fashion brand founded by Rosie Barton and inspired by vintage designs and handmade clothing. Each piece is hand-embroidered with care, drawing on Rosie's love for sewing instilled by her late mother. The brand's creations are made from ethically sourced materials, including deadstock, recycled fabrics, and antique textiles.
Manchad0
Manchad0 is a Colombian-designed, by-commission upcycle brand based in NYC. Drawing inspiration from the masculine coding associated with soccer jerseys in Latin America, the designer’s passion for anime, and the trend of small businesses in Latin America incorporating symbols from animated media into their branding, Manchad0 subverts machismo, transforming it into a symbol of expressive fluidity.Colombia pal mundoooo.
Left Hand LA
Left Hand LA, founded by Julie Kucharski in 2012, is a one-of-a-kind DIY clothing line that blends “repurposed garments with a digital collagist approach.” Based in Los Angeles, every piece is handmade.
Transgredete
Transgredete is a sustainable fashion brand based in Argentina that creates one-of-a-kind pieces with a distinctive Y2K and punk aesthetic, using upcycled fabrics.
Sirrah Archive
Sirrah Archive is an upcycled-bag brand that uses vintage charms and handbags as its guiding materials for creating timeless, nostalgic designs.
Banzo
Banzo, based in Mexico City, crafts one-of-a-kind pieces from deconstructed garments, transforming memories into tangible fashion statements. Each item is handmade and reflects a blend of heritage and contemporary style.
Clouwdez
Clouwdez, a Filipino-owned clothing brand based in California, embraces circularity as its core ethos. Each piece is made using deadstock, vintage, and/or second-hand materials, sourced sustainably from local vendors.
Rave Review
Rave Review is a high-end upcycle brand known for using recycled and upcycled materials to create luxury garments. Based in Stockholm, this brand merges punk with snob-core.
Who are your favorite upcycle designers?