6 Cleveland Designers who Make Upcycling Fashionable

In with the new, thanks to the old: Upcycling saves the need to shop for closet favorites at rising retail prices. It’s all about finding what you love in a pre-loved piece, letting it live out a second life in a new shape.

“I originally started upcycling as a creative outlet,” says Tina Lundi of Anew Apparel Co. “Seeing something online and saying, ‘Wait, I think I can make that…’. I have a lot of fun thrifting pieces and breathing new life into them. And I feel blessed that people like what I do enough to turn my hobby into a side hustle.”

Shop sustainably for your next staple and keep it close to home by supporting these six designers, all based in the Cleveland area.

Anew Apparel Co

True to its brand, Lundi turns secondhand anew, reclaiming flannels, T-shirts, jackets and jerseys and creating one-of-a-kind staples. With pieces for music, pop culture and Cleveland sports lovers alike, she keeps her shelves stocked for the masses, while remaining open for those in need of a custom find. $15+, available at Pura Vida Wellness or Etsy

Two One Thrift

Handpicking simple T-shirts, sweatshirts and jeans and sprucing them up with stars, tie-dye and other Cleveland-special touches, local clothing flipper Rebecca Maxwell boasts a catalog of trendy, Insta-worthy pieces in all shapes and sizes. Collections in the catalog include streetwear, Cleveland and professional sports, mental health awareness and the girl-geared “She’s Company”. Maxwell also sells pre-loved pieces from her own closet, including shoes, skirts, dresses and purses. $8+, twoonethrift.shop

RELATED: Rebecca Maxwell's Two One Thrift Upgrades Vintage Sports Gear

YellowCake Shop

Born out of the work of Project Runway prodigy Valerie Mayén, this fully handmade clothing line presents gala-approved garments crafted by women. Beyond its array of original pieces, the store also curates a healthy collection of upcycled options for the eco-friendly fashionista, including upscale sweatshirts, sweaters and blazers. $46+, 5218 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, yellowcakeshop.com 

RELATED: Shop Local: Yellowcake Shop Takes An Artisan Approach To Stylish Women's Clothing

zJayne

Crafted for those in search of a truly sustainable find, Jane Pierce turns everything from old linens, flannels and shirts into brand new, funky bucket hats. Providing shade, color and style, each piece bodes a unique pattern unlike anything you’ll find in a gift shop. $65+, available at zjayne.com or Etsy

FriskMeGood

Worn by the likes of Cardi B and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Salina EsTitties, Cierra Boyd is a patented gamechanger in the world of circular fashion. Known best for her corsets made completely out of fashion sneakers, her designs also incorporate vintage tapestries and designer handbags, with options including bodysuits, bustiers, dresses and purses. Each piece is its own work of art, carefully made by hand with a mission to give sustainability an expressive and luxurious look. $10+, friskmegood.com

RELATED: Cierra Boyd: Most Interesting People 2023

Sun in Leo

Specializing in everything under the sun, this feel-good shop provides upcycled gifts of all kinds. Repurposing jewelry, accessories and apparel, owner Justine Gallo ensures each piece is responsibly sourced, with a mission to keep as much material out of landfills as possible. Gallo also offers books, candles and other novelties attuned to themes such as astrology, vintage and animals, which inspire the store’s style and inventory. $5+, 154 E. Main St. Suite C, Kent, suninleo.shop

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