The most sustainable shirt is the one already in your closet. So upcycle, repair, rewear that shirt. Boring? Not at all. We will show you 100 ways to make your old shirt ready for a new party! We call it the #100greenstatements project. We started half a year ago and (almost 😉 every week we are collaborating with new artists or designers who are creating, repairing, styling their t-shirts. Can’t wait to see what they will make. And of course, we are curious: What is their story?
This week in the spotlight is Ghislaine, from Wenaclassics. She’s a professional upcycler from Ivory Coast. In the jewelry she makes she combines materials she collects to make upcycled, unique statement pieces! We talked about making 100 green statements, and she was up for a challenge. So getting curious, what she will make!
Can you tell us a little bit about you?
My name is Ghislaine Vode, a 43 year old woman from Ivory Coast, West Africa. I am a professional in corporate communications. I write stories/ poetry so I guess you could say I am also an unpublished author and storyteller. Jewelry making came in my life at a time where I was taking a break professionally. I’ve been teaching myself since 2015 to make jewelry out of the need to reorganize my life, by switching jobs and lifestyles (I became a coach part time and a full time “professional” upcycler lol)…
How did you start your business?
The way I see jewelry is that it shouldn’t remind you necessarily of what you can afford every time you wear it. It should rather always first and foremost remind you of who you really are and what you believe in…
My jewelry line Wenaclassics is a combination of unique, one of a kind, accessories like brooches, necklaces, bracelets, few belts and handbags which I design from scratch by collecting unusual materials like aluminium cans, plastic bottles, card BOARDs, fabric scraps etc, and upcycling. I get inspired by everyday living; and also by the aesthetics in using unusual materials to make jewelry.
What are your dreams?
Right now, my dream is to bring more of what I do as a creative (in jewelry making, poetry and story writing..) for people to enjoy and get inspired by. I am also eager to meet passionate people in the arts who aren’t afraid to break boundaries.
Thank you for the invite!
Ghislaine V.
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Read more?
Check Ghislaine her profile on FOR KEEPS. Or check the instagram of Wenaclassics here!