Fashion

Valorisation Lab

posted by Mel Luff November 19, 2014

In a vision inspired by Robert Verdi’s custom project, combining Vans slip-ons and Hermes Scarves, Valorisation Lab are an up and coming independent headwear and accessories brand based in Kyiv. Founded last year and based in Ukraine, the street wear brand up-cycle useable remains and cut offs from genuine vintage and reclaimed fabrics giving them a new lease of life. Specialising in 5 panel caps, each is hat handmade, individually designed and only made as many times as the piece of fabric will allow. I spoke to founder and up-cycling fanatic, Denis Chernyavskyy about the inspiration behind the brand: “the brand name came from the French ‘Valorisation’ – its meaning – to increase the value of the product by its modification or transformation thus creating something new.”

In 2011 Robert Verdi paid vans to rework the classic vans slip on to incorporate vintage Hermes scarves, the result, a collection of amazing custom kicks in a marriage of vintage high end prints and everyday skate footwear. Denis told us ‘as these shoes were not for sale and a collaboration with Vans seemed impossible for a young brand like mine – I also started to think about using Vintage scarves to create an affordable yet quality product’.

Despite each striving to produce one-of-a-kind pieces, Valorisation Lab also standardize with set, key designs – loosing the ‘homemade-handmade’ feel, each 5 panel cap follows the same outline yet the team handpick and source vintage prints individually from online auctions and thrift shops. The latest hats in their AW14 collection, are crafted from repurposed tweed jackets and faux fur with the latest prototype a snapback made from reclaimed billiard cloth – ‘the first on the market to upcycle this fabric!’. Valorisation Lab are currently stocked in Berlin, Munich, Paris, Zurich and Sydney, but a little closer to home you can find them at 71 Queens – Bath and Natives Clothing Store – Bristol. You can follow them on Instagram here