This two-piece set was created by transforming a thrifted trench coat into a bomber jacket and matching skirt. Black bias tape was added to give it a bold, sporty aesthetic inspired by classic athletic wear. By reimagining a pre-loved garment, the design extends its lifespan, reduces textile waste, and demonstrates how creativity and craftsmanship can turn discarded clothing into a stylish, contemporary statement.

SI@simplymilly

For decades, office shirts and trousers symbolized structure and conformity. I reimagined them as confidence. I deconstructed 5 discarded men’s office shirts and 1 damaged trouser, sourced from a thrift market, into a 5-piece ensemble: a cropped hoodie, bralette, structured boned underbust corset with precision topstitching, patchwork balloon pants with ankle ties, and a zero-waste tote made entirely from scraps. Every print was intentionally placed for harmony by deconstructing, pattern drafting, corsetry, patchworking and reconstruction.No new fabric was purchased. Nothing was wasted. Designed for creative workplaces, fashion events and fashion-forward social settings, the aim was not simply to make recycled fashion astounding or beautiful, but genuinely desirable and wearable and a look which redefines professionalism as relaxed, expressive, sustainable and confident.

YA@yaps

Created from the wrappers of Bumboo toilet roll and cardboard... Displayed in our charity shop window in Swansea to demonstrate recycling, sustainability, imagination and highlight our charity Greyhound Rescue Wales, every month we use items that would go to waste to make outfits that wow! Customers love them nearly as much as I enjoy making them!

GR@greyhoundwales

This colourful blanket has been sitting in my father's closet for more than 10 years, waiting for someone to use it. But nobody wanted it, 'cause we already have so many blankets. I thought " what a waste!" and decided to rescue it and transform it into my new sweater! I cut the pieces following the Mood fabrics sweater pattern, sewed them together with my sewing machine, installed a zipper, added some cute pink armcuffs, and decided to make it "cropped" with an elastic waistband which was more my style. I couldn't believe how this piece would come out, becoming one of my favourite! I love to wear it in autumn and winter 'cause it's the coziest thing ever! I'm so glad it's not sitting in a closet collecting dust anymore! I'm Katy, from Rome, Italy. I rescue and recycle textile materials around the Eternal City, host swap parties and advocate for an ethic and fair fashion world. Thanks for having me!

KA@katyalessandri

Vanmade only works with clothes that are thrown away. Like these jeans trousers. I picked them from the street just before the garbageman took them. There were huge holes at the knees and a stain a little way down the leg. I decided to make two chickenpatches from denim and free styled machine stitched them including all the tiny details. Then I covered the stain with a broken egg and the two chickens are discussing this issue together. There are many ways to prevent garments from going to the landfill and I try to do my best to do my part and with that I use a bit of humor!

VA@vanmade

This one-of-a-kind dress was created by transforming discarded denim jeans and second-hand shirts into a dramatic corset-inspired silhouette. The structured bodice features exposed denim seams that enhance texture and shape, while metal studs below the bust add a bold, edgy detail. The sides are finished with eyelets and lace-up closures, allowing the fit and skirt volume to be adjusted. The asymmetrical skirt combines different denim washes and repurposed shirt

ME@mel_upcycling

This piece was salvaged from a textile waste site in São Paulo, where unsold secondhand clothing often ends up on the streets and are sent to landfills. To enhance the piece, studies of forms and textile interventions were conducted on the knitwear, using donated yarns and a tank top, also rescued from the street. The entire piece was handcrafted over approximately 30 hours. Designed to be worn at music festivals, this outfit gives people the freedom to express themselves and show their personality through fashion.

LU@lunna_luyet

DEVORA is the materialization of my artistic self: a purple, urban monster, hungry for creation. The piece was constructed from approximately 15 pairs of jeans, sourced from thrift stores and donated by friends and family. I took each pair apart and reconstructed its fragments onto a donated denim base. The entire piece, including the hood, was sewn entirely by me. I live in Bom Retiro, a neighborhood known for its garment factories and intense textile production. With sustainability in mind, I also collected discarded materials from the streets, such as tulle, ropes, rivets, and other notions, incorporating them into the piece. Each pair of jeans and every fragment represents a part of me: a self shaped by the neighborhood, by the city of São Paulo, and by the experiences that have molded me as an artist.

MA@maryzanah

Woven Legacy transforms discarded denim into wearable art. All materials were sourced from thrift stores during the pandemic, giving forgotten garments a second life. The handwoven sando is made from denim side seams, the mermaid skirt from reclaimed denim waistbands, and the dramatic cape from denim patchwork. Every detail celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability—turning waste into timeless couture.

NA@nard_redoble

Sin Patrones - This look was created entirely by hand, using different repurposed fabrics and giving each material a new life. I wanted to experiment with contrasts in texture, structure and colour, combining denim with lightweight outerwear fabrics to create a complete outfit from pieces that were never originally meant to belong together. For me, upcycling is not only about giving materials a second life. It is also about giving people the freedom to reinterpret what already exists and turn it into something personal, confident and unique.

SI@sinpatrones

Thriftflip: I turn rejected ukay-ukay bags into high-fashion masterpieces. Faced with unsellable, wrinkled, and hole-ridden vintage bags, I chose to create art. This streetwear piece is purely hand-sewn, featuring a vibrant, custom-embroidered cat on the back. I endured hours forcing a needle through heavy canvas, leather, and rubber glue just to bring this to life. Even better? The hood and backpack are fully detachable. It’s unique, sustainable, and proof that thrift can become luxury."

AB@abykilo

Giving production remnants a second life & the planet another chance Reimagined through thoughtful design and skilled craftsmanship, what was once considered waste becomes a garment with purpose and lasting value. A new story to tell. Crafted from reclaimed mosquito netting, reimagined as a versatile vest that moves effortlessly from casual daytime wear to an elevated cocktail look proving that sustainability and sophistication can exist in the same piece. #thriftflip

IS@isabela

This vest is made out of discarded 100% wool fabric swatches , featuring a polyester old towel inner layer that provides softness and helps retain body heat and velvet trim around the neckline from an old kids dress I like to repurpose quality materials designed to last and give them the chance to tell a new story #thriftflip #sustainability #repurpose #trashformingdesign

IS@isabela

This piece was crafted by upcycling 6 pairs of discarded jeans and a brushed jersey skirt. Inspired by Buenos Aires' identity, it reflects the art of tango and fileteado. It incorporates salvaged elements like old zippers and English seam strips that I separate to reuse. To shape the garment, I worked the pattern-making plastically and manually directly on the mannequin, ensuring the final design retains the power of handcrafted work.

LA@lapolilla

With this design, I wanted to tell a story about real life. Therefore, I deliberately chose uneven, reclaimed denim and mixed techniques, wanting to show that contrasting elements can come together and truly shine. ​Textured with embroidery, softened by crochet, and touched by the glow of an auroral stamp, it’s more than just a fashionable everyday skirt—it is a reminder that creativity has no rules, and that comfort and art can walk hand-in-hand.

MA@marques