Fuse TV is reimagining the design competitive series’ with its take on fashion production. “Upcycle Nation” is a competition series that showcases three designers, per episode, to compete in challenges where they are tasked with transforming previously ‘loved’ items into new styles with a unique aesthetic. Items like discarded denim jeans will be transformed into a new functional jacket or repurposing old Oreo bags into a new couture handbag, displaying the talents of 24 designers of this generation and the future of fashion.
Hosted and executive produced by Emmy Award-Winner Karrueche Tran, who is an actress and model, as well as hosted by upcycling designer Peder Cho, and fashion savant and mogul Jérôme LaMaar will be guiding contestants and judging each designer’s competitive entries or upcycled t-shirts into bags and various garments into new pieces of clothing. Upcycle Nation features aspiring “upcyclers” who are trained and untrained fashion designers from around the country, capable of turning everyday items into fashion-forward streetwear. Their raw talent is fostered to create a beautiful fashion of the future from garments of someone’s past.
“Upcycling is the next wave. What’s so great about upcycling is that it is very accessible to everyone and is ethical. I believe this show will shift the conversation around what competition shows could become,” says LaMaar. “We no longer should be producing garments or goods without thinking about how it will affect our planet in the long run.“
Upcycled fashion has been on the rise, infiltrating the streetwear and high-end fashion markets around the globe. Upcycled fashion is finding homes in places like Portugal, where a lot of fashion production happens, highlighted by the trade show Modtissimo. Product Manager and Sustainability Strategist Max Attermeyer, has devised plans to localize luxury production for his company, New Optimist. Manifesting a regenerative world, and decentralized, as the catalyst for fairer trade and minimizing the carbon footprint of fashion, upcycling is now a sport for all to partake in – with a greater sense of awareness of what upcycling is.
Max Attermeyer says of New Optimist at the Modtissimo “Future of Fashion and Textiles Is Circular” panel discussion back on September 6, where he spotlights the production process and the makers of fashion, “[We], want to show a holistic way by combining local clothing brands, and social activity that operates within our planetary boundaries. The keywords are sustainable development and circularity.” There is a sentiment that makes upcycling a truly creative process in comparison to what a linear fashion maker would produce.
This show is a mass media example of this sentiment, something noted by Tran, “I know a lot of fashion brands are aiming to move towards sustainability and I can’t wait for people to see how creative and inspiring the contestants were with so little to work with!” Attermeyer states, “sustainability means [meeting] the needs of the present generation without comprising the needs of future generations. And circular means that you don’t take more resources than you can regenerate at a time.” Additionally, LeMaar has pointed out that “luxury has also tapped into upcycling which is proof that we are headed into a new phase in apparel that’s been long overdue. I think It’s okay to slow things down and think through the design process.”
Fuse has already launched the official trailer and contestants for its upcoming competition series Upcycle Nation, premiering Wednesday, November 2 at 10 pm ET/PT. Executive producer Karrueche Tran describes her experience hosting this season’s episodes stating, “I really enjoyed being a part of this show with Jérôme LaMaar and Peder Cho. Upcycle Nation is not only fun to watch, but also shows people how to be more innovative with their wardrobe.”