Trash to treasure
UPCYCLING is one of the trends that began to reemerge alongside the rise of sustainable initiatives worldwide. Unlike recycling, which is defined as the usage of scraps like plastic and paper to create a new product, upcycling is widely understood as a form of creative reuse of items or materials that are otherwise ready to be discarded.
This is exactly what 25-year- old graduate student Leeann Lorilla envisioned when she decided to create Axel & Roark, a brand that she chooses to describe as one that “celebrates salvage and reclaim with upcycled home accents and furniture pieces.”
“Axel & Roark is grounded on quality, beauty, and sustainability. We make upcycled products with greater value than its previous state because of its beauty and environmental value. We regard clients as users and creators of their environment. By being conscious and responsible consumers, our clients positively influence their environment, which ultimately leads to better health and well-being,” Ms. Lorilla told BusinessWorld in an e-mail.
Coming from a family that runs a furniture and upholstery business, she said she has witnessed several times the transition of old and worn- out pieces to beautiful and functional ones, but it was only this year that she decided to get involved and create an offshoot brand from it.
“As I was looking for a creative break from my studies, I discovered that we have different sorts of furniture pieces in storage. I thought to myself, what a waste because I knew how beautiful they can be once restored. I let myself get settled on the idea of turning the pieces into beauty and function. So I gave it a lot of thought, did my research and consulted family and friends. In the end, I decided to engage in this restoration endeavor with the hope of influencing not just my immediate environment but also the world at large,” she said.
Axel & Roark was thus formally established last April, but sales and marketing started only in July. The overall goal, according to her, is to encourage conscious furniture consumerism that will lead to a positive environmental impact.
“We make upcycled products with greater value than its previous state because of its beauty and environmental value. We regard clients as users and creators of their environment. By being conscious and responsible consumers, our clients positively influence their environment, which ultimately leads to better health and well-being.”
“We have been blessed with a beautiful world and as stewards of this creation; I want Axel & Roark to be at the forefront of celebrating our chance to heal and love the world we live in,” Ms. Lorilla added.
For her, it’s a challenge to handle all operations effectively, but she said she is able to manage with the support and encouragement of her family and friends. The best thing about being at the helm of this enterprise, she said, is having the opportunity to rediscover the beauty of something unused, neglected or worn out.
“It’s always an inspiration to witness the transformation,” she said. “There’s also a rush of excitement when it’s time to share the restored furniture piece with the consumers. But ultimately, I like that I am able to do something with what I have been given. My personal mantra is, ‘ To whom much is given, much is required.’”
Ms. Lorilla said the brand’s next immediate step to engage in various collaborations to develop a bigger collection of upcycled furniture pieces and home décor, but in the long run, she wants Axel & Roark to inspire consumers to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.