Anika Beller-Kraft’s new brand Zechekind ("coal mine child") is comprised of bags and accessories made from used coal miner’s clothing.
Zechekind is based in Dortmund, a German city that is known as an industrial area with a number of mines. While the mines themselves have been closed, Anika Beller-Kraft takes all the old coal miner’s uniforms that she can find and turns these old clothes into new creations that retain the history and soul of their prior life.
Coal Miner Couture
Zechekind Creates Accessories From Recycled Uniforms
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Fashion - Zechekind's use of recycled uniforms highlights the trend of sustainable fashion, demonstrating an opportunity to create environmentally conscious products.
2. Circular Economy - Zechekind's use of upcycling in their production process presents an opportunity for the circular economy trend to gain momentum.
3. Heritage as a Value Proposition - Zechekind's focus on preserving the history and soul of the coal miner's uniforms they use demonstrates the value in highlighting heritage as a selling point for modern products.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Zechekind's use of repurposing old uniforms can be applied to other fashion industries which highlights an opportunity to work sustainably.
2. Textile Waste Management - Zechekind's approach serves as an excellent model for socially responsible businesses in the textile waste management sector.
3. Sustainability Consulting - Zechekind's success in repurposing old clothes can be applied to sustainability consulting practices, opening up new opportunities to use waste as a resource.