There was a time when I believed sustainability had to look serious—muted colors, minimalist packaging, and solemn declarations of purpose. But the first time I saw one of Nicole McLaughlin’s creations—a pair of sandals made entirely out of tennis balls—I felt a kind of lightness I hadn’t expected. I laughed, I paused, and then I thought deeply. There was something beautifully subversive about her work: it invited joy and reflection in the same breath. In a world weighed down by climate anxiety, Nicole showed me that hope could be stitched with humor—and that even trash could be reborn with purpose.

Today, Nicole McLaughlin stands at the forefront of sustainable fashion, not by preaching, but by playing. With a background in graphic design and a career that began in sneaker branding at Reebok, she made a quiet pivot that has since reshaped the design world’s understanding of waste. Nicole’s work takes discarded everyday items—think shower caps, plastic bags, bread tags, deflated volleyballs—and transforms them into one-of-a-kind wearable pieces. Her studio is equal parts laboratory and playground, where forgotten materials find new lives, and innovation is born from limitation.

A Designer Who Sees Beauty in the Discarded

“By transforming everyday trash into wearable art, I aim to make people pause … and rethink waste.” — Nicole

Nicole McLaughlin is a New York-based designer who turned a hobby into a movement. In 2018, what started as playful experimentation with Reebok’s discarded samples evolved into a full-time career exploring the boundaries of upcycling and sustainable fashion. Her Instagram feed, followed by over 800,000 people, showcases her tongue-in-cheek approach: camera bags transformed into bralettes, old volleyballs reimagined as slippers, and board shorts crafted from packets of Haribo gummies.

But beneath the humor lies profound intentionality. Nicole’s upbringing shaped her sensibility—her mother took her to thrift stores, teaching her that nothing should go to waste. This early exposure to resourcefulness became the foundation of her design philosophy. “By transforming everyday trash into wearable art,” she explains, “I aim to make people pause and rethink waste.” Her pieces challenge our assumptions about value and permanence, proving that what we discard isn’t always broken—it’s often just overlooked.

Visit her website here!

Building Community Through Workshops and Education

What sets Nicole apart is her commitment to sharing knowledge. Beyond creating individual pieces, she leads workshops globally, teaching people to see the creative potential in pre-existing items. These hands-on experiences demystify design and encourage participants to experiment with sustainable practices themselves. She’s collaborated with institutions like the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, where she mentors design students, and has partnered with major brands including Merrell, Hoka, Puma, Allbirds, and Gucci.

Nicole is also developing a nonprofit organization aimed at connecting large companies—especially those with deadstock and overstock materials—to schools and universities that need design resources. Her vision extends beyond individual creation to systemic change, making sustainability education accessible to young designers who might otherwise lack the resources to pursue their passions. “It’s not so much the product,” she says. “It’s more the mindset behind it.”

Recognition and Influence

“She shows us that what we throw away isn’t always broken—it’s often just overlooked.” — Recent LinkedIn Comment

Nicole’s innovative approach has earned her widespread recognition. She was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2023, and her work has been featured in prestigious publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Italian Vogue, and Women’s Wear Daily. Despite this high-profile recognition, Nicole maintains her DIY aesthetic—her Instagram features simple iPhone photographs against white walls, emphasizing that sustainability can be accessible to everyone.

Her influence extends beyond the fashion industry. Nicole has become a prominent voice for sustainable innovation, demonstrating that design should naturally incorporate environmental responsibility rather than treating it as an afterthought. She doesn’t force sustainability down people’s throats; instead, she makes it irresistible through creativity and playfulness.

Visit her website here!

A Legacy Stitched with Hope

In an industry often ruled by prestige and polish, Nicole McLaughlin has built her reputation through honesty, humor, and heart. She doesn’t chase trends or mass-produce. Her impact isn’t measured by runway shows or retail drops—it’s in the growing movement of creatives rethinking how and why they make.

As the climate crisis continues to accelerate, voices like Nicole’s offer something rare and essential: the ability to imagine a better world without turning away from the one we live in. She gives us permission to laugh, to question, and most importantly, to begin again—with whatever we have in front of us. Nicole McLaughlin is not just reshaping objects—she’s reshaping our relationship to them, reminding us that sustainability is about saving not just the planet, but the sense of wonder, responsibility, and care that connects us to it.

To get even more inspiration check out 7 Small Businesses in NYC Revolutionizing Sustainable Fashion with Zero Wasteand 5 Local Boutiques in Montreal Bringing Unique Home Decor Designs to Life.