WorldUpcycle: A Vibrant Take on Upcycling Fashion with Ethnic Flair
Story by Tori Radday, Photos by WorldUpcycle
In a market that’s overcrowded with “fast fashion” and its unethical implications, it’s always refreshing to discover an environmentally-conscious, sustainable brand like WorldUpcycle. WorldUpcycle focuses on using upcycled textiles from across the globe to create the most astounding accessories and pieces of clothing. WorldUpcycle owner, Stephanie Kenney introduced WorldUpcycle to Philadelphia approximately a year ago and the brand has been thriving here ever since. Kenney also sells her products in Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Easton, Pennsylvania and Frenchtown, New Jersey. WorldUpcycle in Philadelphia is located in the Serendipity Shops of Chestnut Hill at 8506 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118.
Kenney’s travels around the globe inspired her to launch WorldUpcycle; after she graduated from Boston College with a degree in mathematics and philosophy, she spent about seven years traveling outside of the United States. She spent a year in India and absolutely fell in love with all the vibrant Indian saris, silks and textiles. Interesting textiles in various other countries such as Thailand and Japan also caught Kenney’s attention.
When her daughter ventured off to college, Kenney took the extra time she had to launch WorldUpcycle. Throughout her travels, she made connections with various artisans in a wide range of countries and reached back out to her old contacts to launch WorldUpcycle. She primarily works with artisans in India but has also worked with artisans in Thailand and Vietnam.
Vibrant. Bold. Global. Breath-taking. These are just a few words that come to mind when thinking of Kenney’s products. Her globally inspired products are beautiful works of art. Kenney is drawn to various prints and colors but cites green and orange colors as well as warm colors as a few of her favorites. Kenney herself is an avid wearer of WorldUpcycle designs and states that “a lot of what I really love are the pieces that are made from the borders of saris. On the borders of saris are these amazing details that are embroidered and have metal threads in them and they’re just amazing.”
While of course Kenney sells beautiful garments, it’s not just about the beauty of the designs. Through WorldUpcycle Kenney is connecting to artisans globally as well as contributing to the rise of ethical fashion. Kenney explains, “I have this connection with the people producing the textiles; I really feel like it’s my mission to get their artwork out into the world and sell it for them and get the money back in their hands. They don’t have access to the global market and it’s so cool to be able to get their things out of a rural Indian village and into a bigger world.”
You can check out some of WorldUpcycle’s designs below or head on over to shop the designs in Serendipity Shops of Chestnut Hill at 8506 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118. Knowing that the garment that you’re buying is beautiful AND ethically produced? Now there’s no better feeling than that.
