# Plastic Couture Concerns over waste levels sees recyclables transformed into quality fashions. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published Dec 18, 2014 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/plastic-couture ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.2/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Plastic Couture trend? **Plastic Couture:** Fashion brands are beginning to distance themselves from materials like silk or cotton in favor of recycled plastic that can be cost effectively transformed into hip fashions. Using discarded plastic as the main material, these designs create an eco-friendly aesthetic that appeals to consumers while enhancing brand perception. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: May 1, 2014 to Jun 7, 2015 - Published: Dec 18, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Plastic Couture trend 9 featured examples from May 1, 2014 to Jun 7, 2015. - [Recycled Rubbish Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/your-shoes-are-rubbish): Your Shoes are Rubbish Turns Ocean Trash into Sleek New Shoes (Category: Fashion) Implication: The fashion and apparel industry can leverage advancements in sustainable materials and production processes to reduce waste and pollution, and appeal to consumers seeking eco-fri… - [Custom Upcycled Couture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/desert-designs): Desert Designs' The Collector's Collection Catalog is Conceptual (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Fashion industry can incorporate upcycled materials and embrace sustainable practices to cater to eco-conscious consumers. - [Bee-Inspired Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beeinspired-boots): The New Pharrell and Timberland Shoe Collection is Made from Recycled Plastic (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The fashion industry can leverage sustainable shoe collaborations and nature-inspired designs to drive innovation and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly fashion products. - [Soccer-Inspired Boardshorts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/world-cup-boardshorts): Hurley's World Cup Boardshorts Pay Tribute to World Cup Soccer Teams (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The apparel industry can capitalize on the popularity of sports by designing clothing that appeals to fans and supporters. - [Luxurious Industrial Waste Luggage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-conveyor-belts): These Leather Handbags are Made Out of Recycled Conveyor Belts (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The luxury fashion industry can benefit from upcycling industrial waste into high-end products that are eco-friendly while still maintaining style, design, and exclusivity. - [Designer Eco-Friendly Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raw-for-the-oceans-aw14): Raw for the Oceans AW14 Collection is a Pharrell Williams Project (Category: Eco) Implication: The fashion industry has been experiencing a wave of sustainable and innovative practices in the use of materials and production processes. - [Empowering Sustainable Shoe Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/klem-project): The KLEM Project Aims to Provide Every Malawian With Footwear (Category: Social Good) Implication: Social enterprises can explore opportunities to provide DIY shoe making kits as a sustainable and empowering solution for impoverished communities. - [Recycled Football Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-vapor-untouchable): The Nike Vapor Untouchable Celebrates College Football Playoffs (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for athletic footwear manufacturers to incorporate sustainable and advanced materials to create high-performance, eco-friendly shoes. - [Recycled Wool Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-wool): Sierra Club's Eco-Friendly Socks Are Made With Repurposed Materials (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion brands can embrace sustainable practices and create products with recycled and repurposed materials. ## Themes within the Plastic Couture trend ### Recycled Plastic Upcycling Trend Recycled materials are being transformed into trendy, eco-friendly fashion items driving a trend towards upcycling materials such as plastics and fabrics. ### Empowering Sustainability Trend People in impoverished communities are being provided with the materials and tools to make their own sustainable footwear and apparel, highlighting a trend towards empowering sustainability. ### Environmentally-Friendly Materials Trend As contemporary fashion trends shift towards environmental consciousness, companies are investing in organic and repurposed material choices, such as recycled wool and recycled plastic. ## What the Plastic Couture trend means for industry ### For Fashion Industry The fashion industry is driving upcycling, materials innovation, and sustainable empowerment trends by transforming recycled plastics and fabrics into stylish pieces. ### For Environmental Sustainability Industry The movement towards recycled materials and empowering sustainability is driving growth in the environmental sustainability industry, with companies focusing on eco-friendly initiatives and materials choice. ### For Athletic Footwear Industry As Adidas, Nike, and Puma all create environmentally conscious, recycled plastic shoes, athletic footwear is becoming a major platform for innovative material design choices and empowering sustainability initiatives. ## Trend signals for Plastic Couture Trend score 5.2 out of 10, from popularity 71%, activity 78%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 71% - Activity: 78% - Freshness: 8% ## Recent trend clusters - [Rider Formats](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/specialized-electric-bikes) (Eco) - [Living Barriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/bio-based-barrier-packaging) (Eco) - [Deskside Sound](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/compact-soundbar-design) (Tech) - [Engineered Knits](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/technical-knit-apparel) (Fashion) ## Trending in Eco - [Compostable Coffee Pucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-coffee-pucks) - [Off-Road Electric E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/off-road-electric-e-bikes) - [Compact Commuter E-Bike Motors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-commuter-e-bike-motors) - [Roomier Budget Electric Hatchbacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roomier-budget-electric-hatchbacks) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)