As more conscious consumers seek alternatives to fast fashion, the demand for repair, upcycling, and slow fashion has surged. People are increasingly looking to extend the life of their clothing through repair or purchase items crafted from repurposed materials, aligning with a growing commitment to reducing waste. Several forward-thinking brands are leading the charge by turning waste into beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces. From repurposed vintage textiles to discarded truck tarps and fire hoses, these brands are proving that upcycled fashion is not only eco-friendly but also innovative and luxurious. In this article, we explore three standout brands—Beyond Retro, Freitag and CLED—each with a unique approach to transforming discarded materials into stunning, timeless designs that challenge the fast fashion model.

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1. Beyond Retro - B corp

Instagram | @beyondretro
Brand Born in | United Kingdom
Shipping | Worldwide

Beyond Retro stands as the premier vintage retailer across the UK, Sweden, and Finland, curating an exceptional collection of handpicked vintage fashion since its inception in 2002. Renowned for blending sustainability with style, the brand offers on-trend, one-of-a-kind pieces that champion a more eco-conscious approach to fashion. At the heart of Beyond Retro's mission is a commitment to circular fashion, actively diverting items from landfills and extending the lifecycle of garments. With over seven million items given a renewed lease on life and innovative collaborations, such as with Converse to create 100% upcycled products, the company continues to lead the charge in reshaping the fashion industry. Beyond Remade by Beyond Retro features a collection of items crafted entirely from repurposed garments. This initiative aims to promote sustainability in fashion by transforming discarded clothing into new, stylish pieces. 

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2. Freitag 

Instagram | @millerharris
Brand Born in | Swiss
Shipping | Worldwide

Freitag began in 1993 when brothers Daniel and Markus Freitag created a bag from a used truck tarp, discarded bicycle inner tubes, and car safety belts. If you are looking for unique messenger and backpack designs, you will find long-lasting, timeless, and thought-through designs. Their process involves sourcing around 340 tons of used truck tarps annually through dedicated "Truckspotters" who collect and prepare tarps for production. Once acquired, the tarps are dismantled, washed, and transformed into durable, high-quality pieces through careful design and assembly. With a mission to reduce waste, FREITAG uses a five-step production process that includes material sourcing, tarp cleaning, design, cutting, and assembly with the help of European partners. FREITAG's Circularity Roadmap outlines their long-term goals to minimize waste and close resource loops. This strategy emphasizes "Circular Products," "Circular Services," and "Circular Operations," reflecting FREITAG's ambition to be a leader in the circular economy.

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3.  CLED 

Instagram | @cled
Brand Born in | United States
Shipping | Worldwide

CLED (Conscious Lifestyle & Ethical Design) is a jewelry brand that creates eco-friendly, handcrafted pieces from upcycled glass. They focus on sustainability by transforming discarded glass—sourced from local establishments like restaurants and bars in Los Angeles—into high-quality, unique gems called Eco Gems™. CLED aims to reduce waste by utilizing recycled glass and avoiding the use of new raw materials. Each gem undergoes a detailed process of cleaning, forming, and polishing, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces that highlight the natural beauty and inclusivity of imperfections in the glass. The brand is committed to eco-conscious packaging as well, using recycled materials, plastic-free packaging, and plant-based inks. Their jewelry packaging includes an anti-tarnish cotton pouch and acid-free paper to protect the pieces sustainably. CLED’s designs are meant to showcase the beauty in recycled materials, emphasizing that upcycled, sustainable fashion can be luxurious and high quality.

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