Love)story of my upcycled jewelry?

Za posledný mesiac som sa viackrát zámerne zmienila o tom, kto zhotovil moje oblečenie: #whomademyclothes. A keďže mám doma šperky od niekoľkých súčasných slovenských šperkárok, chcela som prísť aj s témou: kto zhotovil môj šperk / #whomademyjewelry. Nakoniec to všetko vypálilo inak a nafotili sme v uliciach Aucklandu reálne nosenie šperkov textilných – od maďarskej značky 'CirrHopp recycle'. Tá sa zameriava na „slow dizajn“ a „upcykláciu“, a to nielen v apríli – mesiaci Módnej revolúcie.
In the last month, I have written several articles on a topic: #whomademyclothes. Since I have got some jewelry pieces from several Slovak contemporary jewelers I also wanted to come up with a theme: #whomademyjewelry. Finally, everything went differently and we took some shots of textile jewelry in the streets of Auckland – made by Hungarian brand 'CirrHopp recycle'. Its owner focuses on "slow design" and "upcycling" (not only in April – the month dedicated to Fashion Revolution).

Medzi pravidlá udržateľnej a pomalej módy (ako aj dizajnu) patrí: Nakupujte len to, čo potrebujete; Vyberte si kvalitný (hoci i výraznejší) kúsok, ktorý môžete kombinovať s ostatnými časťami oblečenia; Podporte značku, ktorá je lokálna a vie zdokumentovať – kde sa kupujú materiály pre výrobu a kto zhotovuje finálne produkty. Veľa zaujímavých domácich značiek môžete objaviť na bratislavských Urban marketoch. Tam chodím pravidelne, no vždy s vopred vyčlenenou hotovosťou a zásadne bez platobnej karty. Ide o preventívnu stratégiu, ako sa krotiť a nenakúpiť hneď všetko, čo človeku od domácich predajcov a predajkýň padne do oka.
Na Visegrad marketoch v Starej tržnici bolo vždy riziko objavenia zaujímavých odevov či módnych doplnkov ešte o niečo vyššie. Na jednom mieste sa totiž objavili okrem slovenských a českých tvorivých ľudí aj dizajnéri a dizajnérky z Poľska a najmä Maďarska. Výborná šanca na porovnanie výrobných trendov aj marketingových stratégií a nadviazanie spoluprác. Pred pár rokmi som tam objavila značku CirrHopp recycle, ktorá sa špecializuje na výrobu upcyklovaných šperkov a ktorá mi prirástla k srdcu. Sídli neďaleko, u našich južných susedov. Jeden z jej výrobkov môžete stále vyhrať v súťaži na #balbodebra fanpage.   
The rules of sustainable and slow fashion (as well as slow design) include: Buy just what you need; Choose a piece of good quality that you can combine with other parts of your clothing; Support local designer who is about where textile materials come from and who makes the final products. Many interesting local brands can be found at Urban markets in Bratislava. I go there regularly, but always with a certain amount of cash only (without my credit card). This is a preventative strategy to save money and not to buy right now everything that all these interesting vendors offer there. 
The risk of finding some interesting pieces of clothing or fashion accessories was even higher at Visegrad markets. Under the same roof there are designers and from Poland and Hungary in addition to Slovak and Czech creative people. It’s an excellent chance to compare production trends, marketing strategies and to establish co-operation. Few years ago I discovered ‘CirrHopp recycle’ brand there that focuses on making upcycled jewelery. I fell in love with it immediately. The brand is located in Hungary, not very far away from Bratislava. You can win one of CirrHopp products on my #balbodebra fanpage now.

Práve pre metódu kreatívneho znovu-použitia materiálov, ako sú PET fľaše a nosené tričká, som obdivovala CirrHopp. Z natavených plastov totiž vznikali výrazné náušnice Plabodot a z nastrihaných farebných šnúr zasa textilné náhrdelníky POP. Jednoduchý nápad, skvelé prevedenie. Férovosť lokálneho dizajnu a šetrenie životného prostredia zaručené. Modro-ružovú a najnovšie aj sivo-zelenú kombináciu nosievam pravidelne na aucklandské kultúrne podujatia – zväčša k jednofarebným outfitom (napríklad k čiernemu overalu), aby štruktúra a textúra šperkov vynikla.
Značka 'CirrHopp recycle' sa snaží zaujať širokú verejnosť aj svojimi upcyklačnými workshopmi, kde si ľudia nielen urobia radosť ručne urobeným výrobkom, ale uvedomia si hodnotu a ľudský element za každým jedným kusom odevu či módneho doplnku, ktorý nosia (alebo si ho často len kúpia vo “fast fashion” reťazci a ani nenosia). Podmienky pracovníčok v odevných továrňach kdesi v Ázii sa ani v náznaku nepodobajú tým z európskych upcyklačných workshopov.
Práve preto sú kampane Fashion revolution dôležité, ako aj pátranie po tom, kto zhotovil ten váš šperk či šaty. Ja som svoju love)story našla. Ak ste aj vy so získanými odpoveďami spokojné, gratulujem. Ak odpoveď nepoznáte, pokračujte v hľadaní – má to zmysel. Väčší, než by sa na prvý pohľad zdalo… 
I admire CirrHopp for the method of creative re-use of materials such as PET bottles and worn T-shirts. Plabodot distinctive earrings are made out of fused plastics and colorful POP necklaces are made out of cut fabric strips. Simple idea, great design. The fairness of local design and environmental protection are guaranteed. The blue-pink and the latest gray-green combination I wear regularly at Auckland cultural events – mostly in combination with one-color outfit (for example black overall, jumpsuit) to make the structure and texture of the jewelry more visible. 
'CirrHopp recycle' brand is also invites general public to its up-cycling workshops. People enjoy their hand-made production there and they also realize the value, as well as human element behind every single piece of clothing or fashion accessory they wear (or often they just buy it at “Fast fashion” chain store without wearing it). Unfortunately, the conditions of garment workers in clothing factories across Asia do not copy an atmosphere of these European up-cycling workshops.
This is why Fashion Revolution campaigns, as well as the search for #whomadeyourjewelry or #whomadeyourclothes answers are important. I found my love)story. If you are satisfied with your answers – congratulations! If you do not know an answer yet – continue in searching. It makes a sense. Greater than you would think...

