UPCYCLING

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES OF SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability, also known as eco-friendly, is a growing movement within the creative industry that prioritizes environmental and social responsibility. Its goal is to minimize the negative impact of the creative industry, including fashion, art, and design, on the planet. Sustainability includes practices like using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste through recycling and upcycling, ensuring fair labor, and designing durable products. It promotes a shift away from the fast consumerism, encouraging consumers to make mindful and eco-conscious choices. By supporting sustainability, we can contribute to a more responsible and harmonious relationship between what we want and the world we live in.

How can upcycling change the industry

Upcycling is currently one of the biggest macro trends in the sustainability movement. It causes a major shift in the industry towards more responsible, circular practices through a creative perspective. Repurposing and transforming old or used materials into new products is what makes upcycling a key aspect in the shift towards sustainability.
Designers and consumers alike are embracing the value of upcycling. For designers, it sparks innovation and creativity, turning discarded materials into art with a second change at life. Consumers recognize that creativity can combine style and sustainability, resulting in a collective belief that our choices can shape a greener future. In this trend, upcycling goes beyond practice; it’s a shared commitment where each item reflects conscious choices, shaping sustainability.

Upcycling as a trend

Taking upcycling to the next level, a micro trend has emerged within the sustainability movement that is particularly popular within the creative industry. Moreover some designers are embracing the use of unconventional materials that are usually not associated with their original intend. This is an avant-garde approach that involves using materials that were originally created with a purpose other than the purpose of its new life. The trend imagines endless possibilities, allowing the designer to think beyond what is known, to create art that is made through an unconventional perspective. Even though the trend of upcycling has been around for a while now,  this micro trend has not fully reached its spotlight.
Therefore this trend is a great example of how eco-friendly practices can bring a new perspective on what creativity is. It challenges the current industry, inspires creativity, and shows us the endless possibilities of sustainability and unique expression. It is for this reason that Launch has decided to highlight unconventional upcycling for its new topic. We have handpicked talents that embrace this creative movement of sustainability, deepdiving into their creative world of unconventional upcycling.