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Styling sustainably with upcycled fashionable
and recycled tech

Rising designers show how to repurpose materials into fashion looks.

A woman wearing a hat and dress made from recycled plastic takes a selfie in front of the RecycleUp fashion show stage. She is surrounded by a graphic white circle and green leaves on the sides of the frames. A woman wearing a hat and dress made from recycled plastic takes a selfie in front of the RecycleUp fashion show stage. She is surrounded by a graphic white circle and green leaves on the sides of the frames.

A designer shows off recycled couture at the #RecycleUp fashion show.

Fast fashion? So last year. With climate change heating up due to throwaway designs and overuse of plastic, wasteful clothing is definitely not on-trend. Now the hottest designers are ditching disposability to create pieces that last longer while using less. The best part is that anyone can achieve these totally unique looks without buying new clothes every season. Here's how you can create a custom wardrobe using only recycled materials and your own impeccable fashion sense. 

Text reading "#RECYCLEUP" is shown over a white background with a graphic stripe of green and leaves on the left side of the frame. Text reading "#RECYCLEUP" is shown over a white background with a graphic stripe of green and leaves on the left side of the frame.

Where to start upcycling?

TikTok is overflowing with upcycling inspo and advice. From DIY tutorials to thrift hauls, there’s a new movement of creative re-users posting under hashtags like #RecycleUp. Samsung brought together some of these upcycling influencers who are crushing it with sustainability hacks and some seriously fresh fit checks. Hosted by Nicole McLaughlin (@nicolemclaughlin), a creative upcycling genius who sparked a new genre of viral clothing mashups, the designers shared some tips for reducing waste by repurposing materials into high-fashion looks.

Four fashion designers pose for the camera sitting on the steps of an illuminated staircase at Samsung 837. Four fashion designers pose for the camera sitting on the steps of an illuminated staircase at Samsung 837.

From left to right, Kelsey Reese, Anna Molinari, Paige Sechrist and Andrew Burgess at the Samsung 837 flagship showroom. 

Start small. Save big.

The clothing industry accounts for nearly 10% of global carbon dioxide as well as a fifth of the 300 million tons of plastic produced globally each year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.1 “When I started realizing the impact of fashion waste, I started using more thrifted and recycled materials in my designs,” says designer Paige Sechrist (@paige.sechrist). Making a difference doesn’t have to be daunting. “Start small,” she says. “Steal some of your dad’s old shirts with holes in them. Making simple alterations helps you build a more sustainable closet."

Side-by-side images of, on the left, multiple metal computer casings laid flat on a grey table, and on the right, a multicolored, mixed material jacket on a mannequin with someone's hand reaching from out of frame to touch it. Next to it is another partially visible, multicolored jacket on a mannequin. Side-by-side images of, on the left, multiple metal computer casings laid flat on a grey table, and on the right, a multicolored, mixed material jacket on a mannequin with someone's hand reaching from out of frame to touch it. Next to it is another partially visible, multicolored jacket on a mannequin.
A Samsung washing machine on a white background next to the ENERGY STAR logo. A Samsung washing machine on a white background next to the ENERGY STAR logo.
Care for upcycled clothes
ENERGY STAR washers that can steam for gentle stain removal.
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Designers used recycled materials and e-waste like computer parts (above left). Upcyclced jacket by Reilly Fitzsimmons (above right).

Recycle the runway

Some fashion and tech companies are tackling waste by using recycled materials, like discarded bottles in clothing or recycled ocean-bound plastic in Galaxy devices. Since 2012, Samsung has collected and recycled an average of 100 million pounds of e-waste every year in the United States. Companies are also focusing on creating built-to-last, repairable products and reusing old ones, whether it's a refurbished phone or a restored vintage jacket. Everyday changes like these can add up to meaningful impact.

