Upcycling designer Nicole McLaughlin designs a collection for JanSport

JanSport, an American backpack retailer operated by VF Corporation, has collaborated with Nicole Mclaughlin, a sustainable designer and upcycle artist, to produce a capsule collection of clothing crafted from upcycled backpacks.

The Nicole McLaughlin Upcycled JanSport Line includes a bra, jeans, vest, slippers, multipack, and director’s chair, as well as a six-piece avant-garde design wardrobe collection.

By buying a five-dollar sweepstakes entry voucher, fashionistas will enter to win one item from the series. The Slow Factory Foundation, a nonprofit focusing on climate change and promoting environmental impact through education, will receive 100% of the proceeds from ticket purchases and collection.

The president at JanSport, Roger Spatz said that they’re ecstatic to be collaborating with Nicole to spread their message and dream towards more sustainable fashion. He added that they are able to hold samples from their warehouse and pre-worn packs sourced from warranty centres out of landfills while still supporting the Slow Factory Foundation with some of their most popular and influential imagery by converting them.

According to McLaughlin, the collection raises awareness about the sustainable benefits of upcycling in the apparel industry. Over the years, her admiration for JanSport has only increased. It’s her first backpack memory, so collaborating with them on a capsule range that uses originals and worn items to showcase sustainability feels preordained.

She added that when people see the bits, she hopes they realize not only how important it is to prolong the life of goods by repair and upcycling, but also how much money you can make from them.