Case Study: Upcycling in China

In China, there are anti-consumerist movements that are starting to take hold. The capitalistic system with its mantra growth for jobs, money,material goods, and for status, has failed to produce happiness and sustainability. In light of this revolution, China is in search of a different system and the authenticity that has been lost, instead turn to places yet untouched by the consumerist veil, such as East. However, at the same time, western and American lifestyle are gaining influence on Asian and Chinese consumption. West turn to East and East influence West.

Despite this there are signs of disruption, the evolving upcycling scene in Beijing is one of them. The recent LDDC Sustainable Fashion Exhibition is another, the 50 ‘post-mao generation’ artists showcasing at UCCA yet another, ongoing JUE Festival, innovative filmmakers and an experimental music scene are others.

For example, Fang Fang, is the owner of China's first real second hand store Trash & Diamond. In the store is a large upcycled bottle chandelier as well as a centerpiece table made from upcycled cardboard. Her store is not just another vintage store, of which there are a handful in Beijing. In fact, Trash & Diamond hardly have any vintage items at all, they focus instead on a buy-sell-trade concept that let worn clothes back into the cycle with the goal to prevent waste in a country widely recognized as a giant manufacturer of cheap clothes.