REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE. WHEN IT COMES TO REPURPOSING EXISTING MATERIALS THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. 

Do you believe in reincarnation? You should, the notion of death and rebirth rooted in ancient spiritual texts is overdue its 21st century trending moment. Don’t worry we’re not evangelising; you can keep your soul and your karma – good or bad – it’s your waste that we’re after. It too can be born again. A growing number of core, contemporary and luxury brands are working at the fore of the circular economy to reposition fashion and consumption within the ecosystems that are vital to the Earth’s survival. Where Prada upcycles waste plastic to create its signature ReNylon faille, VEJA transforms recycled polyester into the B-mesh and Hexamesh panels that make up the French brands iconic sneakers. The creativity doesn’t end there, a new vanguard of conscious designers are combining their art with their activism to tackle global problems; New York’s Sky High Farm Workwear designs clothing to fundraise for food sovereignty, while neighbouring Collina Strada leverages it’s platform for climate and social awareness. Inspired, LN-CC marks Global Recycling Day and celebrates creativity in the circular economy with an innovative collaboration. Join us as we enter the world of Maya Golyshkina to discover a custom LN-CC Queen of Hearts playing card accessorised with a Collina Strada shoulder bag, and ask why the VEJA sneakers are in the microwave?

It is more interesting to put sneakers in a microwave than a simple shoe box.

– Maya Golyshkina

“Why not?” Maya Golyshkina’s approach to fashion and art is galvanising, the 21-year-old has carved out a universe of her own ideas using her body and household objects for building materials. Her painted toilets, self-portrait printed plates and wearable structures have won her a league of online fans and creative collaborators. Each assimilation of playing cards, toothbrushes, coffee beans, parcel tape and cutlery a coded message that inspiration can be found anywhere. In this case, Golyshkina is moved to wear a supersized Prada ReNylon pouch and incorporate Sky High Farm’s vivid knits into her bodily canvas.

WHY ARE THE CONCEPTS OF REUSE AND RECYCLE IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK?

I think for me it’s really important to make magic and something outstanding out of simple daily objects. The artworks I create are put together for the purpose of being photographed, then they are usually recycled or upcycled for other projects giving them a constantly evolving purpose so that one execution can live on into the next.

HOW HAVE YOUR SELF-PORTRAITS IMPACTED YOUR SELF-IMAGE?It has helped me accept myself and my whole body, my whole self. My body celebrates my character and I hope it reveals its versatility and its strength. This self representation as an artist makes me more vulnerable and accessible to my audience.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO REUSE THEIR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AS ART?

Don’t be scared to experiment with everything you have around you, there are no boundaries to explore your own creativity.

It is important to acknowledge the preponderance of good design in the world, and to break our infatuation with newness.

- Daphne Seybold, Sky High Farm Workwear

Bridging the gap between food, fashion and fundraising, Sky High Farm Workwear activates consumer culture in pursuit of a more just food system – donating 50% of its profits to support the charitable 30-acre Hudson Valley farm after which it’s named. As Maya Golyshkina reminds us of the brand’s connection to the planet, Co-Founder, Co-CEO and CMO Daphne Seybold explains why recycling is inherent to its identity. Prioritising the use of deadstock, recycled and upcycled materials in its collections, the New York label bridges the gap between regenerative farming and food access initiatives, carving out a new model for corporate consciousness. As the global zeitgeist continues to tussle with pulleys of shopping and sustainability, Sky High Farm Workwear leverages consumer culture in pursuit of a more just food system. The brands profits support the 30-acre Hudson Valley farm after which it’s named; a non-profit that bridges the gap between regenerative farming and New York’s food access initiatives.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR CUSTOMERS RECYCLE OR REUSE YOUR PRODUCTS?

I would love for our customers to conceive of our clothes as never having an expiration. Beautifully and well-crafted objects aren’t made to be retired or ascribed the value of ‘old’ or ‘new’, they’re just good. Wear our collections now and always.

HOW DOES MAYA’S REIMAGING OF SKY HIGH FARM WORKWEAR TIE IN WITH YOUR VISION FOR THE BRAND?

Maya connected Sky High Farm with the earth. Sky High Farm Workwear wishes to engage everyone with Sky High Farm 501C3 - the very reason we created our brand. The farm employs regenerative methods in its farming practices - its approach is holistic, and focused on biodiversity, improving and protecting soil and supporting an ecosystem that works to mitigate the harmful effects of carbon on our planet.

WHAT IS THE ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU ARE DOING AS A BRAND TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT?

We wish to reconstitute the notion of waste - to reimbue existing goods and materials with value and honor the preponderance of strong design that already exists in the world.

Rebirth and cyclicality are how nature operates, and were fundamental concepts in our shared history folklores and myths. They feel out of place today because they conflict with obsessions of plastic perfect newness.

- Kiki Karayiannis, Vasiliki 

Handmade in Athens using the ancient process of casting molten wax, Vasiliki jewels are seductively organic and fluid. The brand’s application of traditional craftsmanship is inspired by both an interest in mythology, and a commitment to sustainable design. Like all Vasiliki pieces, the Labyrinth bracelet wrapped around Maya Golyshkina’s flower-painted wrist is the result of thorough research into the origin and impact of every recycled metal or ethically excavated gemstone. Founder and designer Kiki Karayiannis describes how transformation is central to Vasiliki’s aesthetics, construction and conscience.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR CUSTOMERS RECYCLE OR REUSE YOUR JEWELLERY?

We make our pieces to last and understand them as emotional acquisitions. I like imagining them being part of someone’s everyday for years… Then being passed on to a loved one, and again to one of their loved ones. Eventually being seen as something like a relic.

WHY ARE THE CONCEPTS OF REUSE AND RECYCLE IMPORTANT TO YOUR DESIGNS?

The inspiration behind each Vasiliki is found in transforming characters, extracted from ancient modern fantasy narratives, like naughty shapeshifting naiad nymphs and in natural organisms.Rebirth and cyclicality are how nature operates and were fundamental concepts in our shared history folklores and myths. They feel out of place today because they conflict with obsessions of plastic perfect newness.

WHAT IS THE ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU ARE DOING AS A BRAND TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT?

From the beginning we've been questioning and challenging conventions. We heavily research the origins and the environmental impacts of our process to ensure that we aren’t contributing to exploitative practices. Our pieces are made solely from recycled precious metals with previous lives as silver spoons or gold teeth, which are metamorphosed into Vasiliki. We only work with fairtrade gemstones, which are fully traceable and responsibly mined from conflict free areas. Ensuring that miners are paid fairly and local communities are reinvested in.