From Whiskers to Waves: A Journey in Upcycling with Kings of Indigo

At Kings of Indigo, we’re constantly inspired by creativity that challenges the norm, especially when it meets sustainability head-on. Recently, we had the pleasure of collaborating with an incredibly talented designer named Sina Steidinger, who took our unused denim samples and second-choice garments and transformed them into something truly special: a one-of-a-kind upcycled jacket.

This piece is more than just fashion: it’s a statement. And in her own words, here’s how the project came to life.

The Concept: Turning the Old into Something Bold

The idea behind the jacket was simple yet powerful: to create something entirely new using what already exists. With a pile of unused materials, including old marketing jeans and oversized sample pieces, she set out to prove that upcycling can be not only environmentally responsible but also stunningly creative.

“There’s a beautiful message in using what we already have,” she explained. “Upcycling doesn’t mean compromise, it can be incredibly inspiring, and the results speak for themselves.”

For this design, the foundation had to be our raw, oversized Sumo jeans. From there, she began what she describes as “puzzling”, using different parts of old jeans and leg panels to create a visual sea landscape on the jacket. Every detail had intention.

The Process: Stitch by Stitch, Piece by Piece

It all began with some sketches and test runs on the sewing machine. Once she had a few ideas ready, she presented them to our KOI team. Together, we selected a concept that felt right, both in spirit and design. Then came the fun part: choosing the denim pieces from our office archive.

She carefully developed the pattern, ensuring a great fit while making sure every part of the jacket made the most of the available materials. After assembling the artwork and sewing it together, she added the final touch: embroidery inspired by the original KOI waistband logo.

Not everything was smooth sailing, of course. “Attaching buttons without the proper tool was a challenge,” she admits, “but I love thinking outside the box and working with what’s already there.”

One unexpected surprise? The natural whiskers in the denim evolved into wave-like patterns, a happy accident that brought the sea-inspired artwork to life!

The Details: A Story in Every Stitch

So much thought went into the jacket’s small details. The red selvage wave stitching? That’s her personal favourite. It represents the movement of water, a nod to the KOI fish and KOI’s long-standing commitment to sustainability.

“Water is essential to life. And the KOI fish lives in it,” she said. “Since the beginning, KOI has cared deeply about water usage and chemical impact. Uniting water, waves, and the fish in this design felt like the perfect story to tell.”

The result is a jacket that’s wearable and durable, yet packed with meaning, something special without being complicated.

The Message: Pride in the Process

When asked what she hopes people feel when they wear the jacket, her answer was clear: pride.

“I want people to feel proud of wearing something unique, and to see how cool upcycling can be,” she said. “Maybe it even inspires them to rethink how they approach other areas of life.”

For us at KOI, this project is a glimpse into the future of denim design, one where sustainability and creativity go hand in hand. Upcycling is more than a trend; it’s a way to honor the resources, stories, and craftsmanship behind every piece of fabric we use.

If This Jacket Had a Name...

It might be called “How Whiskers Become Waves” — a poetic nod to the unexpected beauty that comes from reimagining the familiar. Or maybe “Swimming Against the Flow”, a tribute to doing things differently, with purpose and passion.

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Want to see the final piece, or even make it yours?
We’re giving you the chance to win this one-of-a-kind upcycled jacket in our special giveaway, open until October 14. Don’t miss the opportunity to wear a story of creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship!

👉 Click here to see the full creation process behind the jacket.

👉 Click here to enter the giveaway and see the jacket up close.