Nicole McLaughlin coronada por obra y gracia de los súbditos de Instagram como reina del upcycling —un neologismo nacido de dos conceptos: por un lado el de reciclar (recycling) y por otro mejorar lo que ya tienes (up)—, reimagina los usos de productos y materiales existentes y los convierte en algo nuevo y loco. Desde prendas y calzado hasta accesorios, el resultado es un original catálogo de diseños innovadores y vanguardistas.
And it is that Nicole McLaughlin has transformed cooking gloves into coats, sports gloves into jackets, teeth of teeth teeth and even croissants into fasteners.UPCyCling has its equivalent in Spanish: suprachiclage or creative reuse.Which is nothing more than the use of products, waste materials or waste to manufacture new items of higher quality, greater ecological value and of course, greater economic value.Well, we talk to Nicole, because where others see trash, she sees opportunities.
Seeing your work, sustainability does not have to be boring.Living more sustainable: responsible consumption, not generating garbage or recycling, do you contribute to these attitudes?
Nicole McLaughlin: Even if they are visually different, all my pieces share the same message: sustainability.I am glad when someone tells me that they like it because the message is to live more sustainably, addressing consumption, waste and upcycling, all these things are present, and realize or not, see materials used in a new way,But they also see the potential of what they could do themselves.
What was the first thing to suck?
Nicole McLaughlin: It was the silk paper of a Dover Street Market bag that I turned into a buttoned shirt;Although this first time it was not a peaceful garment.At that time I didn't know how to sew it, I linked everything with staples.At that initial moment it was more important.I have to say that I still have some prototypes that have not seen the light.
And how did your fondness for UPCyCling begin?
Nicole McLaughlin: I've been dedicating to this for a couple of years.Everything arose when I worked for Reebok as a graphic designer.I have always been aware of sustainability and recycling, but it wasn't until I worked in the sector that I was aware of the large amount of waste, it was impossible to ignore.I think it is an endemic problem of the industry and must be addressed.I was surrounded by lots of samples and products and made me consider the amount of things that the brand manufactured, and what happened to the leftovers.So one day, sitting on my desk, I thought about cutting pieces and struggling with them to do a personal project.As a designer, I was always curious to know how things were done, so I began to disassemble and rebuild pieces.Shortly after I started looking for and buying second -hand things that could also rebuild.As I was starting, I didn't want to ask for new cloth rolls, so I tried to find things that had spots or holes and that were going to be discarded.
What makes an article likely to be recycled?
Nicole McLaughlin: Well, you must have as much as possible, that is, many pockets, reflective tapes, zippers, shooters, etc..The more you have, the more you can take advantage of.Definitely getting the most is one of the principles of UPCyCling.I even usually use it for several projects.The issue is to disassemble it to build from disassembly.I also love ornaments.It is one of my favorite things.Every time I buy second -hand things, I look for something different, one day will be a color, the next one fleece or similar material.I also look for strange things.Things in which people are not usually set.I try to be aware and not choose pieces that could be essential for others.I'm interested in very visible wear.Hats and hats too, people think it is dirty, but I use it for shoes or similar.
From a braissants -made.Are all your pieces adapted to be used?
Nicole McLaughlin: Now I ask, could you wear a coat made with old soccer gloves or wear a bread made of bread?I dont see why not.Have these articles be created with a specific purpose in mind?Yes.It is about altering the notions of the use of certain materials, but also the potential for the use of waste.The question is why certain articles are thrown instead of others.How is the value of waste assigns?
Certainly.Almost everyone talks that you are a designer who uses deconstruction.I think you are also taking out the materials from your usual context.It seems super innovative to the fact that the decontextuals, is the first time I see such a convincing case ...
Nicole McLaughlin: Well, I don't think I get the materials itself with its original use.It is rather to create a tacit language in which, visually, it is known what I am saying, although no one has presented it in this way.I get the familiarity of the material itself, but the purpose for which it was designed evolves.And we have to be able to do it if we want to find solutions.
