Upcyled Double Denim is Having A Moment

For fashion girlies, fall is the season when "real" outfits come into swing and the skill of layering becomes the most important element of their styling process. Denim plays an imperative role in layering and while the fabric has been a mainstay in fashion communities since the 17th century, it seems full denim looks are the season's most coveted approach. 

New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024 solidified that head-to-toe denim looks have returned once again, from LaQuan Smith's  denim turtleneck and trouser ensemble to Sami Miro's live reworking demonstration. With attendees like June Ambrose and Lucius Firmin also taking part in the trend's fall revival, denim has arrived in playful forms like a conjoined, two-headed denim jacket from Jagne and ultra-flared, distressed jeans with bedazzling and embroidery text details from Who Decides War.

While fast fashion retailers fill their flagships with full suites of denim offerings to keep up with the trend, smaller boutiques and creators have aptly created unique, reworked one of one pieces to elevate their fall wardrobe. From funky denim bags to wearable creatures and corsets, these creatives are bringing sustainable practices to the head-to-toe denim trend.

To find unique ways to build your own denim look with sustainability at the forefront, read about the upcyclers, designers, and creators below. 

Sami Miro Vintage

Whether it's denim cuffed sleeves or a bust corset, Sami Miro Vintage brings eco-conscious strategies to elevated fashion. The LA-based designer specializes in constructing vintage womenswear through suits, asymmetric pants, and miscellaneous accessories like denim leg warmers. With clothing offerings organized by "Leftover Accessories," "Reworked" and "Up-cycled" collections, Sami Miro puts environmentally-conscious practices at the forefront of their supply chain strategy, using materials such as eco-mesh, organic eucalyptus rib, organic hemp french terry, and vintage denim cloths. Bringing their "ZERO WASTE" to their NYFW Presentation this season, the brand showcased how sustainable fashion can still be luxe.

Funky Grunge Boutique

Bring your denim look full circle with a bold purse by Funky Grunge Boutique. Tangie Bell's specialty is "ripping up janky jeans" to make "crazy weird bags." With her tagline of turning "junk into funk," Funky Grunge Boutique is all about loud denim bags. Layering multiple types of washes, adding zippers, studs, dice, and clothespins as embellishments, Tangie sews both stories and drama into preloved, thrifted finds, turning them into wearable art.

clouwdez

Wyatt Tagudar takes his interest in indigenous Philippine tattoo practice "mambabatok" and fuses it with vintage, secondhand clothing to create 1 of 1 bottoms. The California creative, turns "minor defects" into ethereal Y2K-inspired skirts and pants with ribbon, lace and loop detailing.

HUNTILANAK

Wear 3-D denim recreations of Asian masks on your back with HUNTILANAK's denim jackets. This Malaysian-based artist, Ryan, takes inspiration from traditional Asian masks to create wearable art, using thread and often times flames. From protruding horns, eyes, and teeth, the piece comes to life with added movement and dimension.

Glazed NYC

Run by college friends turned entrepreneurs Banna Nega and Shelby Macklin, Glazed NYC is a multidisciplinary design studio where your old clothes are recreated into an entirely new item. From a deadstock leather skirt that doubles as a purse to a reconstructed denim skirt with a hidden zippered slip, the duo turns material waste into innovative and elevated staples by working individually with customers to design timeless garments that stay true to their personal style. Strengthen your arsenal of staple pieces and resist trend culture with customizations and renewals by Glazed NYC.

Doing it Yourself with Cameron André

Balling on a budget might mean doing it yourself and Cameron André does it well. The actor, photographer, and designer created a matching flared pants and hat set for his birthday by hand, using multi-washed denim patches to bring his '70s style some added color. Paired with some snakeskin boots and a frilled blouse, Cameron rang in his 20s in style.