In collaboration with Homeboy Industries, GUESS has developed a unique process to give new life to old clothing. By transforming recycled pieces into fun, fashionable creations, GUESS is building a new pathway to being fabulously sustainable. Tote bags, patchwork denim, bustiers, and even throw pillows - upcycled fashion is for everyone.

It has been estimated that somewhat 92 million tons of textile waste is created annually by the fashion industry, and this is only the final product turning to waste. If resources spent during the production process are also considered, such as fresh water and fertilizer used for natural fabrics' growth and energy spent on utilising the equipment, it becomes a major issue and point of concern regarding our planetary boundaries.

Homeboy Industries provides comprehensive trauma‐informed, wrap‐around support services such as tattoo removal, mental health services, education, legal, housing navigation, case management, workforce development, and job training. Partnering with GUESS, they enhance their mission by having GUESS company providing hope, training, and support to marginalized population, allowing individuals to change the arc of their lives and become contributing members of the community.

"The Upcycled Collection is done in collaboration with Homeboy Industries and designed with the hope that each piece of clothing can give purpose to a member of the community, who can learn the skills needed to turn discarded merchandise into desirable, commodified items with an eye to the fashion set. The designs are determined by the resources at hand, which are carefully organized and sorted. The product range is fashion to non‐fashion pieces, so there is something for everyone", says Amy Enuke, Young Contemporary Design Director. Transforming recycled clothing yields distinctly unique pieces, and that is its ultimate appeal.

GUESS and Homeboy Recycling's new line of goods and apparel provides a new way to support environmental sustainability, facilitate creativity, create new jobs, and uplift the community, offerring unique pieces for different tastes, and at the same time, ensuring the circularity principle implementation.

Photo by E. Kowalievska, pexels.com