Recycling and Innovative Re-Engineering Displayed at Trade Fair Event
In the heart of South Africa, a vibrant and innovative movement is taking shape. Upcycled craft products have become a crucial part of the sustainable fashion and artisanal movements, with several notable brands focusing on job creation, sustainability, and community empowerment.
One of the key brands leading this charge is LEZA, founded by Jodi Leza in Hout Bay, Cape Town. This brand transforms forgotten textiles into bold, wearable art, driven by sustainability and education to challenge fast fashion norms through local artisanal handiwork.
Another brand making waves is FredRich, established by Dinka Fredrich. This brand upcycles secondhand, vintage, and excess fabrics into unique garments while employing local seamstresses and beaders. FredRich is not only PETA-approved vegan but also promotes circular fashion and positive community impact.
Saucy Woodz, a Cape Town-based artist, repurposes broken skateboards into unique sustainable art pieces, embracing environmental-friendly craft practices. Meanwhile, Lilly Loompa focuses on upcycled plastic goods and reimagined glassware, emphasizing slow-made, creative, and locally inspired items.
Many of these brands actively engage local artisans, particularly women and youth, providing employment and skills development. For instance, FredRich supports local seamstresses and beaders, contributing to economic empowerment in communities.
On sustainability, these brands prioritize circular fashion through textile recycling, use of excess fabric, and repurposing materials like plastics and skateboards. They adopt ethical production approaches aligned with global movements like Fashion Revolution, emphasizing reducing waste and promoting eco-conscious consumerism.
The T-Bag Designs workshop in Hout Bay is another example of this sustainable approach. This workshop employs people from local townships to create functional art from dried, emptied, and painted teabags. The urban version of grass and palm bowls originally made by Zulu crafters was started by Zulu men working on the mines, using off-cuts of plastic-covered telephone wire.
If you are in South Africa, you can seek out these craft products in person. WTM Africa's Sustainability Village showcased upcycled craft products last week. These products are made in South Africa by small producers, with each piece unique and intricately patterned, such as the soft wire telephone bowls made by Zulu Telephone Wire work.
While not all craft products sold are suitable for tourists to carry home, authentic pieces of craft art are available. For example, Joanna Orr of Head On Design crafts iconic wildlife sculptures from sustainable and recycled materials such as bamboo, birch ply, and recycled board.
Purchasing these products aids in job creation, building capacity, and skills development. By supporting these brands, you are not only investing in unique, locally made items but also contributing to a more sustainable and empowered South Africa.
- LEZA, a brand based in Hout Bay, Cape Town, is transforming forgotten textiles into bold, wearable art, driven by sustainability and education, challenging fast fashion norms through local artisanal handiwork.
- Another brand, Saucy Woodz, repurposes broken skateboards into unique sustainable art pieces, embracing environmental-friendly craft practices.
- Lilly Loompa focuses on upcycled plastic goods and reimagined glassware, emphasizing slow-made, creative, and locally inspired items.
- Many of these brands actively engage local artisans, particularly women and youth, providing employment and skills development. For instance, FredRich supports local seamstresses and beaders, contributing to economic empowerment in communities.
- By purchasing upcycled craft products in South Africa, you can contribute to job creation, building capacity, and skills development, while investing in unique, locally made items that align with sustainable and empowered living.