A computer-generated image looks up a street with multiple billboards and buildings in Decentraland. On the left, a billboard screen on top of a building shows a real picture of two women, one holding a microphone. On the lamppost in front hangs a banner with "837X" written on it. On the one-story building on the left side of the frame, signs wrap around the front of the building with leaf graphics and text that isn't readable. In the center is a tall tower with neon sign that reads "837X Gallery" as well as a large billboard on the front that says "Everyday changes. We Recycle. Meaningful impacts" with an image of a real man and woman holding phones. On the right side of the frame, another building is partially shown with a neon sign that says "837X." A computer-generated image looks up a street with multiple billboards and buildings in Decentraland. On the left, a billboard screen on top of a building shows a real picture of two women, one holding a microphone. On the lamppost in front hangs a banner with "837X" written on it. On the one-story building on the left side of the frame, signs wrap around the front of the building with leaf graphics and text that isn't readable. In the center is a tall tower with neon sign that reads "837X Gallery" as well as a large billboard on the front that says "Everyday changes. We Recycle. Meaningful impacts" with an image of a real man and woman holding phones. On the right side of the frame, another building is partially shown with a neon sign that says "837X."
A Galaxy S21 with abstract design on the display is shown in front of its box on a white background with an infinity loop symbol next to it. A Galaxy S21 with abstract design on the display is shown in front of its box on a white background with an infinity loop symbol next to it.
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The #RecycleUp fashion show livestreamed at Samsung 837X in Decentraland.

Upcycling designers are making their own everyday changes to cut down on waste. They showed off their latest creations at the first #RecycleUp fashion show, merging physical and digital in New York’s chic Meatpacking District. The inspiration didn’t stop on the runway. Digital clothing designers in the metaverse also brought a whole new dimension to the show, literally. Check out the rare #RecycleUp wearables at 837X in Decentraland.

A smiling woman with brown hair stands on a runway wearing a strapless dress and holding a bag made from recycled magazines. A smiling woman with brown hair stands on a runway wearing a strapless dress and holding a bag made from recycled magazines.
1

Kelsey Reese

Kentucky-based creator Kelsey Reese (@reese.cycled) uses upcycled plastic and paper to achieve classic silhouettes.

A man wearing a black hat, black pants and purple jacket with fabric spikes on the shoulders and "837X" written on the chest stands on a runway with his hands clasped in front of his chest. A man wearing a black hat, black pants and purple jacket with fabric spikes on the shoulders and "837X" written on the chest stands on a runway with his hands clasped in front of his chest.
2

Andrew Burgess

Known for his use of secondhand blankets and quilts, Andrew Burgess (@wandythemaker) finds inspiration and materials in thrift shops, like the bedsheets used to recreate this metaverse wearable.

“I love reusing quilts because so much work goes into them. It feels good to give them a new life”

—Andrew Burgess, designer

A smiling woman with dark hair stands on a runway with a multicolored handbag made of bottlecaps in one hand and wearing a strapless dress made from transparent, layered material and bottlecaps. A smiling woman with dark hair stands on a runway with a multicolored handbag made of bottlecaps in one hand and wearing a strapless dress made from transparent, layered material and bottlecaps.
3

Tracy Garcia

Tracy Garcia (@transformationsbytracy) reused plastic water bottle caps and deadstock lace to create a stunning look.

A horizontal band of screenshots from TikTok show various shots of the Samsung 837 stage and fashion designers wearing their recycled designs. A horizontal band of screenshots from TikTok show various shots of the Samsung 837 stage and fashion designers wearing their recycled designs.

Make a difference: Join the #RecycleUp movement

Start your own journey of everyday steps that make a meaningful impact by connecting with the sustainable upcycling community on TikTok. Creating custom looks and flexing your personal style have never been easier. Anyone can show off their own creations by using the #RecycleUp hashtag on TikTok, like designer Anna Molinari, who finds inspiration to keep her fits looking fine. “You don't need brand-new clothing from a department store when you can wear a one-of-a-kind piece of art,” she says. While DIY designers are upcycling fashion, Samsung is recycling e-waste and using recycled materials to make an impact. From refurbished phones to repurposed clothes, reusing and reducing never gets old. Just one more reason to reimagine those gems from the back of your closet.

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Rearview and front-facing Galaxy Z Fold4 smartphones in Phantom Black, slightly overlapping each other. There is an abstract design on the display. Rearview and front-facing Galaxy Z Fold4 smartphones in Phantom Black, slightly overlapping each other. There is an abstract design on the display.

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Rearview and front-facing views of two Galaxy Z Flip4 smartphones in Graphite, slightly overlapping each other. There is an abstract design on the display. Rearview and front-facing views of two Galaxy Z Flip4 smartphones in Graphite, slightly overlapping each other. There is an abstract design on the display.

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1https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-alliance-sustainable-fashion-addresses-damage-fast-fashion