Paper Short Abstract:

Paper explores designers' motivations and practices associated with repurposing discarded textiles, as well as social and symbolic significance of upcycling. It examines how upcycling challenges waste perceptions, fosters ecological awareness, and promotes social change.

Paper Abstract:

Global fashion industry as a major driver of consumerism, with its relentless cycle of disposable clothing, has intensified the environmental crisis fostering a throwaway culture where garments are discarded after minimal use. In recent years, a growing number of designers and consumers are turning to upcycling – repurposing, reusing or transforming discarded textiles into new, unique, creations, addressing environmental consequences of fast fashion at the same time. In upcycling, histories of discarded materials and “new lives” of upcycled clothes redefine the value of textile and make them meaningful once again on individual and social level. This research explores the transformative practices of upcycling, focusing on symbolic and social significance of both the processes and objects – refurbished garments. The study aims to (1) examine motivations, attitudes, perspectives and practices of designers committed to sustainability, and (2) situate upcycling within broader historical and sociocultural frameworks. Drawing on anthropological theories of material culture and perspectives on sustainability, this research seeks to uncover the ways in which upcycled clothing navigates the boundaries between waste and worth. The study argues that the upcycled clothes challenge societal perceptions of waste, foster ecological consciousness, and contribute to social change. Ultimately, it positions upcycling as a critical intervention in the age of mass consumption, emphasizing its role in reshaping cultural attitudes toward sustainability and resourcefulness.