Born in 2020 in a bid to promote more circular practices in the fashion industry, Miu Miu Upcycled is a nod to the precious nature of vintage clothing, the stories clothing tells us and the value of history, continuity and timelessness. 

The latest collection is a celebration of denim, one of the most versatile and iconic fabrics, and, when done right, one of the most reliable, long lasting and hard wearing too. Despite its versatile and sturdy nature, denim can however be one of the most draining on the climate during the manufacturing process: ranging from issues in the cotton fields and ethical practises at the source, to the unprecedented amount of water necessary during the production process, it can be difficult to create a truly transparent and sustainable manufacture process. And so, with this in mind, Miu Miu Upcycled Denim has turned its attention to upcycled jeans. All pairs are dated pre-2000 and have been sourced from denim specialists all over the world, and chosen specifically for their color, weight and their unique fading qualities. More than any other material denim is prized for its aging abilities, often transforming over time into more desirable qualities than when new. In each Upcycled piece, the memory of the garment remains its backbone, outer seams are preserved before deconstruction and re-fashioning takes place, a process designed to re-use as much fabric as possible and therefore carried out by hand. The result is a reiteration of wardrobe archetypes – wide-legged jeans, trucker jackets, bra tops and shorts – and accessories – baseball caps and hair bands – a study in circularity, honoring the provenance of clothing while transforming it for modern life.

Flower embroideries too are drawn from the past. Inspired by research into 1950s haute couture, this embellishment was first seen on the Miu Miu runway for the Spring/Summer 2022 season in hues of gold; they are now re-imagined in black. Each flower is hand-sewn using silk chiffon petals, faceted beads and black crystal set into antique metal. For the first time, the Miu Miu Upcycled project also includes bags. The Miu Miu Upcycled Patch bag collection is made out of leather remnants from Miu Miu designs: the existent is reimagined to create something imbued with heritage; a respect for tradition enriches the here and now.

Actor Ever Anderson and model Huijia Chen breathe new life into the 2024 Miu Miu Upcycled collections in a series of imagery captured by Jet Swan. A study of character – in casting and clothing – and an intimate exploration of the relationship between garment and wearer, stolen moments are made permanent. Each is unique.

The Miu Miu Upcycled project debuted with a selection of 80 one-off dresses made from precious non-designer vintage finds, followed by a collaboration with Levi’s built around iconic pieces from the 1980s and ‘90s and leather jackets which appeared on Miu Miu’s Paris runway for the Fall/Winter 2022 season. All Miu Miu Upcycled collections are strictly limited, so get your hands on the exclusive pieces before it’s too late. 

Miu Miu has partnered with the Aura Blockchain Consortium a non-profit association that promotes transparency as well as customer-centric business practices throughout the lifecycle of luxury products by leveraging blockchain and other technologies. Each piece in the 2024 Miu Miu Upcycled Collection has been afforded Aura Blockchain verification.

The Miu Miu Upcycled Denim and Patch bag collections are now available in selected Miu Miu stores worldwide and on www.miumiu.com

Videos by Jet Swan

Creative by Edward Quarmby

Styling by Lotta Volkova

Casting: Ever Anderson, Huijia Chen