Repurpose your old jeans with upcylcing service UseDem

You know those old jeans that you can't bear to get rid of? The ones that you wore on the plane when you first moved to Shanghai, which saw you through your backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and now are un-wearable but packed with memories? We get it: it's tough to let go. But seriously, WTF good are they doing sitting in the back of your closet?

When it comes to sustainability and the environment, textiles get little attention and recognition when they should perhaps get the most. Fabric is a leading contributor to the world of waste with only a very small percentage getting recycled.

But here in Shanghai, Xenia Sidorenko is working to change that. Having worked in the denim industry for over ten years, she saw first-hand not only the unsustainable, rapid cycle of production and consumption but also how a pair of jeans can hold memories of their own. It was this that sparked the idea for her eco-friendly love project UseDem.

From a single pair of jeans, Sidorenko will create a bag that carrier not only your stuff, but also the whole beautiful history of the roughed-up, faded denim. She describes the scuffs, stains and years of wear as transmitters of history - a representation of all you've done in those jeans. By upcycling your denim, UseDem 'transfers the prints of your adventures' into a unique and usable backpack that you can bring with you on the many escapades that await.

To upcycle your own old denim, all you have to do is send your jeans to UseDem. Your backpack will be made completely by hand, its design adjusted based on the individual details of your jeans. It's 660RMB for the large 'Buddy' backpack, or 280RMB for the drawstring 'Dot' bag - not bad for a custom item, and hey, you're doing some good for the environment. You can also join one of UseDem's workshops for 280RMB, where you'll learn to design and create a bag yourself.

To order your bag, send a message to WeChat account UseDem or shoot an email to usedemproject@gmail.com. Or, if you don't have a pair of your own jeans to upcycle (but come on, we know you do), you can pick up a UseDem bag at lifestyle shop Resee on Huahuai Zhong Lu for the same prices.