Upcycled Eco Fashion Line Makes New From Old

Elisabethan Eco Fashion. What the heck is that? Well, if your first thought was of immense and ornate petticoats from 75 thread count hemp sheets or corsets with horsehair drawstrings, you’re not the only one.

A trunk show featuring “upcycled” accessories and fashion is sure to have the hippies come out in hoards, but don’t put on your patchouli repellant just yet, because you’re not going to find any shimmering recycled coke can accents at Papel this weekend.

“They collect old T-shirts and sweaters and stuff,” explains Kim Mikeska, owner of Papel and host to the Eco Fashion trunk show. “They have their own patterns and cut them out and sew them together to make the clothes,” she said. Mikeska is wearing her own brown-tone eco skirt with a large flower sewn on the side.

The product line, named after owner and crafter Elisabeth Delehaunty, has been around since 1996 and was inspired by thrift store shopping and vintage fabrics.

[The idea stems from] a love of sewing and fabric and a bad habit of going to thrift stores and bringing more stuff home than I need,” says Delehaunty.

The designer says that when she started in the ‘90s, she worked primarily with vintage fabric and toured various juried art shows. Seeking a break from the travel and a use from fabric stores, she began “upcycling” old clothes into unique new fashions.

“I just had a lot of raw materials that needed to be used,” Delehaunty says, “and was looking for way to use them.”

All of the products from Elisabethan are hand made in Paonia, Colo. by Delehaunty and her staff. The line features tops and tunics, skirts, scarves and small accessory clip-on bows and headbands.

“Every piece is unique and it’s all really nice,” adds Mikeska, who says this is her second year selling the clothing wares. “They’re also knit…so you can wear it here in San Angelo,” she says, noting this weekend’s exception to our moderate temperatures.

The environmentally-conscious fashion business also does custom work upon request, just send in old T-shirts and sweaters and have a new piece designed, hand cut and sewn together with your favorite old pieces combined.

As for Delehaunty, she doesn’t really have a favorite thing to make. “There’s something nice about making some of the small stuff,” she says, noting the detail, “but there’s also something about…seeing how the bigger pieces come together.”

In San Angelo, Mikeska says the scarves tend to be the most popular, and with the trunk show to run through Saturday, she just hopes she’s got enough. Customers making a $50 purchase or more will receive a $10 off coupon on Thursday only, and supplies are available only while they last.

“I’m just thrilled that we’ve made such a good name in San Angelo,” Delehaunty said.