Good as New: Repurposed Designer Jewelry
Sometimes the material items we love meet the end of their life cycles — oftentimes, it’s sadly inevitable. But living consciously means finding use in even the most unexpected items — items that you may have thought had no life left to live. When it comes to luxury accessories, they usually tend to last through the years. Due to high-end ateliers’ elevated quality standards, a Chanel bag could probably survive multiple generations in adequate condition, if properly handled. But nothing truly lasts forever. For those who have wondered if there is a way to instill new vitality into valuable items, we’ve got you covered.
Giving luxury jewelry and hardware a second life is the latest “it” trend in the world of sustainability. Many emerging small businesses and independent brands are now opting into the world of reconfiguring or repurposing dated hardware. This practice makes sure that old buttons, charms, or buckles that adorned dated luxury pieces do not go to waste.
To provide some valuable insight about just how precious designer hardware can be – we’ll start by breaking down the hardware on a Louis Vuitton bag. There are many parts that make up a bag that we may not always notice — from grommets, to studs, to zippers. In 1886, Louis Vuitton himself, and his son Georges, formulated the classic LV lock we all know and love today – it adorns luggage, handbags, and more. It is said that these locks consist of a signature brass hardware, meaning it possesses its own inherent value. Repurposing jewelry assures that that value isn’t wasted or lost.
This craft is a stylish and quirky way to opt into environmentally-friendly fashion, and we’re here for it. Read on for some of our favorite repurposed jewelry brands that are paving their own lanes in the conscious accessories space.
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Ethereal Jewelry Shop
“We believe in sustaining and salvaging the legacy of luxurious designer brands while kind-heartedly preserving the environment by recycling.” These are the words that Ethereal Jewelry Shop, an independent brand self-started by Rochelle Roman, stands by. The brand revamps genuine designer jewelry to create their own one-of-a-kind pieces, and on top of their adorable designs, their company values are undeniably admirable.
Old Soul Vintage Jewelry
Old Soul believes that vintage items possess a historical charm, and the brand seeks to show others what that allure is all about. Old Soul’s founder embarked on her jewelry repurposing journey by purchasing vintage buttons at a yard sale and deciding to put them to use. The result: her gorgeous and unique pieces that truly look good as new.
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The Vintage Secret Jewelry
This Australian boutique breathes new life into dated buttons, charms, bag hardware, and more. From Chanel, to YSL, to Versace, they’ve got it all — and you can feel satisfaction in knowing that your jewelry not only has a story of its own, but was given some well-deserved longevity.
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Re Dunne
For New Yorkers looking to join the repurposed jewelry wave, Re Dunne is your go-to. Each piece is handmade with care in Soho. Founded and carefully curated by Kathryn Dunne, the brand mixes the new (updated, durable hardware) with the old (dated detailing) creating pieces that are a timeless fusion of style and grace.
Article by Kayla Curtis-Evans, Contributing Sustainable Editor PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
