Astrid Barney: A true artist with a real passion for Upcycling [Nokia N8]

During my weekend visit to Brick Lane's market, I met another talented Brazilian designer Astrid Barney, who after working in Europe for few years, decided to stay in London to focus on commercialising a unique form of art using tin can material, and at the same time help local disadvantaged communities across Brazil earn a living and stay away from drugs.

Astrid's fair-trade project works closely with the Brazilian community and government to add value to the environment through sustainability and re-utilising metal materials that is extracted from tin cans!

As one of the most involved nations with recycled aluminium, plastics and all sorts of other material, Brazil's infrastructure helped sustain the project.

Astrid's enthusiasm and passion towards her unique art helped many members of the community and their families, including ex-prostitutes, homeless people, single mothers and the homeless. Which urged the government to recognize the rubbish collectors as an official job; who now collect empty cans from beaches and bars to upcycle them into those pieces of beautiful art.

The process starts by buying the lids from the collectors, disinfecting and flattening the lids, then needle work is done by the women from other underprivileged communities who adapted their traditional sewing skills to produce the final fashion products that Astrid designs and uses in London.

To give you an example of how many people could be involved in the production cycle, a small purse will consume around 85 metal lids, while a big bag could consume over 2000 which can involve between 100-500 different members of the community around Brazil who are now able to send their children to school.

Astrid's new collection of colourful bags, purses and Paco Rabanne's inspired dresses are very trendy and proving to be popular among the young crowd of Brick Lane, the collection was also featured in recent fashion photo shoots.

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[sidgurjar]

inspiring and worth emulating