Upcycled Double Story Bag from old clothes with FROMSTOCK and carutena

Upcycling brand FROMSTOCK is back with a collaboration with carutena, a student group that also focuses on upcycled fashion. They have co-produced a series of “Double Story Bag” by utilizing leftover clothes in warehouses.

These Double Story Bags are called so for their invertibility. They are from two pieces of old clothing, selected through their original designs and materials. The bag can then be inverted inside out to reveal a different design. You can still see the signature looks of old clothes in the designs, be it the back pocket of a pair of jeans, or the folded seams of a skirt.

The design is also a deliberate choice. These clothes have their own background stories, initiating that thought process in users about where their bags come from. It is part of the collaboration’s goal to deepen the understanding of environmental problems caused by the waste inventory problems, especially among the younger generation.

Carutena is an upcycle brand launched by two students in April 2020, and has grown to 20 active members today. They collect clothes no longer needed and upcycle them into new bags and accessories. They also hold educational campaigns to encourage extending the lifespan of clothes.

FROMSTOCK, who was using kuro zome to revive old clothes, shared the same concerns of the wasteful nature of the fashion industry as carutena. The Double Story Bag collaboration was thus born. The designs were based on carutena’s original design of vertical A4 upcycled bags. You can also see FROMSTOCK’s kuro zome input in the final products.

The Double Story Bags are currently available in two sizes, a regular size of vertical A4 size and a large size. Pre-orders have started on FROMSTOCK’s web store.