Upcycling’s ‘Unintentional Pioneer’ Juan Carlos Gordillo on His Eco Denim Capsule
Today, upcycling has become a sustainable fashion trend, but recycling fabrics did not always have the popularity or appreciation it has now.
Designer Juan Carlos Gordillo was an early adopter of used fabrics, sourcing garments from secondhand markets and using the materials to create new fashion. He embraced “textile trash” because the previously used fabrics fit his budget, whereas new fabrics did not.
As he explained in a blog post, he was mocked for this. “I was even looked down upon back then, as people questioned whether the fabric I used could carry bacteria and other negative perceptions,” he wrote. “Nevertheless, I never denied the origin of my materials.”
While presenting at Vienna Fashion Week in 2015, Juan Carlos met journalist Laura Adina Achim backstage, who spoke about the sustainable side of upcycling. “Her explanation of the innovative power I brought to the industry through an eco-friendly collection marked a turning point in understanding the significance of ethical fashion with circular processes,” he wrote.
Juan Carlos’ latest collection, ReNacer, combines upcycled denim fabrics with materials like Black Dry Denim from Tejidos Royo, which is colored using a water-free dye process. The designer also used Officina+39’s Recycrom dye to hand paint textiles. Recycrom uses fabric scraps to create pigments that can be used to dye new textiles.
Juan Carlos’ designs also include TENCEL™-based materials. “Ever since I got to know the TENCEL™ fiber turned into fabric, and learned that it’s biodegradable, I started incorporating it as a new material in my designs,” he said. “This adds ecological value as well. And now with REFIBRA™, it provides an additional dimension of sustainability.”
Explaining the basis for the capsule collection, Juan Carlos wrote, “In ‘ReNacer,’ it’s not merely about crafting fashion; it’s about resuscitating ethical and environmental principles within each garment. Thus, every piece becomes a testament to my commitment to sustainability and creative transformation.”
Read more about ReNacer on Juan Carlos’ blog.