Reclaimed Remade Reborn

I caught up with iServalan at Blink Friction HQ to find out about the new collection of reclaimed art and fashion. In a world dominated by fast fashion, where mass production often drowns individuality, iServalan is carving out a bold and rebellious path. An artist, musician, and designer, iServalan is teaming up with Blink Friction on a groundbreaking, edgy upcycled clothing collection. Their mission? To create one-of-a-kind wearable art while championing sustainability, supporting musicians, and challenging conventional fashion norms. I sat down with iServalan to discuss their creative process, inspiration, and vision for the future of upcycled fashion. iServalan, your work sits at the intersection of fashion, art, and music. What inspired you to take this direction? I've always been drawn to uniqueness—whether in music, fashion, or visual art. As a musician, I know how crucial it is to have clothing that works on stage but also feels authentic on the street. I’m inspired by what I find; the material itself dictates what I create. Every piece is an experiment, a transformation. I ask: What can stay? Is it durable? What can I do with this fabric? That process is what keeps me engaged. At the same time, I’m driven by the idea of egalitarianism. On the street, people should be equal while still expressing themselves. My pieces embrace that philosophy—raw, rebellious, but also functional and inclusive. A massive drive for me was the idea that clothes should get better with wear. We all love an old pair of Levis, or an old leather jacket. Why shouldn't clothes improve with age, with wearing, and with laundering? How was I going to achieve that goal? Well, hand stitching that shows or becomes the point, repairs that are a central part of the design, and a distressed colour pallet are just a few of the things I decided to embrace. Your collaboration with Blink Friction is gaining attention. Can you tell us more about it? Absolutely. Blink Friction is the perfect platform for my upcycled clothing because they share my passion for sustainability and individuality. Every item I make is exclusive to them. We don’t do mass production; instead, we focus on meticulously crafted, unique designs that blend punk, hip-hop, glam rock, and utilitarian aesthetics. And it’s more than just fashion—10% of our proceeds go to the Help Musicians charity and towards sponsoring other music projects. We want to reinvest in the creative community and give back to the artists who inspire us. Let’s talk about the process. How do you transform discarded materials into statement fashion? It’s labour-intensive, but I love it. I work with a mix of hand and machine stitching because some things just can’t be done on a machine. I hand-dye, bleach, and paint every piece myself. Some take weeks to make, others come together in a few days. I often have multiple projects running at once, waiting for the right find to complete them. Washing and sanitizing are also a huge part of the process—people don’t always realize how time-consuming that step is. I even work with discarded fast fashion pieces that are now showing up increasingly in recycling centres. Some of that material is very tricky to work with, but I don’t turn it away. If I can reinvent it, why let it go to waste? It is possible to make circular fashion out of fast fashion but you have to be prepared to embrace some of its advantages. Your designs are edgy, but they also feel deeply personal. Do you see them as wearable art? 100%. Every piece is an investment, a work of art with a story. They’re not just clothes; they’re statements. They challenge wastefulness, celebrate individuality, and push against the idea that fashion has to be disposable. I’m hoping to connect with retailers who share this ethos—boutiques or concept stores that appreciate upcycled fashion as more than just a trend. And, of course, I want to reach people worldwide who see the value in owning something no one else has. What’s next for you and Blink Friction? More innovation, more collaborations, and hopefully, expanding the reach of upcycled fashion. I want to continue exploring what’s possible with reclaimed materials and push the boundaries of what sustainable fashion can be. And of course, keep supporting musicians in the process. Final question—what’s the one thing that ties all your pieces together? Obviously, the hand-drawn logo is on every item, sometimes small, sometimes an allover pattern. The eye means a lot to me as an artist. Modern citizens are drowning in this high-octane trajectory driven by technology and capitalism. I want everyone to calm down and look around at how great nature is, life, art, music, everything. But apart from the eye, the drive to make something real and honest, with compassion, is central to the whole Blink Friction project. I want to make something raw, expressive, and built to last. Every stitch, every dye, every patch has a purpose. That’s what makes each piece special. As the world slowly wakes up to the importance of sustainability, artists like iServalan are leading the charge—not just with words, but with action. Their work with Blink Friction is more than just fashion; it’s a movement, a rebellion against waste, and a celebration of individuality. If you’re looking for clothing that tells a story, stands out, and supports a greater cause, keep an eye on iServalan’s evolving collection. Because in the end, fashion should be more than just something you wear—it should be something you believe in. Follow iServalan & Blink Friction https://www.iservalan.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@taletellerclub