That's Not Rubbish! Upcycled and Circular Fashion.

In the season 2 finale, Emma Casey of Landfall Leatherworks shares how circumnavigating the globe and upcycling sails into bags are bound by one theme — embracing the unexpected. This episode promises to leave you not only inspired to sew, but to plan a trip ASAP. As mentioned, this episode wraps up one year and two seasons of  That’s Not Rubbish! We want to thank you for supporting our community...

Get on your vespa and don your vintage headscarves! We have a date with Italian deadstock and Mod upcycler, Vittoria Buraschi of Unimpressed Studios. Made in Italy and captivated by the allure of luxury fashion, Vittoria’s résumé includes collaborations with some of the most iconic fashion houses under the sun, from Roberto Cavalli to Dior. Now, Vittoria is channeling her rich experience with her...

Out with fashion week’s luxury looks and in with the glitter and pashminas, it’s festival season, baby! That’s right, we’re celebrating a shiny, naked fashion world with our favorite thrift-flipping rave queen, Brooke Karasack of Controlled Chaos. From festival stories to thrift secrets, we have lots to talk about. Let’s get into it. SOURCES Controlled Chaos on IG Brooklyn Karasack on Tik Tok Good...

We’re going behind the scenes and to the dinner table with Melanie Wong. Founder of Meadow Land, Craigslist connoisseur, and costume designer for a traveling Stars Wars burlesque show - Mel has quite the resume. When she’s not designing for others, Mel designs for the inner child. Taking preloved, intricately detailed tablecloths and transforming them into ethereal slips, camis, and more. Fashion...

Meet Southern Florida's upcycled bong queen. Inspired by the lack of femininity in your standard smoke shop (let's be real, 90% of pipes are Rick and Morty themed), Karin Flory of Flora Flora Waterpipes decided to transform vintage vases into bongs. There's no greater moment than when a one-of-a-kind bong finds its dream stoner owner, says Karin. And we believe it. Earth Day and 4/20 a...

While we may love them, we all have a friend or so whose shopping habits make us cringeee. Thus, we're welcoming back Julia George of Something Made Customs to catch up on her fashion show experiences with newbie Marjurie Igarta AKA @MarjurieMadeThis. Let's talk fashion shows, patchwork, and how to invite friends to the world of circular fashion with compassion (and thrift trips). *** SOUR...

If you’re missing your 2008 Snuggie and looking for a calming fireside chat, this episode is for you. This week, we’re hanging out with Zach Hippe of Vultúre Reclaimed, an electrical engineer by day and blanket transformer by night. We’re going over the do’s and don’ts of blanket thrift flipping before discussing the balance between creativity and logic within ourselves, our daily lives, and the w...

Meet Reverend Sophie. Aka Sophie Woods - co-director of Bleaq, mother to the tampon chaps, and self-proclaimed chazza shopper (what is a chazza you may ask??). Let’s talk about the value of shock value and the horrors of greenwashing over a little dating game, shall we? Besides...isn’t greenwashing kind of like love bombing anyways? We’ll leave it to the Reverend to preach. *** SOURCES MENTIONED R...

We’re kicking off this season's roster of zero waste designers by exploring the art of tote bags with the king of totes himself, James Hogan of Victory Lap Sewing. Spoiler alert: these aren’t your average totes. We're talking life vests, boy scout uniforms, and the upmost craftsmanship. You bring your tote bag with you everywhere? Then you’re toteally not going to want to miss this one. Ha...

Happy Holidays from  TNR!  and Phil Märtens, the upcycler behind  Taktonik . This Germany-based creator transforms military waste - from uniforms to parachutes - into high-quality themed bags and even higher quality stories. Each piece curates a movie, color, or era-inspired experience while tackling the problem of military waste. Speaking of... ever wondered what military waste is? Where it goes?...

Welcome to Vintage Wasteland. Home of the suede, no-sew upcycles, ducks, and queer cowboys. The leading lady and our upcycler of the week, Alex Kelley, has honed in on illustrating and stamping tattoo-esque charactures of nature and folklore onto thrifted pieces. Let’s talk about our favorite materials to work with and wear, the western history of fashion trends, and shall we go as far as make som...

Your best friend who’s never heard of upcycling. Your grandma who loves to sew. Your pet fish. Chances are, you’ve all had an  After Always   Apparel thrift flip pop up on your TikTok feed. Meet Zach Thoeny, the upcycler turning blankets and towels into viral statement pieces. From conquering the algorithm to an upcoming upcycled wedding, Zach shares what he can’t fit into a 30-second process vide...

