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Saturday, February 4, 2012

CULTURE

Upcycling with ReMade USA

ReMade Founder Shannon South with the Ashbury (left) and Natoma (right) bags

With its swoon-worthy, one-of-a-kind bags (you may have seen them at Barney’s Co-Op, if not on the arms of the most coolly conscious girls around town), ReMade USA is redefining what it means to be both stylish and sustainable. What ReMade Founder Shannon South describes as “upcycling” can be describe as taking something we’d all pretty much call trash (say, that old leather jacket with the ripped sleeves and rhinestones on the shoulder) and completely transforming it into what we’d universally define as fashion treasure (namely, traffic-stopping slouchy bags with unforgettable details).

South’s design journey began 10 years ago, when as a student at The Royal College of Art in London, she taught herself how to manufacture bags after admiring the wares of independent designers in the famous Portobello Market in Notting Hill. After going on to earn a Master’s degree in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, she began learning more the environmental impact of product design and decided that, “the only way I’d feel good about producing products was if I knew I was doing it in a completely responsible way.” In 2009 she launched ReMade USA and the praise (and orders) have been avalanching in ever since.

With oversize shapes and an authentic hand-tooled effect, ReMade bags appeal to an urban boho aesthetic—chic enough for city streets, yet casually undone. When shopping the ReMade site, customers can choose from two collections: Ready-to-Order and One-Offs. Ready-to-Order bags are based on ReMade USA’s already established roster of bag styles. Customers can pick a style and color from the list on the ReMade website, and three weeks later, they will have a superbly finished ReMade USA bag that is—since the leather varies significantly from one batch to the next—one-of-a-kind by nature. One-Off bags are completely individual creations that will not be reproduced.

ReMade sources its leather primarily from thrift stores and scraps from the automotive industry, and uses vintage scarves as bag linings. The company also accepts leather donations and will custom make bags at a discount for customers who supply their own leather—a practice that South encourages. “There’s always a personal story attached to a customer’ own leather,” South says, “like that trip to Italy, a jacket that once belonged to a great-grandfather, a favorite vintage buy that needs a new life…” South can make custom designs from just about any leather jacket or piece, depending on what a customer likes. We asked South to go hunting with us on eBay for the perfect leather jacket to make into a ReMade USA creation. First, South provided us with a few tips for choosing the right piece:

1. The larger the size, the better because there is more leather to use. Small, cropped ladies jackets are usually not the best—unless they’re used for a small bag or clutch.

2. 80's style jackets and long coats are great to use because they often have more leather.

3. Look at the pocket details—the more interesting the details on the jacket, the more interesting the bag!

4. Pay attention to color and leather quality.

5. Make sure it comes from a smoke-free, mildew-free environment.

6. Scour places like eBay! You can find great vintage jackets for under $20!

 

Shannon South's eBay Picks For "ReMaking" Old Leather Jackets Into Covetable Handbags

Roll over items for details
Leather Coat
This coat seems to be in great condition! It has a fantastic color and an excellent price. The belt can probably be used as a strap. This coat works well for our
(buy it now price, $21)
Mens’ Retro Jacket
The pockets on this jacket are fun. I also love the color, and the price is phenomenal. It would work well for the Powell Bag or
(buy it now price, $19.99)
Power Blazer
This red blazer would work as an Alameda or
(buy it now price, $14.99)
Vintage Leather Jacket
This trench coat would be suitable for any bag style. The belt would make a great strap and the wrist detail straps would make a great design element.
(buy it now price, $19.99)
Camel Vintage Leather Jacket
leather jacket
(buy it now price, $25)
80s Vintage Leather Jacket
leather jacket
(buy it now price, $14.95)
Upcycling with ReMade USA

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cd4dba7c-0f4e-4e8f-9f59-e0cb3885ec51 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 06:55:08 PDT Wed, 10 Aug 2011 06:55:08 PDT
Carol Martin
comment-post

Are you able to remake a shearling jacket. the one i have is too big and bulky and I'd like something more stylish,but this was too expensive to just trash and buy another. Please let me kno how you go about it if you do. I live in NC.

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