Redefining urban style with sustainability: Ari Serrano's upcycled fashion revolution
A Young Designer's Upcycling Revolution: Ari Serrano's "Please Look At My Ari Serrano"
In the heart of Washington Heights, a small studio buzzes with creativity. 23-year-old Ari Serrano, a designer with a passion for upcycling, is at work. His clothing line, "Please Look At My Ari Serrano," is a testament to his belief that fashion can be both personal and environmentally conscious.
Born and raised in a small town in Connecticut, Serrano's early life was shaped by a blend of cultures and environments, particularly his Puerto Rican heritage. His journey into fashion began when he first ran an online thrift store, but it was a designer he discovered on Instagram that inspired him to learn sewing.
Serrano's approach to upcycling demonstrates his ability to find value in discarded items and transform them into something new. His work is grounded in the belief that nothing is too far gone to be remade. He views clothing as a means to shape and share his identity, aiming to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.
His clothing style is described as "high urban couture streetwear." The brand's name and his Instagram handle, @pleaselookatmyas, are intentionally provocative to draw attention and invite viewers to question the meaning behind the looks he presents.
Serrano's work with upcycling goes beyond advocating for sustainability and a cleaner planet; it also blends fashion, selfhood, and individual expression. He believes fashion is a powerful form of self-expression, allowing individuals to create an identity that feels true to them.
However, working with secondhand materials poses challenges for Serrano. Health risks, damaged equipment, and accidents are common, but he continues to push boundaries, such as when he cut open a vintage jacket, causing blue fibers to get everywhere, including his mouth and nose. Yet, he continued working for the joy of creating.
Serrano's clothing sometimes raises eyebrows and gets him into trouble due to its unique and attention-grabbing designs. But he remains undeterred, believing that his work is a meaningful contribution to the world he's helping to shape.
In addition to his clothing line, Serrano runs an Instagram-based business called "@weedcyclers," where he turns discarded plastic mylar into handmade bags. The concept mirrors the reward system of recycling, offering an exchange and reward for picking up one of Serrano's bags.
In essence, Serrano’s work merges sustainability, individuality, and urban street style, using upcycling as both a practical method and an artistic statement to redefine how fashion can be personal, environmentally conscious, and culturally expressive simultaneously. His work is a reflection of his desire to challenge conventional fashion norms and make people stop and think.
Serrano expands his upcycling efforts to include home and garden décor, creatively transforming discarded items into stylish accessories that align with his lifestyle. His fusion of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden is a testament to his commitment to raising awareness about sustainability in all aspects of life.
Ari Serrano's "Please Look At My Ari Serrano" brand is not just about fashion; it's about promoting a lifestyle that values creativity, individuality, and eco-conscious choices, from fashion-and-beauty to home-and-garden.
