The RealReal Upcycles Used Prada, Gucci, Celine, and More for ReCollection 02
The vintage resale company is launching its own collection of pieces using damaged designer goods.
The RealReal has been one of the biggest names in vintage fashion for years, but now, the luxury resale retailer is experimenting with a new way to shop sustainably: upcycling. In an effort to turn damaged, unsellable goods into wearable pieces, the company's newly formed Circular ReSource Lab created the ReCollection 02, a collection of upcycled luxury items restored and reformed into new, one-of-a-kind garments that match the trends of today.
Whether it's a stain, a broken zipper, or an outdated silhouette, every clothing retailer has been plagued with mishandled or ripped items that are unsuitable for resale. Often, these items end up in landfills, contributing to the fashion industry's already growing impact on climate change and the environment. However, research suggests that returning just one in five garments back into circulation will allow the industry to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accord.
To help the cause, The RealReal's ReCollection 02 gives new life to clothing that would otherwise be thrown out. Using vintage pieces from Prada, Gucci, Celine, Alexander McQueen, and more, the company's own design team has developed an original line of winter pieces that offer a chic way to shop sustainably this season.
“With ReCollection 02, we wanted to celebrate the return to having fun with fashion again by creating a collection that felt modern and optimistic,” said Samantha McCandless, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at The RealReal. “Taking on the design and creation of an upcycled collection ourselves has given us new insight into the opportunities and challenges with scaling upcycling, all of which will inform our ongoing experimentation with the ReCollection program to increase its impact.”
Long gowns have been transformed into two-piece sets; minor tears are now repaired and covered with unique new details; leather patchwork is added to otherwise simple coats. Each piece in the collection has been expertly recrafted to mesh with the fashion of today while also celebrating its journey.
The RealReal's ReCollection 02 launches on November 23 at 10 a.m. EST. The exclusive collection will be available online and at The RealReal flagship store in SoHo. Continue on for a preview at all 64 pieces in the collection.