Text / Written by: Boba Markovič Baluchová, Foto / Photo: Palo Markovič

In ‘CirrHopp recycle’ case you will know: Who made your jewelry (Interview)

Many events in April are related to Fashion revolution movement. Hungarian brand CIRRhopp recycle is a very good example of slow fashion approach and original hand-made design. On balbodebra blog you can win beautiful upcycled bracelette from CIRRhopp collection. Let me introduce you this local brand through an interview with its founder – Kinga Balogh.

 

When and why have you decided to set up a brand CirrHopp Recycle?

It all happened in 2011 when I wanted to recycle and process my leftover clothes in a creative way. So I started this upcycling project by discovering new possibilities and exploring new methods how jersey clothes can be transformed into “T-shirt yarns”.

Is this your primary job now? What was your occupation before CirrHopp period?

Yes, I have been doing this for living. My previous job was connected to the financial field at multinational company.

What materials do you use during your art-work of upcycling? Where all of them come from?

I mostly use old or unwanted T-shirts for necklaces and bracelettes. I also collect and transform empty PET bottles from sodas into earrings. Usually they come from my local environment, from my customers, as well as charity organizations.

What is the most popular product from your collection?

POP necklaces made out from colorful T-shirts and Plabodot earrings made out from transparent PET bottles.

How do people react to your upcycled jewelry?

In my country people are well informed and aware of environmental issues, so reusing / reducing / recycling +/- upcycling topic is familiar to them. Nowadays I can see the most important change in their behaviour – that do not wonder about my products, they want to buy them.

I met you personally at one of Visegrad urban market in Bratislava. How did you like the idea of market and what brands and products did you like there the most?

It was a great possibility for Hungarian designers to show their brands portfolio in Bratislava and develop some cooperations with Slovak designers, organizers, shop-owners etc.. I like it so much. And my favorite Slovak brand? Veroin jewelry.

Good choice! My wedding ring is from Veroin’s portfolio. How do you describe local design and slow fashion production in Hungary?

In the period of last five years Hungarian fashion and product designers have become more focused on eco-consciousness, ethics and transparency of their brands. We are responsible not only for our closest environment, but we want to show a comprehensive, more global picture of fashion industry to our customers. We want to offer them a possibility of choice, such as slow design and slow fashion, recycling and upcycling techniques at fashion shows, design markets, showrooms.

You also organize workshops related to recycling and upcycling. What is a target group and what is the feedback from participants?

This year I am going to hold a workshop once a month. The target group is highly diverse. There are kids, housewives, young girls, but also company leaders or elderly people among the participants. The most important characteristic feature of all these people is their sense of responsibility for their environment. They are always very enthusiastic about upcycling techniques that I show them – from cutting old T-shirts, making yarns, through ordering colors, up to sewing chosen pieces and designing final look of fabric jewelry. After the workshops they go home and can’t stop making fabric jewelry on their own. What a feedback for me!

Ms Kinga Balogh - the founder of Hungarian brand CIRRhopp recycle

What are your future plans related to your brand progress or workshops structure?

Together with my friend, co-worker and foot-wear designer Franka I am going to organize an upcycling shoe-making workshop. In next few weeks we will show workshops’ participants how to make their own moccasins, sandals by using recycled and upcycled materials. This is very unique approach in Hungary or maybe even in the entire Europe. Besides that we are planning to repeat these workshops and prepare some kind of DIY-kit for summer season too.

How you will contribute to Fashion revolution week in Hungary this year?

During Fashion Revolution week I would like to emphasize the importance of slow design / slow fashion and share this idea among my followers at social networks. I will definitely recommend ‘True Cost’ movie to them. Everything related to my brand ‘CirrHoppRecycle’ is made by me – from primary research, pilot design, through materials collection and preparation, actual production and whole marketing (advertising, tabling at markets, online selling) up to teaching the upcycling methods. I can proudly and honestly say: “I (really) made your jewelry.”

Written by: Boba Markovic Baluchova & Kinga Balogh, Photo: CirrHopp Recycle brand