Narciso Rodriguez Gives Recycling a Glam Makeover

Narciso Rodriguez [hearts] Bottletop

Narciso Rodriguez (heart) Bottletop

There are certain brands that you associate with recycling and upcycling, but a name that certainly doesn’t get lumped in with that typically granola group is New York’s Narciso Rodriguez. The designer, who has dressed the likes of Michelle Obama, Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Biel (he also famously designed Caroline Bessett’s wedding gown), is more often associated with sleek lines, sexy cutouts and architectural inspirations. Last year, Rodriguez expanded his label to include a tight edit of clutches and satchels in luxe leathers and exotic skins, which are a major hit at retailers such as Barneys New York. But his latest endeavor is a collaboration with Bottletop, which incorporates tabs from soda bottles into its designs. A true high/low collaboration in every sense, the new collection is sure to bring a new attitude to recycled fashion.

Bottletop was started in 2002 by Cameron Saul and his father, Roger, who is a familiar name to those in the world of fashion: he established the British line Mulberry. The father and son team started Bottletop to help fund health education in communities in Africa, Brazil, and parts of the United Kingdom. The brand is built on up-cycled aluminum ring pulls, which are combined with luxury materials such as leather to create unique fashion pieces.

Narciso Rodriguez (hearts) Bottletop

Narciso Rodriguez (heart) Bottletop

Rodriguez was introduced to the brand by Jessica Biel, which might just be why one of the styles he’s worked on is called the Jessica clutch. The design of Rodriguez’s range (there are two styles available) was inspired by Brazilian artisans. On a trip to the country, Oliver Wayman, the codirector of the Bottletop Foundation, saw women with bags created from crochet an bottle tops.

“I love Brazil—I had a home there for many years, and I was excited to do this because I know it will help the community,” Rodriguez told Style.com. “This will make a lasting difference. Residents are learning not only skills, but also about business, and they in turn are giving back to their communities and teaching others. I love when people come up with these great ideas for finding ways to have an impact.”

The two styles include the aforementioned clutch as well as the Candice satchel, named for Candice Swanepoel — who is also the face of the Narciso Rodriguez (hearts) Bottletop campaign. Available in blush and black, the bags are created from hundreds of recycled pull tabs and soft nappa leather. The bags, which are priced at $982 for the Jessica clutch and $2,062 for the satchel, will be available at Jeffrey in New York as well as Harrods in London, with 100% of the proceeds going to fund Bottletop’s health education initiatives.

For more information, visit www.bottletop.org.

Images courtesy Bottletop

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Author:Christopher Luu for Fashion Trends Daily

Christopher Luu is a Fashion Trends Daily Senior Writer and Menswear Editor.