Recycling isn’t that much fun, let’s face it, and throwing out old fabrics, papers, metals, spoons and what not, isn’t either, but its easy, there’s little thought to it. But in the fashion world all this trash talk is getting some designers digging for inspiration for high trends. In Kenya brands, organizations and individual designers establish a use for leftovers to create small to grand dresses, jewelry, bags and other accessories.

Take a jump wearing a dress made out of a discarded parachute: Kenyan based designer Nike Kondakis creates an ethical spin on designs using recycled parachutes and even incorporates the draw strings within the outfit. The dresses are billowy, long or short, made into tube dresses or halter gowns, and the designer even creates swimsuits and fittingly, jumpsuits. Seriously impressive! There is an air about these designs, a refreshing take on using recycled material. Kondakis also does a jewelry line, using dead wood, wood that has naturally died, or broken off a branch. Bangles, necklaces and earrings are kept thick and natural looking, accenting your body organically.

Mary, a petite woman living in the outskirts of Nairobi, gathers plastic bags, and shreds them into long strips, she then knits them into strong, colorful handbags, that I could see taking down as a beach purse or something to use on a quick run to the store. It takes Mary two hours to knit a bag, but she also uses old videotape reels to make sun hats. It’s not exactly high end couture, but it makes sense, not only environmentally, but also fashionably.

Designer Njee, for Zanja Art integrates a funky and resourceful use of beautiful discarded spoons, knives, and forks to create bracelets, necklaces and rings. The concept isn’t a new thing, but its great for emerging designers to embrace and put their edge into it, creating something new out of something old, in more ways than one!

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