Would You Wear a Recycled Dress?

Would You Wear a Recycled Dress?

When it comes to celebrities, the term “recycled” gets a new meaning. Apparently, we are so much used to the idea that for each of their red-carpet appearances, the most famous men and women wear something they (or any other celebrity) have never worn before that it makes the headlines if we catch them wearing the same dress twice (let alone copy the look of another famous face). Besides, celebrities often use their fashion choices to make a statement, and we’ve grown to expect them to do so. But have you ever seen one to wear a truly “recycled dress” – as in made of recycled materials? And let me ask you an even better question: would you do it? Because there are a few choices out there that make it possible.

Vin and Omi

Fashion designers Vin and Omi consider themselves to be more than just a fashion label: they think of themselves as an ideology. The two designers are among the pioneers of eco-fashion today, coupling the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable materials with strong messages conveyed to the public.

At the London Fashion Week this year, the designers said that there is no way high street clothes sold at a low cost to be ethical. Instead of relying on a similar business model, the pair has developed several eco textiles made of various recyclable materials, including a “leather” made from chestnut skins, and a fabric similar to wool created out of recycled plastic bottles. For them, designing clothes is more than just a passion – it’s a political message using fashion as a medium.

Christopher Raeburn

Christopher Raeburn made a name for himself through an innovative approach to fashion. He gained recognition for the ethical integrity of his work – albeit, as he said, this was not his intention. “We only do three things. We either remake, we recycle or we reduce,” he recently told the press. “Ultimately I think as humans we cannot continue consuming in the way that we are, and not just clothing – everything from product design to food, is incredibly wasteful”.

The 81 lb Challenge

Last but not least, let us mention an initiative meant to turn discarded clothing into high fashion worthy of a runway: The 81 lb Challenge. The initiative launched last year had the goal of making both the industry and the public rethink and reuse textiles instead of simply discarding them. As part of the Eco Fashion Week in Vancouver last year, designer Evan Biddell showcased a collection of garments made entirely of re-purposed, recycled, and reconstructed materials with the expressed goal of raising the fashion industry’s awareness about its wasteful nature.

Would you wear any of the garments created by the eco-minded designers above?