Upcycled Vest

Worn at RIT’s fashion show, Beyond Fashion

Inspired by gorp style clothing and designer Nicole McLaughlin’s design values of sustainability.


Thrifted and used raincoats were disassembled and reassembled into new forms while still valuing their original intent.

Photo by Tristan DeBrauwere
Instagram: @tristandebphoto

Photo by Andrew Wies
Instagram: @andrewjameswies

“The grid is everything”
Massimo Vignelli

_Used a grid as the base of all his design to aid his creative process and save time

_”The grid” is honored through my design in my design approach to use second hand materials, disassembling them, and reassembling them into a patchwork grid pattern. Using second hand to find my materials offers the old raincoats a new life and supports the circular grid of sustainability.

Inspiration - Nicole McLaughlin

_Known for her creative design approach and unique perspective on how to reuse

_Values the original product by having it point to the design direction

_Humor and impracticality to the design, making designs even more successful

Pencil cases are used to hold a variety of supplies, utilizes this in a cargo inspired pant

Upcycles a gardening back to create a gardening shoe

Pinterest Mood Board

_Natural colors

_Layering clothing

_Lots of pockets, zippers, and ability to customize

_Big, baggy clothing

Trial 1: Paper Pattern

_Simple sizing adjustments

_Key design elements: length covers butt slightly, wider than normal shoulders, 7 main vest sections

Trial 2: Scrap Fabric Pattern

_Ensuring paper model functions

_Slight sizing adjustments around arms and for overall length

_Colorblocking

Trial 3: Final Model

_Thick, stretchy material used to hold the lightweight raincoat scraps form

_Reduced underarm panels to be 1 on each side instead of 2 for ease of making

Raincoats broken down at the seams and then puzzled back together into a new form. Honoring the orginal intent of hte form and using the natural shapes to guide their new placement

Beyond Fashion Gallery

Photos by Sam Su
Instagram: @theokphotos

Photos by Alley Babcock
Instagram: @alley_babcock