Local Clothing Maker Upcycles Donated Clothing

According to The Standard, up-cycling, the process of repurposing old clothing pieces, is becoming mainstream, and a local designer is finding success in this practice.

By using a variety of mediums, stitching and patch-working old clothing pieces, Sav Riley, owner of Designs by Sav, is creating one-of-a-kind pieces that stand out.

When growing up, Riley was very interested in photoshoots.

“When I was in grade school, I would always take my mom’s camera and do mini photoshoots by myself and with friends,” Riley said.

Towards the end of high school, Riley considered creating “an actual shoot.”

“I would always go out with a friend to different locations and take photos,” Riley said. “I slowly got more and more into that.”

These experiences inspired Riley to “jazz up” photoshoots by incorporating unique clothing pieces. Riley’s mother bought a sewing machine during the pandemic.

“I started to make my own clothes,” Riley said. “I thought other people might like these too.”

Riley posted pieces on Instagram, asking followers if anyone was interested in purchasing them. And many people were, according to Riley.

“I started to think, maybe this is an avenue for me to pursue,” Riley said.

Eight in 10 Canadians, or 78 per cent, are motivated to become an entrepreneur because of the freedom it offers in comparison to a corporate job, as reported by a recent poll conducted by Ipsos. Eighty-four per cent of individuals aged 18-34 agreed with the sentiment. Riley is a self-taught clothing designer. They watched many tutorials on YouTube and experienced lots of trial and error in the learning process.

“I’m still learning,” Riley added. “I am definitely not a professional, but I can put two pieces together and make them stick together.”

They operate the business through people giving them donated clothing, Riley said. Designs by Sav has been around for about two or three years.

“The reception has been really cool,” Riley added.

According to Riley, Windsor’s creative community has welcomed them “with open arms” and that their inspiration for the pieces comes from everywhere and in everything in the environment.

“My friends and the atmosphere around me inspire me,” Riley said. “Sometimes I look at a piece and get an idea from that.”

Additionally, Riley said Design by Sav’s Instagram algorithm is very clothing and art-centric, providing lots of inspiration from the timeline. Riley enjoys going to the Phog Lounge, calling it “an intimate, quirky nightspot” featuring independent bands with pub-grub and a bar in downtown Windsor.

“That’s where I meet many of my creative friends and hang out,” Riley said.

According to Riley, seeing friends often is inspiring – talking with them about their creative ideas and recent projects they are working on.

Batool, a 24-year-old visual artist based out of Windsor, said she met Riley when they were 19 and she was 18.

“It felt like we had known each other our whole lives,” Batool said. “Sav is one of those people who brings comfort to everyone they meet because they are so confident and secure in their own identity, which brings out the best in everyone they meet.”

Batool described Riley as “creative as all hell.”

“You can tell through their work how creative they are,” Batool added. “But really, how they operate in the world makes them creative. There is never a dull moment or conversation when you’re around Sav and I think that really shines through their work.”

Riley said buying second-hand clothing is important because it is sustainable.

“It’s good to use second-hand, especially now, because it has become popularized to consume more,” Riley added.

According to Ontario Nature, Designs by Sav and other circular business models help reduce the negative impacts of fast fashion by extending the lifespan of clothing and reducing the need for resource extraction during production.

Second-hand clothing pieces can be better quality because of their worn-in feel, allowing others to wear them a million times more, according to Riley.

“It’s cool to continue the lifecycle of a clothing piece,” Riley said. “Taking a piece that someone didn’t want because they donated it and then making it desirable again – that process is really cool to me because anything can be cool again.”

Follow Sav on Instagram @designsby.sav!