All our fabrics come from dormant stocks of major luxury brands (or “dead stock ” in English): these are new rolls that have not been used at the end of the season and which should have been thrown away. We buy them directly from these brands in order to revalue their stocks, which allows us to avoid overproducing new fabrics, even though there is already too much.
Reusing existing materials to give them a new life is what we call upcycling.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is a creative and eco-friendly practice that involves transforming used materials or products into new objects with different uses. For example, you can upcycle your grandmother's old curtains to make a dress.
Instead of simply throwing away or recycling, upcycling aims to give objects a second life by reusing them. In other words, it's a bit like making something new out of something old.
What is the difference between upcycling and recycling?
The term “upcycling” first appeared in the mid-1990s. Reiner Pilz, a German interior designer, contrasted traditional recycling, which he called “downcycling” (which destroys everything), with upcycling, where unused products gain value instead of losing it.
Indeed, traditional recycling involves recovering material from several products to then create a new raw material. For example, plastic bottles are recycled by crushing them to obtain plastic flakes, which are then melted down to produce new bottles. Recycling involves energy-intensive and costly industrial processes: use of pesticides, excessive water consumption, chemical treatments, pollution, etc.
Upcycling does not chemically transform objects. By diverting objects from their original use, we avoid the production of new products and limit their environmental impact. Upcycling is therefore fully in line with a circular economy approach, extending product lifecycles and reducing waste.
Upcycling for more authentic fashion
Upcycling isn't just a responsible choice for the planet; it's also a way to fully express your creativity. You have the freedom to create unique pieces that no one else will have. By taking ownership of each step of the manufacturing process, you're relearning how to do things yourself, while also making a concrete gesture for the planet.
Finally, upcycling is also an opportunity to spend some time with yourself: a little meditative interlude, after which you will be proud to have made something with your own hands.
Byronesque x Margiela, Photography by Annie Powers
