Topshop upcycles discarded fabric with new 'Reclaim' collection

Topshop is giving a new lease of life to off-cuts of material with the launch of a new collection called "Reclaim."

The UK fashion brand's latest venture is made entirely from sustainable, surplus material and fabric remnants. The standalone capsule collection has been created from the label's existing stock of jersey, cotton and denim, retaining a strong sense of style while upcycling what would otherwise be disregarded material.

Highlights of the 20-piece series, which launched last week, include a floral silk culotte jumpsuit and white denim transformed into a 1990s-style collarless jacket. Shirts are offered in cropped styles with lace overlay and summer's key piece, the button-up pinafore dress, is presented in a dark wash denim. Contemporary zip detailing lends a masculine finish to a grey marl mini skirt and animal-print shorts keep things edgy. The company describes the collection's vibe as "essential transitional pieces."

"We are inspired to challenge textile waste across our product areas, whilst still creating versatile designs that are wardrobe essentials for our customers," explains Trish Clarke, Head of Technical Services at Topshop.

Upcycled fashion is having a moment, with brands such as G-Star Raw grabbing headlines for its latest Spring/Summer 2015 collection in collaboration with Parley for the Oceans, which saw the duo create a fashion line manufactured using recycled ocean plastic. Adidas also turned its hand to ethical upcycling earlier this summer, teaming up with Parley for the Oceans to create a concept shoe fabricated from salvaged waste material found in the sea.

The Topshop Reclaim launch comes on the back of three previous collaborations with ‘Reclaim to Wear,' a company launched in 1997 by eco-fashion label 'From Somewhere'. Reclaim is available for purchase in-store and on tophop.com, with prices ranging from $22 to $125.