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At Eastpak, we believe in giving our products a second life. Our dedication isn’t just about making bags that are Built To Resist, but also inspiring others to reimagine what they own. In this spirit, we’re thrilled to share a project with London-based artist and designer Katie France, who transformed pre-loved Eastpak bags into new designs.
Katie France is a London-based designer and artist known for her innovative approach to upcycling and sustainable fashion. Her brand, Katie France London, is rooted in a lifelong love of hearts - a symbol that sparks happiness and positivity. Each piece Katie creates with love and a burst of dopamine - the feel-good factor she believes every bag should bring. Using a blend of new, vintage, deadstock fabrics, her collections are a vibrant celebration of upcycled fashion.
What inspired you to start upcycling, and how has your journey evolved over time?
I think the fixing and mending came from my love of clothes, I started shopping in charity shops at a young age and things were always the wrong size so you would have to chop the bottom off. Quite often wonky, but I’d always save the bit of fabric to one day make something with. I thought it was cool that I could get more than one piece for my wardrobe from one item, like using the extra fabric to make a head scarf! I also didn't want to look like everyone else so changing high-street clothes was also something I liked to do.
I also just love the thought that things can have multiple lives…it gives something a deeper history and I think that’s cool. Now when I source things, I immediately come up with a story in my head as to where and how much fun and scandal it’s seen in its time. And it makes me smile.
Creating my bags from small pieces of vintage fabric, bed sheets or curtains to make really unique and exclusive bags is where I really have my fun and knowing that you have given that item or fabric another life is also caring about the planet.
What were your inspirations for this specific upcycled product with Eastpak, and how did you approach the design process?
My inspiration has and will probable always be.....joy! I want to make people smile when they see my bags. Eastpak has been a brand in my life for years, so I really wanted to keep the sport feel but with the Katie France London twist. Using as much of the Eastpak bags without having to add trims was my number one goal..... When choosing the Eastpak bags to make into the Katie France London Love Bombs, I picked the brightest colours.
But not having made bags from bags before I couldn’t even think about what I could create until I matched up the colours when I got home. I wanted to use as much of the fabric and hardware from the Eastpak bags as possible, so it was only once I had deconstructed the original Eastpak bags and worked out how much fabric, zips and trims I had to work with that I could make my plans.
The patchwork maxi bag was particularly challenging as its made 80% from bumbags and they are so small. I really enjoyed that one as it has pushed me design wise and I have always been obsessed with patch work quilts and with Eastpak having a sportier edge than my usual style I wanted to make sure I included having the working pockets on the outsides of the bags too so happy we managed that on two of the bags.
What excites you most about creating an upcycled project with Eastpak and how do you feel this project contributes to promoting sustainability?
The fabrics!!! Working with a brand that gives a 30 year warranty with most of their bags is definitely a wonderful brand to be collaborating with, it's so Earth positive. It was a dream to give Eastpak bags the Love Bomb treatment and I hope that this collaboration will inspire others to get making and creating from things maybe that they already have. It’s such a fun way to show off your personality and individuality, get the sewing machine out or start with a glue gun. It can be so fun to make things unique to you and you can start small, I did!
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