All this time in quarantine has forced many of us to clean out our closets. But what if you could turn the discarded clothing into beautiful objects? A new collaboration from Allbirds and Chinatown Market is designed to spur your imagination.
The two brands are joining forces to sell six handcrafted works of art made from shoe scraps. There’s a functional beach chair made with a patchwork of fabrics, a vest that features sneaker eyelets in a fun design, and two bags with laces for straps. My favorite are slippers with cute little pockets on top. The online auction begins Friday and will last 72 hours. All proceeds will go to the Okra Project, which supports Black trans people, and the Sunrise Movement, which is devoted to climate change.
Mike Cherman, Chinatown Market’s founder, has long admired the work of designerNicole McLaughlin, who specializes in upcycling items destined for the landfill, turning them into fantastical, eye-catching works of art. Cherman brought her into this collaboration. In the past, McLaughlin has worked with brands such as Prada, Puma, and Opening Ceremony, and she’s also led courses that teach others how to make their own upcycled creations. She’s particularly well-known for her shoe series, which is made from objects such as tennis and soccer balls, camera straps, wet wipe packages, and ice trays. These items aren’t meant to be functional but rather to inspire people to get creative. “I want to show people what is possible with upcycling, so they can do it themselves,” says McLaughlin.McLaughlin was particularly excited about the objects Allbirds gave her, which consisted of shoe samples and swatches of fabric for Allbirds prototypes. “In some cases, I only got a single shoe, rather than a pair,” says McLaughlin. “Most people don’t realize how much waste is created in the design process, but I love to work with these materials because they are destined to be thrown away.”
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