Designer Nicole McLaughlin has collated an anthology of her viral projects, which see everyday items transformed into wearable pieces of design. Here, she shares her six favourite projects from the book.
McLaughlin rose to popularity on Instagram and has worked with brands from Hermès to Prada. The designer crafts fashion and accessories from ordinary items such as mismatched charity shop trainers, used shower curtains and croissants she's about to eat for breakfast.
Shoe Case shortlisted for Design of the Year
She often cannibalises her own projects by taking them apart once they've been photographed to give the materials another purpose.
"All of my projects have a life beyond what the pictures show because I'll use the leftover scraps for something else," she told Dezeen.
"A lot of my pieces don't even exist anymore because I take them apart and turn them into something else to continue their lifespan, so I upcycle my own upcycle," she added.
Her Shoe Case, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Design of the Year awards, is a suitcase clad in trainer scraps that were subsequently reused to create a vest before being turned back into a suitcase to be exhibited at London's Design Museum.
"I always try to start a conversation"
Unlike other recycling projects, which typically try to hide the former life of their constituent materials, McLaughlin delights in drawing attention to the overlooked items she has resurrected.
"Mine is a very entry-l...