Posted on August 31, 2022.

When referring to the term ‘upcycling’, many people recall images of poorly executed DIY projects, a roughly painted chest of drawers or an old glass bottle that has been repurposed into candle. While all of these have a place and play a part in the shift towards a circular economy, there is a new wave of fashion-forward designers, across a variety of industries, who are showing us how a statement, design-led aesthetic can be achieved through upcycling.

While the craft should not be confused with, or misinterpreted as, restoration, the attitude towards it as a relevant industry still needs to improve. Many within the interiors world often discount ‘upcyclers’ as amateur craftspeople but now, thanks to those working hard to rebrand the craft, a spotlight is shining on the professional studios who continue to produce astounding results.

UK-based Patience and Gough, a design duo based in Cumbria in Northern England, are seeking to change people’s stereotypical association of upcycling. Moving away from the shabby chic aesthetic which has become closely associated to it, the creative team are leading the industry with their defined design aesthetic. Originally starting out six years ago, Alice Patience turned her passion into a business before meeting Oliver Gough where they joined forces to create the studio as it stands today.

The duo are pleased to be part of the upcycling movement and Gough is positive about the future. “Now the whole upcycling world has changed,” he states, “and talented designers and artists are seeing furniture as the new canvas for their work, breeding interesting and innovative designs.” With social media and other digital outlets engaging the interest of many who love to see the transformations take place, the desire for a piece with a creative story behind it has become extremely attractive.

The studio is constantly looking at ways to improve its offering, working with materials which may have otherwise been disposed of. This year will see the launch of its own fabric collection, made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. The studio’s work has caught the attention of industry heavyweights and has recently embarked on a collaboration with Liberty. “This is a huge step for the upcycling community,” continues Gough, “and we are proud that a shop with such prestige as Liberty is willing to lead the way and push recycled furniture forward.”

When speaking with the creative team at Liberty, they are excited to develop their offering of upcycled furniture. “It has grown to become an artistic movement enveloping craftsmanship, creativity and artistic flare.” comments Calum Wild, a member of the buying team at the store. “The renaissance of upcycling has pushed beyond amateur restoration to become a skilled craft. Pieces are lovingly restored blending heritage design with modernity to create a new hybrid which will sit proudly within every interior.”

Giving furniture a new lease of life also prevents the risk of it ending up in landfill. With the UK generating 222.9 million tonnes of waste each year, the need to reduce this is critical. The pieces by Patience and Gough selected for London’s iconic store capture the design possibilities of the craft beautifully.

While upcycling has become a buzzword over the last few years, regaining its status has not been an easy task. Chris Billinghurst, founder of The House of Upcycling has worked tirelessly to bring it back into the spotlight. Six years ago she set out on her mission to provide a platform which represents the industry and connects it with wider markets, giving many the chance to pursue their craft as a sole business opportunity.

Looking over the history of upcycling, Billinghurst explains, “It has been around in various guises for centuries, however, historically its success has not been based on aesthetics or sustainability, but rather on a lack of available materials, or simply the necessity for thrift.” Elevating it as a luxury craft was never going to be an easy task but Billinghurst continued forward. In 2014, after seeing many artisans investing professionally into their skills, and with no community nucleus, she instigated the first social media networking hour on Twitter (#UpcycledHour) which then ran for 5 years and united the network of professional upcyclers within the UK. With the platform now featuring a wide variety of artisans, many rely on the opportunities it brings and enjoy how it gives them more time to focus on the work itself.

Initially the community was turned away by national interiors and home improvement shows, which led to them hosting their own events. However, the tables are starting to turn. “We are now in a position where events companies seek us out.” continues Billinghurst, “We have appeared at several national events including the House & Garden Festival, with members of our organisation hosting their own stands at 100% Design and showcasing their work at Decorex. Any such opportunities would have been unthinkable six years ago.”

Looking forward to the future, Billinghurst is optimistic. “We can't rest on our laurels as we are still a newcomer within the design industry and there is still some way to go before we can be assured that upcycling has the longevity it needs to support our environment, our individuality and our economy.” A recent meeting with QEST (The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust) discussed the synergy and benefits that exist between traditional crafts and upcycling and how skills and knowledge could be shared to benefit both genres of artisan. The platform has also worked alongside the KLC School of Design providing tutorials on the work of professional upcyclers.

Going back to the craft itself, clients are drawn to the personal stories each piece can tell. Sue Gifford, a designer based in Ireland and a member of the House of Upcycling, creates bespoke designs often according to a client’s brief. Each piece she creates imbues a narrative which represents the owner and fills the home with a memoir which will be passed down through generations.

Heather Orr, a specialist in constructed textiles, has also made upcycling a core element of her business. Taking existing lampshades and stripping them back, she gives them a revived aesthetic with new yarn offered in a range of colours and designs. Using reclaimed materials, she reinterprets vintage designs making them relevant to a contemporary interior.

Interiors is not the only industry where designers are integrating this artistry within their brand. Fashion designer Patrick McDowell upcycles fabrics within his collections, adorning many designs with reclaimed Swarovski crystals. Turning heads in the fashion world, his work showcases the creativity it can encourage.

While it may not cater to everyones taste, the possibilities within upcycling are bringing a new dynamic to many creative worlds. Shedding its former identity, which was shrouded in uncertainty, this artisanal movement is one which definitely now has a place in the circular economy we are striving to build.

Source: Forbes.com