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At Dedicated, we’re always looking for new ways to make fashion more circular, creative, and meaningful. That’s why we launched a special upcycling project together with students from Tillskärarakademin in Stockholm. The idea was simple: give a second life to our samples and faulty garments, and turn them into fresh, one-of-a-kind pieces.
By opening our archives to two talented textile designers, we found an exciting way to reuse some old samples instead of simply recycling them, and we also offered the chance to work hands-on with a real design brief. And hopefully, together, we can inspire more people to rethink what’s already in their closets — and see the potential in upcycling.
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Tillskärarakademin, located in the heart of Stockholm, is one of Sweden’s most respected schools for pattern making, sewing, and textile craftsmanship. Students there learn everything from design development and construction to hands-on garment production. It's a place where technical skill meets creative exploration, the perfect mix for an upcycling challenge.
The garments in this project were created by Petra Ahlin & Tova-Louise Pettersson, two trained pattern makers with specialization in 3D visualization in the CLO program. They have shared with us what they liked about this project:
"It was a fun challenge to try to see a garment as something completely different. By visualizing it digitally in 3D, we were able to test different ideas and see what was possible and what the end result could be without even physically taking apart any garments. This meant we could make better use of the fabric and reduce waste." – Petra
"I am a curious creator who believes that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible. Through my upcycling project, I have shown how care and innovation can give existing garments a new life in a modern and more circular way." – Tova-Louise Pettersson
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We kicked off the collaboration by gathering at our office in Stockholm. Together with the students, we explored a selection of samples and faulty products — pieces with minor imperfections but great potential. After discussing possibilities, we gave them creative freedom to transform these leftovers into completely new designs.
The timeline was ambitious: six weeks to develop ideas, present their concepts, draft patterns, cut fabrics, and finally sew everything together. Throughout the project, we visited the school to see how the work was evolving, snap some behind-the-scenes photos, and hear them talk about their growing ideas and craftsmanship.
The outcome of this collaboration is a small but powerful collection of six upcycled garments and accessories:
Two zipped tops in our Thin Stripes and black chunky corduroy
One blouse in our Blue Cats lyocell print
A light jacket mixing our iconic Secret Garden print and fine brown corduroy
A tie in our Blue Cats lyocell print
A bag made of t-shirt stripes
Each piece is crafted from some of our most beloved garments and signature prints — reshaped, reimagined, and renewed. The students also developed patterns that allow us to recreate these designs in the future using returned or faulty items, further extending the lifespan of our materials.
These exclusive upcycled pieces are available only in our flagship store in Stockholm.
Together, we’re proving that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand — and that every garment, even the imperfect ones, deserves a second chance.
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Upcycling is all about transforming existing materials into something new — and often even better. Instead of letting garments with small flaws or samples from past collections go to waste, upcycling gives them a fresh purpose through creativity and craftsmanship. It celebrates what already exists, reduces the need for new resources, and encourages a more mindful way of experiencing fashion. Each upcycled piece carries a story, making it truly unique.
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