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Meet The Romanian Designer Upcycling Nike Trainers Into Heels

This article is more than 4 years old.

According to the UN, the fashion industry, including the production of all clothes, contributes to around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions due to its long supply chains and energy intensive production. The industry consumes more energy than the aviation and shipping industry combined.

Additionally, the industry produces about 20% of global wastewater. Furthermore, 85% of textiles end up in landfills or are incinerated when most of these materials could be reused.

So how could designers shift practices within the industry in order to reduce climate change and carbon emissions?

The Romanian-born designer Ancuta Sarca is combatting fast fashion by upcycling old trainers and turning them into kitten heels.

Sarca, who will be presenting her work at London Fashion Week (September 13-17) this year for the first time, combines the uppers of worn Nikes with old kitten heels in order to create the hybrid footwear.

“I recently read in an article that it is estimated that there is over £30 billion worth of clothing sitting in wardrobes across the U.K. that has not been worn for over 12 months, which is shocking,” she says.

“As a fashion designer, this made me question myself and how can I contribute to changing this.”

Sarca has sustainability in mind when designing and acknowledges the impact that our consumption of fashion has had on the environment.

“We are the first generation experiencing climate change, so it’s really important that we become more conscious of the vulnerability of our planet and the consequences of our actions on the wellness of the next generations,” she explains.

“Of course, it is a long process and things can’t be changed quickly but the sooner we start being aware of it the better.”

The idea for kitten heels made from upcycled Nike trainers first came to Sarca when she was moving homes, and realized that she had more trainers than she needed. Instead of throwing them away, Sarca transformed the shoes into something she could continue wearing.

“In our era, when unfortunately fashion is one of the most polluting industries, I think one of the most conscious things I could do as a designer is use what is already out there, not produce more and more. But of course that is extremely difficult in terms of production.”

“I wanted to re-use my shoes and I loved the idea of creating an odd context for the Nike trainers, pushing the boundaries of what they can become.”

“This project started with that idea in mind after I was moving house and I was packing my stuff realising I had way too many shoes that were either broken or too old to be worn again so I decided not to discard them, but give them a second life and also make something fun that I would like to wear,” says Sarca.

Sarca’s attitude towards fashion, the environment and sustainability have affected and informed her other collaborations. She recently collaborated with Sportsbanger a London based sportswear brand, creating upcycled pieces made from leftover air mattresses. Sarca has also worked with upcycled rubber in particular in the past, having made black vinyl dresses with collars made from rubber tablecloth lace. Nevertheless, her message is clear: more sustainable solutions for a more sustainable future.

Sarca has been gaining much attention with her designs, especially with the Nike kitten heels.

“I was not expecting this at all, but I have got hundreds of messages from people wanting to buy the shoes and thousands of new followers on social media. I’ve also got good feedback from press, stylists, photographers and celebrities wanting to use the shoes.”