# Upcycled Artistic Accessories Grain Design Promotes Guatemalan Artisans and Helps the Planet By Jessica Marcel | Published 2010-03-25 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grain-design References: [design-milk](http://design-milk.com/bridging-cultures-through-design-by-grain/) & [graindesign](http://www.graindesign.com/) Designer Mimi Robinson led a team of design students--including Chelsea Green, James Minola and Brit Kleinman--in a project seeking to promote Guatemalan artisans and reuse [vintage textiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/linkdesigns). Some of the results of the project are in the gallery, so check them out. [Upcycling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freitag-x-tudes-studio) is a great way to give new life to perfectly good [vintage materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daon-pottery). Green, Minola and Kleinman are part of Grain design, which has the slogan "Designing the Business of Sustainability." Check out more of their designs on their site. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 89% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Upcycling Vintage Materials:** Opportunity for designers to create new products by repurposing vintage textiles. - **Sustainable Design:** Demand for products and initiatives that prioritize environmental sustainability. - **Promoting Artisanal Crafts:** Opportunity to support and showcase traditional artisan skills from different cultures. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion:** Fashion brands can incorporate upcycled vintage textiles into their designs for unique and sustainable products. - **Home Decor:** Home decor brands can explore using upcycled vintage textiles to create eco-friendly and one-of-a-kind furnishings. - **Craft and Artisanal Goods:** Artisans and craft businesses can leverage upcycling techniques to create distinctive products with a focus on sustainability. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Archival Furniture Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grain-pile.md) - [Coffee Grounds-Made Home Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-grounds-as-material.md) - [Resin Hardware Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-hardware.md) - [Sustainable Artist Endeavors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recasetify.md) - [Sustainably-Focused Experimental Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-fashion-collection.md) - [Ceramic Waste Carafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sungai-carafe.md) - [Upcycled Tent Garments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-festival-waste.md) - [Chopstick-Crafted Homeware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/renew-by-trinity.md) - [Grainy Cork Furniture Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clover-collection-2.md)