Brazilian designers transform waste into sustainable fashion

Various Brazilian initiatives are gaining recognition for transforming waste into valuable raw materials through upcycling and sustainable design.

In Rio de Janeiro, businesses in the South Zone are repurposing diverse materials. Designer Gilson Martins uses bag production scraps to create mosaic art through his ‘Lixo Nobre’ project. In Ipanema, Dash Uniformes repurposes old uniforms for social impact, while Flavia Pisco of Belina Ateliê utilizes textile samples, thrifted ties, and even deflated soccer balls to create new fashion pieces.

On an international scale, the Santa Catarina-based brand Proposta Verde showcased its ‘Enlaço’ collection at Milan Fashion Week. The collection was crafted from approximately 200 kilograms of textile surplus and trimmings that would otherwise have been discarded. Through a partnership with the Hermann Hering Foundation, these materials were transformed into 600 original fashion pieces, highlighting the potential of slow fashion and artisanal production.