High Five: 5 materials you probably didn't know are used to make clothes
From glasses made of vinyl to hats formed with chocolate — the fashion industry doesn't always settle for glass and cotton. Some designers prefer to work with material that isn't usually associated with the catwalk.
Stylish plastic bags
Plastic bags are everywhere, so why not do something creative with them? That's what fashion designer and environmental activist Katell Gélébart thought. With her label Art d'Eco, she transforms plastic waste into wearable jackets, bags and even evening gowns. Except for the rustling of the material, you wouldn't know where it came from.
Chocolate dresses
They are the highlight of the annual Salon du Chocolat in Paris: dresses made of pure chocolate are presented at a fashion show at the event's opening. Chocolatiers and fashion designers team up to create the tasty gowns, which are worn on the catwalk by French celebrities. However, the dresses aren't for daily wear as they tend to chip.
Comic accessories
A Berlin designer breathes new life into old comic books. Sophia Wening makes phone covers, wallets, cigarette cases and even handbags from unwanted superhero comic books. She first compiles a collage, then covers it in plastic and sews it together. Customers who want to carry around their favorite superhero can order personalized items.
LED fashion
The jackets designed by Veronika Aumann of Berlin work like a screen thanks to hundreds of LEDs sewn into the fabric. The result is a fabric that can glow in any color or intensity you want. It comes with an app that can be used to create a picture with the lights on the jacket. It's certainly a futuristic attention-getter and can be transformed to match the mood.
Vinyl glasses
Can you guess the origin of these frames? The ridges give it away. They were made from old records by the label Vinylize. Owner Zachary Tipton searches record stores for records that no one wants to buy and uses them to fashion one-of-a-kind eyewear. He also offers sunglasses.