Yen had always been interested in fashion but had become disillusioned with what she saw on the high street. Copious chain stores offering fast fashion and a throwaway culture to match. She longed for a high street which shared her passion for individuality, quality and sustainability.
By chance, Yen came across a designer whilst travelling in South East Asia, whose mission was to create ethical bags and accessories using repurposed and recycled materials. What made these products so special to Yen was the imaginative way in which the materials had been reinvented and the positive impact that their creation was having on the local community. Excited by their creativity, her passion was rekindled.
Scouring the globe looking for designers, each with their own mission and creative story, Yen made it her aim to share their brilliant products; showcasing the quality of their craftsmanship and the individuality of their designs. She would create a platform to tell their stories and support their visions. She would show the world what can be achieved with reclaimed and repurposed materials. This is why Paguro was born. Read more about Yen's interview with UNREAL Rockstars.
Our Vision
Our vision is to bring together a collection of the world’s finest upcycled products, focusing on quality craftsmanship and contemporary design. We collaborate with producers and designers who share our desire to create positive social and environmental change. By telling the stories behind their creativity, we aim to pass on the same sense of excitement that we feel when finding a new designer and experiencing their brilliant products for the first time.
Why Paguro?
We see the hermit crab as something of an inspiration, which is why we chose its latin name for our site. A paguro takes an empty shell and carries it for protection. It uses a natural product and puts it to good use. In many ways, the paguro is nature’s own upcycler.
But the inspiration doesn’t end there. The relationship between crab and shell is mutually beneficial and it is this kind of symbiotic relationship that we are seeking to build with our designers.
Our Products
From inner tube wallets to army tent wash bags, our products incorporate a wide range of reclaimed, recycled and repurposed materials. However, there are certain characteristics that all of our products share:
Materials – Not only does the use of reclaimed materials have environmental benefits, we have found that our designers thrive on the challenge of using such difficult materials in desirable and elegant ways. The end results are unique and imaginative designs.
Creativity – We see greater possibilities in reclaimed materials. We seek textural materials to make our products tactile. We look for vibrant colours to make our creations eye-catching. We seek durable materials to ensure that our products have longevity.
Quality – When it comes to production, the challenge of the materials and the intricacy of the designs demands a high level of skill. We always use talented artisans who take the time and effort needed to ensure that every product is finished to the highest standards.
Environment – We work alongside designers and artisans who aim to follow fair trade principles in their manufacturing, who are conscious of the environmental impact and who attempt of bring positive influences to the communities in which they work.