Recycling in fashion, in all its forms

What is the “dark” side of fashion which, at the same time, is also what makes it so desirable? Its continuous evolution, for better or for worse. And the evil, in the spasmodic succession of trends and new clothing items, are the tons of clothes that are thrown away every year for the most diverse reasons: poorly thought out purchases, which then turn out to be little in harmony with those who buy, the desire to change, the need to make room for the new.

The impact of so much waste, more often than not difficult to dispose of, has been triggering for decades of alarming consequences for the environment. But there is good news: not only is eco-awareness reaching more and more buyers, preferring quality purchases that can last over time, but in fact recycling in its most varied nuances has become synonymous with coolness. Today, March 18, is celebrated the World Recycling Day: what better time to understand what this word means, in a literal but also a broad sense, in fashion? \

The difference between recycling and upcycling

Necessary clarification: in Italian the English terms recycling And upcycling they are synonymous, but they actually have very different meaningsthe.

The firstconcerns the actual recycling processes of the materials (textiles and not only) that make up the clothing, such as the different ways to dispose of them, or the various stages to bring them back to the first stages of production, to give life to other clothes from scratch: several steps in which the involvement of companies in technological research and innovation is fundamental, in order to make the most (and in some cases, infinitely), the old clothes in material sources.

The whole principle behind it of upcycling instead, it is to take used clothes and create new garments or accessories without destroying them: it is creativity, in particular, that makes them “rise” (up) level and represent something unique and original in the personal wardrobe. The advantages of both are many: in recycling, production costs are lower as regards materials, allowing companies to save on supply and, potentially, lower prices also to the final consumer. Furthermore, in this case as well as in upcycling, landfills receive less waste, reducing the impact of the latter on the environment.

Upcycling, art and fashion

The reinvent old or used clothing it is a real art, which is often promoted by the brands themselves as a pure form of expression and – why not? – promotion of new talents. The project is an example of this Recycle Tabiby Maison Margiela, which has made upcycling the perfect medium to allow three young artists to reinterpret the brand’s iconic shoe.

From recycled materials to fashion creations

The creation of new textiles for fashion collections it can really put a strain on the planet’s natural resources, both in basic supply and in subsequent production mechanisms, such as dyeing.