Welcome to the world of Janelle Abbott, also known as JRAT. A complete zero waste enigma and maximalist dream. While her artistic, intricate pieces dance, move, and radiate the energy and creativity behind the scenes, we don’t know much about JRAT herself. For all we know, she could be a unicorn with a sewing machine. Let’s uncover the inspiration, story, and process underneath JRAT’s works of art...

If you're in the secondhand scene of Boston, you know MICH. A flea market regular with stickers scattered all over New England, MICH is a zero waste designer that offers a little bit of everything - from tapestry blanket crewnecks to sleeping bag puffer vests. Not to mention, with roots in Salem... And it being October... we simply must delve into the mysterious history of the Salem witch tria...

It’s October. Sweaters or sweats? Halloween gear? Thanks to Julia George, the founder of Something Made Custom, we can have it all. We’ve talked towel shorts, reworked denim, and this episode we’re drooling over another upcycle trend: Patchwork sweat sets . And who better to talk easy and ethical Halloween costumes with than a than a self-proclaimed horror movie geek and zero waste fashionista? Oh...

Cue the That’s Not Rubbish! back to school commercial!  As students and teachers are officially Back 2 School, I’m taking the ultimate teacher’s pet, stationery princess, AND founder of Upcycler Enchantments, Jess Fernandez back to the classroom for a Spelling Bee. Meanwhile, exploring upcycled back to school supplies and reminiscing over Scholastic book fairs. Which book cover design was your go-...

About 6,200 weddings occur every day in the United States alone. And in the UK, over 275,000 a year. But, what exactly happens to the wedding dress after the big day? And what would a wedding between Dolly Parton and Cyndi Lauper look like? This episode, we invite the vibrant and 90's inspired UK-based upcycler and weaver, Ashley Jess Knight, to blow our minds by explaining how she saves brida...

We're in Detroit for a studio tour by Raya Sacco, luxury upcycler and founder of RAYA (@hausofraya). This sunlit and plant-filled studio is the home of the Vendetta Top and T-Skirt. But, what makes a studio a studio? And an upscale brand an upscale brand? This episode, we’re going heart to heart with Raya to uncover the secrets behind curating the perfect space, upscale secondhand brand, and a...

I couldn't take up the chance to pick the brains of 18 year old upcycler, Anthony - founder of Wäne Forever - on all things menswear today. Learn more about Anthony's brand, his stunning use of videography and creative direction to speak to his generation, and how exactly this generation *fashions*. *** SOURCES MENTIONED That's Not Rubbish! IG Post on Masc/Unisex Upcyclers Wäne on IG G...

Rumor has it Shein is gearing up with a potential new tactic to clean up their dirty business practices: a collaboration with upcycle designers. I know what you're thinking... because I thought it too: We're going to have Alexandria Carroll, the founder of festival-wear brand Modern Alien 🛸 and newest EvoluSHEIN ♻️ designer spill the details. After we rave over reworked festival-wear, of...

To look cute and cozy - that's all we really want! And would wearing sustainable materials be too hard to ask? Not for Danasia Griner, the femme magic behind Reworked4Women. This week, we're digging into fast fashion dupes such as R4W's signature maxi denim skirt (with a slit of course), the Barbie movie archived press looks, some quick denim hacks, and all things women streetwear'...

She can sew, she can model, she's a CEO, a creative director, social media manager, and all while creating a bold and inclusive rework brand? Meet Ruby Webb, founder of Fruitful Interpretation of Time. We're going to talk about how a rework workshop in Portland and a lack of plus-size representation in the fashion industry has ignited the fire that has become FiOT . Also, checking in on my...

Calling all wannabe upcyclers! Gain some quick insight on the art of starting your own brand, from sourcing preloved materials to sewing do's and don'ts. This week on That's Not Rubbish!, we're taking a trip down memory lane with Laura (aka citygirlbeachbum). We're reminiscing over 90's culture before uncovering why vintage sheets are truly the perfect preloved fabric to wo...

Sneaker corsets? Tie skirts? Who is wearing this stuff?! Spoiler Alert: the answer is anyone. Turn the volume up, we're talking small town style evolutions, eccentric fashion culture, angel numbers, and the power behind dressing for you with the one and only, Jobi Angel ( @CloudieJobi) . *** SOURCES Jobi's Shop Underground Fashion: Who the **** is Wearing this Stuff?? Climate Victory: Swit...

Happy Upcycle Day! and Happy First Episode of That's Not Rubbish!❤️🪡 In our first episode, we'll take a deep dive into the world of upcycling - from its not-so mysterious origins to its role in pop culture today. From the runway to the wizard world, join us as we explore some iconic pop culture looks that (we think) should have been upcycled, and discover the ways in which circular fashio...