In the creative pursuit to give waste materials chapters beyond the scrapyard, a Johannesburg creative made garments entirely from airbags.
Johannesburg, South Africa (25 June, 2023) — As upcycling continues to prove itself as one of the most effective ways for everyday global citizens to ease their impact on the planet, creatives continue to show us what’s possible. One artist from Johannesburg is doing exactly this, transforming an overlooked material into entire outfits in the most thought-provoking way. Meet Khumo Morojele, the artist on a mission to breathe new life into airbags.
Noticing that some of the most durable materials aren’t being repurposed, Morojele became inspired to breathe new life into airbags—one of the few life-saving materials around. Upcycling follows a similar thread; saving the Earth. Marrying the two concepts in his collection dubbed ‘Collision’, Morojele created garments that look like they could fly you into outer space, expanding the idea that there are endless possibilities for upcycling efforts.
Morojele shares that all the airbags were sourced from an automobile scrapyard in Booysens, Johannesburg under the idea ‘from wreck to rise’.
In his words:
“These garments serve as a testimony of new life and protection.”
Morojele is part of a young movement of sustainable fashion designers in South Africa. Inspired by his mother who introduced him to thrifting and ran her own boutique in Joburg CBD, he continues to pay homage to her lessons throughout his work.
“It always starts from the love of thrifting and that trickles down into me making an up-cycled piece or sharing different pieces with my friends—just that whole foundation and circulation of clothing—around friends, family and design, is what I love most about my relationship with fashion.”
What is Upcycling and Why is it Helpful to the Planet?
Upcycling differs from recycling because instead of using an item for its original purpose again—an important practice doable for many everyday items like plastic bags and cutlery—it inspires creativity to give materials that aren’t always reusable, a new chapter.
Morojele falls part of a long list of South African creatives turning waste into wonder through upcycling and repurposing discarded items; an umbrella idea that’s made sanitary pads from masks, bricks from used clothing and opportunities from up-skilling initiatives.
by 