Mad Mfg’s “Indigo Ultra” Collection is an Example of What Upcycling Should Be
As brands the size of giants play up sustainability for the sake of profit, the word itself rapidly loses its meaning. Upcycling, too, has followed suit, now a commodified shell of what it used to be. Eske Schiralli, founder and designer of Mad Mfg., makes a concerted effort to do the opposite with his latest collection-- “Indigo Ultra” -- a true example of what upcycling should be.
An exciting return following a rather lengthy sabbatical, “Indigo Ultra” is a love letter to renewal and transformation. Schiralli, with great fascination, draws inspiration from the birth of a butterfly, wherein a humble caterpillar turns into something much grander with no energy lost or added.
“Something really resonated with me about that and I drew parallels to how the fashion industry has squeezed all meaning out of the term upcycle -- i.e. making jackets from bags that haven't even lived their first life as a bag is downcycling at best given all the energy and resources it requires to make and remake something,” Schiralli shares. “As an ode to the butterfly I wanted to revisit what upcycling should legitimately mean…”
What ensues is a colorful display of construction that makes use of pre-loved, large size jeans that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. The JeanJeans, which are the heart of the entire range, come in a number of fit and aesthetic variations. Whether wide-legged, straight, or flared, every pair will be 1-of-1, patchworked together in meticulous fashion. And to ensure the process is zero waste, all extra fabric will find life through the Ultra Jean, a proprietary style that emulates the design features we’re all well-accustomed to. Additionally, the label has also prepared the Spiral Shirt -- a boxy, linen-based top -- as well as the Lifecycle Bandana, which visualizes the aforementioned butterfly’s journey.
The “Indigo Ultra” collection is available now via madmfg.co.
