re code

Launched in 2012 by the Korean textile company Kolon Industries, RE;CODE is a pioneering sustainable fashion brand built on the principle of upcycling. With the motto “This is Not Just Fashion,” the brand challenges mainstream production by transforming deadstock inventory, industrial materials like car airbags, and military surplus into unique apparel for men and women. Each piece is the result of an artisanal process where existing garments are deconstructed and reassembled by master craftsmen, often in collaboration with independent designers. This approach results in highly limited-edition collections where no two pieces are exactly alike.\n\nRE;CODE’s designs are characterized by their deconstructed and often avant-garde style, turning conventional items like suit jackets into skirts or patching together disparate materials to create modern, urban silhouettes. Beyond its environmental mission, the brand is committed to social responsibility, creating employment opportunities for socially disadvantaged groups, including North Korean defectors and individuals with disabilities. The brand gained significant international visibility after designing sustainable suits for the K-pop group BTS for their appearance at the United Nations in 2021, cementing its status as a leader in conscious, high-concept fashion.