Upcycling: how our artisans are pushing the BOUNDARIES OF sustainable luxury

It is said that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and it’s never been more true than when it comes to upcycling, where waste is converted into new products that are superior to the original.

This differs from traditional recycling, which involves taking consumer waste (usually plastic, paper, metal or glass) and breaking it down before turning it into a reusable product. The conventional environmental trope of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle has evolved into Upcycle, Repurpose, Reuse—bringing a second life to products or materials that would have otherwise been discarded. 

UPCYCLING CAN BE TRACED BACK TO EARLY HUMANS

The history of upcycling can actually be traced back to early humans, when the reuse and “upcycling” of materials and products was an essential part of life. The idea was taken mainstream when architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart published the book “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things”, in 2002.

The book was printed with soy-based ink on plastic pages and the ink could be removed, allowing another book to be printed on the pages or the plastic to be upcycled into an equal or higher quality product. In order to achieve sustainability in the face of the global trash epidemic, limited resources, and other environmental challenges, McDonough and Braungart called on designers and innovators across industries to remake the way we make things.  

HOW OUR PARTNERS ARE SETTING THE STANDARD IN SUSTAINABLE LUXURY

At Obakki, sustainability is at the core of everything we do and our artisan partners are dedicated to creating timeless pieces that are made to last and be cherished, while reducing their environmental impact.

HANDCRAFTING JEWELRY FROM UPCYCLED HORN AND WOOD

In Kibera, one of the world’s most impoverished communities, our design partners create beautiful products from scraps found throughout the city. Using pieces of upcycled animal horn and discarded wood, these talented makers are utilizing their craft to create a new future for themselves while reducing the impact on the environment.

Wave Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5
Wave Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5
Wave Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5
Wave Ring Jewelry
Wave Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5
Wave Ring Jewelry
Wave Ring Jewelry

Wave Ring

$51.00
Slim Flat-top Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5
Slim Flat-top Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5
Slim Flat-top Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5
Slim Flat-top Ring Jewelry
Slim Flat-top Ring Jewelry
Slim Flat-top Ring Jewelry
Slim Flat-top Ring Jewelry

Slim Flat-top Ring

$51.00
Beaded Arch Earrings Jewelry Black/Gold
Beaded Arch Earrings Jewelry Black/Gold
Beaded Arch Earrings Jewelry Black/Silver
Beaded Arch Earrings Jewelry
Beaded Arch Earrings Jewelry

Beaded Arch Earrings

$63.00
Thin Oval Hoop Earrings Jewelry
Thin Oval Hoop Earrings Jewelry
Thin Oval Hoop Earrings Jewelry
Thin Oval Hoop Earrings Jewelry Silver
Thin Oval Hoop Earrings Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Thin Oval Hoop Earrings Jewelry

Thin Oval Hoop Earrings

$80.00

HAND-FORGING JEWELRY AND HOME OBJECTS MADE FROM 100% UPCYCLED BRASS

Sylvester is a master blacksmith in Kenya whose designs use existing disposable materials and he skillfully reworks them into unique fine jewellery creations. Sylvester's collection of brass jewelry and home objects are made from 100% upcycled brass—discarded taps, padlocks, and old coins that would have otherwise ended up in the junkyard. With a design-led aesthetic, Sylvester skillfully remakes these existing materials into beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations.

Chain Link Earrings Jewelry
Chain Link Earrings Jewelry
Chain Link Earrings Jewelry
Chain Link Earrings Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Chain Link Earrings Jewelry Silver Plated
Chain Link Earrings Accessories

Chain Link Earrings

$74.00
Halfmoon Earrings Jewelry
Halfmoon Earrings Jewelry
Halfmoon Earrings Jewelry
Halfmoon Earrings Jewelry Brass
Halfmoon Earrings Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Halfmoon Earrings Jewelry
Halfmoon Earrings Accessories

Halfmoon Earrings

$74.00
Split Bean Earrings Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Split Bean Earrings Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Split Bean Earrings Jewelry
Split Bean Earrings Jewelry Silver Plated
Split Bean Earrings Jewelry
Split Bean Earrings Accessories

Split Bean Earrings

$74.00
Chunky Chain Link Bracelet Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Chunky Chain Link Bracelet Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Chunky Chain Link Bracelet Jewelry
Chunky Chain Link Bracelet Jewelry Silver Plated
Chunky Chain Link Bracelet Jewelry
Chunky Chain Link Bracelet Accessories

Chunky Chain Link Bracelet

$135.00

CREATING WOVEN ART FROM TEXTILE WASTE

Our weaving partners from Querétaro create truly sustainable products using textile waste, upcycled raw cotton, and fiber from a Sansevieria plant to create unique and timeless objects for the home. This shift from a linear to circular economy ensures that artisans are offered opportunities to continue growing their business in a way that benefits the environment where they work.

Whether they’re melting down existing metals to create something new or using components of old jewellery to make new pieces, or taking textile waste to create stunning wall pieces, these creative minds are setting the standard in sustainable luxury. 

The Sea Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
The Sea Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
The Sea Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
The Sea Wall Hanging Wall Hangings

The Sea Wall Hanging

$4,195.00
Charro Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Charro Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Charro Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Charro Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Charro Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Charro Wall Hanging Wall Hangings

Charro Wall Hanging

$4,195.00
Morse Xaweri Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Morse Xaweri Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Morse Xaweri Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Morse Xaweri Wall Hanging Wall Hangings

Morse Xaweri Wall Hanging

$4,195.00
Desert Dunes Wall Hanging Wall Hangings Natural + Natural 27.5
Desert Dunes Wall Hanging Wall Hangings Natural + Natural 27.5
Desert Dunes Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Desert Dunes Wall Hanging Wall Hangings
Desert Dunes Wall Hanging Wall Hangings

Desert Dunes Wall Hanging

$4,195.00

THE FUTURE OF UPCYCLING 

As upcycling continues to evolve, the idea of deconstructing and recombining waste products to create luxury craft items remains a cornerstone of our approach to slow design. We are proud to partner with these innovators to bring you contemporary pieces, thoughtfully designed with waste and exquisitely created, that are steeped in tradition and sustainability. And we can’t wait for you to welcome them into your home.

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