Ruff Magic: Recycled crafts for a more sustainable future using only recycled waste

The main purpose of my work is to create a fashion product from recycled materials and to develop awareness of environmental issues to the public. Therefore, I believe it is important for products to be easily accessible to people and should include useful functions alongside trendy beauty. With that in mind, I worked to make fashion accessories such as bracelets, millinery, hair pins and necklaces, through the transformation of second-hand clothes. I also decided to create modern-day ruff. I thought of ruff as a historic symbol of high status, such as in the royal family and those in a position of authority, meaning it carried style and can have various forms in modern fashion, such as oversized necklaces and variations of collar style are also possible. In addition, ruff made from items second-hand clothing trap the warmth around the neck and can easily function as a scarf. For that reason, I expect that ruff, as a recycled fashion item, will appeal positively to consumers.

I believe that the ruff as a fashion accessory when worn with garments can change the fashion concept totally. The way that you match any different items of ruff with the same white t-shirt is the same as painting on a blank canvas. In other words, the concept of ruff can be directed differently even on the same garment.

Moreover my works are made from limited materials, being all different second-hand clothing and waste pieces of fabric, therefore each piece is unique and possessed by only one person in the world. I hope to persuade consumers and designers that the development of recycled fashion products with artistry, ethicality and commerciality is the most important creative work in modern society.

Young Sun Lee
y.sunnylee@gmail.com
(44)07540338840
http://youngsun-lee.blogspot.com