We believe that every trouser leg, shirt or piece of bedding can live longer than we often imagine when the urge to refresh our wardrobe appears. Because refreshing it is perfectly normal. However, we believe that every piece we have worn can be given a second life. That is why, as a matter of principle, we source our main materials from second-hand stores or receive them from our friends. Quite often, our own things are transformed into new pieces available on the website, created here in our upcycling studio. Our goal is to give things a second chance at life, because they can serve us for longer than we think. We hope you will support conscious business and slower fashion, although in our studio we don't really like the word “fashion” — we value individual style more. It is also a way to support a local maker and reuse things instead of constantly producing new ones. A significant part of the waste eventually ends up somewhere we no longer see it — including in countries commonly referred to as the “third world”. Although there is no other world but our own. Our production is currently based in a spacious room of an old apartment in Wrocław’s Ołbin district, not far from Stanisław Tołpa Park. Every piece is made by us, by hand, using a professional industrial sewing machine and an overlock. In reality, ivashko, upcycling studio is one person and our most precious assistants — our parents. They are the foundation of ivashko and the carriers of its craft traditions and experience. We also work with friends who are already retired. It is a very intimate studio. This is where makers gather — people who have practically spent their whole lives living through sewing and craft. The entire process is incredibly interesting and takes a lot of time — from the initial idea, drawing the pattern and sewing the piece, all the way to the photograph on Instagram and, finally, the moment when the bag appears on your shoulder. So, what does this journey actually look like? 1. We take our big bags and head to Wrocław’s second-hand stores, where we personally select everything that catches our eye. Everything needs to be sturdy and durable; thinner denim can work too, but preferably it should be 100% cotton. We also buy velvet, canvas, camouflage, tweed, sturdy bedding for bags and checked shirts, because they are always reliable. 2. When necessary, we buy additional hardware and supplies — webbing for handles, sometimes lining, interfacing or metal details. Zippers less often, but who knows. 3. We sort everything and select materials that can be combined into a small batch, almost like a mini collection. That is where we dream of getting to. 4. Some things get washed. Everything is unpicked — always. And then we do a lot of ironing. 5. Then, most of the time, we create a pattern specifically for our materials, or use one we already have if the dimensions actually work. Only then do we cut and start shaping the pieces. 6. We sew everything together and leave our signature — an orange or yellow tape. We hope to start sewing in our own labels very soon, but for now, this is how we do it. 7. Then we take the camera and photograph everything for the catalogue. Whenever possible, we invite friends and organise photo shoots, after which everything goes online — on our accounts and on the website. 8. A week before the drop, when everything is definitely ready, we write the posts and something for the blog, telling the story behind each batch — where it came from, how and why it was made, and most importantly: how many bags came out of it, and what kind. Along the way, we print our paper tags and thank-you cards. We set the drop date. We wait with you. And we enjoy your orders. So that is our journey — if not that of a samurai, then perhaps a Mandalorian. 🌾
“We don't just sew bags. We create things that remind us — a second chance can be beautiful.”
