Recycled Umbrella Fabric Goes Couture

by Amy DuFault on August 3, 2009 in Fashion

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Himane designer Catherine Edouard-Charlot doing a fitting with Ford model Leah

I came across this press release regarding recycling umbrellas at a Local Labels kiosk in the Graybar Passageway at Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

Apparently, the designer sees far too many broken umbrellas littering the city, so she makes stylish bags out of them.

After a quick read of the release I Googled the design label Himane (mentioned as the designer of the umbrella bags), a fashion and design company founded by Brooklyn resident, Catherine Edouard-Charlot. I was truly impressed at what she’s doing.

Not only is she recycling umbrellas, she’s upcycling all kinds of fabrics into fantastic dresses and jackets as well as bags.

I know it’s hard to wrap your brain around this particular piece now, with summer’s sweltering heat, but I think this jacket is amazing!

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As is this ruffled collared dress…

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and this open back dress.

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Check out her bags at Local Labels or go to her website and inquire within.

Maybe we should all ask her why she forced an altogether beautiful model to wear mostly summer clothes for the shoot in the winter with snow?

Catherine!

Luanne Bradley
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 AM

So smart, Amy. Who would have thunk it? And the thing is, they break all the time, right? You grow, girl!!
Carla
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 PM

Great work! I have been saving fabric from torn ripped or worn out clothes that I will incorporate into sewing projects someday. Its good to know that there are other people doing the same thing,.
recycling zychal
September 28th, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Hey everyone, just saw this post and wanted to share that I head a very similar operation in Philadelphia started about 2 years ago called Recycling Zychal. I collect discarded or broken umbrellas from around the world and transform them into chic, stylish doggie rain coats, my signature product, the HOOD, which is a modern day babushka and organic kitty nip filled cat toys, bc kitties love the sound and texture of umbrella scraps! I’m launching some more broken umbrella products next month including a water resistant dog/cat bed, and a few more fashion accessories that I have to keep secret until launched
definitely check out my etsy store (www.recyclingzychal.etsy.com) and if you would like to send/donate a broken umbrella to me, just message me and we can go from there!
Thank you!!