Of course!When a need is detected in the world of consumption - for example, a remote control for television, so as not to have to get up every time a channel is changed - a solution is found through design.The designer is the link between industry/engineering, artistic vision and consumer.Are you a "solucity" of problems?
Nicole McLaughlin: My things can be considered fun, but I would like to think that I am a "solving" problem.I constantly try to find solutions to recycle waste and keep them out of the landfills.And although I do things by hand, I know that others see what I do and follow it.I have no training and I am self -taught, and I think that gives them hope.
The slogan "form follows function", that is, the prima function on the form, is the cornerstone of the design since its inception as its own discipline.What is first for you?
Nicole McLaughlin: Whether they are products to take positions, as if they are edible or home things, functionality is vital in my creations.My process begins with the material and to see the potential of what can be.It's about making it natural, but also knowing where the limits are.I exceed functionality because if something loses its usefulness, some would say that it has no purpose.I try to give it as many opportunities to be useful as possible.
More slogans: "Less is more/less is more" or "Less is bored/less is boring"?
Nicole McLaughlin: It depends on what you want to do and what you want to say.
How do you start your creative process?
Nicole McLaughlin: First childbirth that everything is possible or nothing is impossible.When I see a fabric or an article to rework, I always leave the process very open.Many times I put the pieces in front of me and dream for a while.It happens to me long before I sleep.Before the pandemic I liked to blindly go to second -hand or charity stores and get an idea of materials and objects, because that also arouses inspiration.For me it is essential to leave space at the beginning of a creative process.
Collaborations with ComoCrocs trademarks, Russell Athletic, Arcteryx, how did it start?
Nicole McLaughlin: Honestly, many are almost coincide, I consider myself incredibly fortunate in that regard.That does not mean that I do not break my ass and try to do my best.It is very fun how some of these collaborations arise.Sometimes it makes me hold my breath!
What do you think about the alliance between art and design as a political artifact?You support different causes, such as Black Lives Matter.Would you like to become an activist designer?
Nicole McLaughlin: I am not an activist and I would never use that appellation to describe what I do.For me, activists are experts and very dedicated to their causes.Yes, I believe in sustainability, and yes, my work creates awareness and money to help causes that support, but that does not deserve a different denotation.It seems inconsiderate to do it, take attention to those who advocate us;We should listen to them.
The spirit of time, social networks have been the key to you.When I checked your profile the first time, you had 650k followers.At the time of publishing this has reached 733k, an exponential rise.How would you have launched without social networks?
Nicole McLaughlin: I already had work as a graphic designer, so Ig was not to launch me or start a new career.The intention was to share my work with others, I had no idea what this would happen.It was completely unforeseen, incredible and scary in equal parts.I am not sure that things became "viral" 25 years ago - not if they were produced in mass - so, in that sense, I do not think that I would exist.
Reference designers?
Nicole McLaughlin: The truth is that I do not take reference from other designers, but Eileen Fisher, Tom Sachs and Martin Margiela are some people whose work ethics I admire.
Your pieces are made with talent, respect and criteria.What is your favorite piece?
Nicole McLaughlin: The volleyball shoe.I will always say that it is one of my favorites.It was the first time I used a three -dimensional spherical object with a specific purpose to transform it into something completely different, a shoe.That moment was a kind of "Eureka" for me, I realized that everything could be reworked: the volleyball ball contributed comfort, shape and structure to the shoe;It met many requirements.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start with UPCyCling?
Nicole McLaughlin: Many young people have ideas, but they think they can't explore them because they don't have the right tools, study title or knowledge.My advice is that they overcome that and make things happen.If you don't have technical knowledge, you can work in the creative aspect, you can even use paper or cardboard.The idea is the most important.Technicisms and skills can be learned over time, or through YouTube, etc..I also recommend not being afraid to share the work and be open to comments because, everything is possible!
Finally, what future plans do you have?
Nicole McLaughlin: either tomorrow or in five years, my plan is to continue with what I am doing.Learn, evolve and overcome myself to find ways to solve problems and help our future.
