FAQ
FAQ
Part 1
For Visitors & Buyers
How to find, connect with, and support upcycling designers through the Atlas.
What is the Upcycling Atlas?
The Upcycling Atlas is a global directory and living map of upcycling designers, textile re-makers, and circular-fashion studios. You can search by name, location, materials, or techniques to find makers who turn waste into wearable art.
How do I find a designer near me?
Head to our Directory page. Use the search bar, filter by country or city, or browse the interactive map to discover studios and makers in your area.
Can I buy directly through the Atlas?
The Atlas is a discovery platform. Each listing includes direct links to the designer's or reuse business's website, Instagram, email — so you can reach out directly.
Are all the designers verified?
Every listing is reviewed by our team before it goes live. We check portfolio links, materials, and techniques to ensure authenticity. New submissions enter a review queue and appear once approved.
What materials and techniques can I search by?
We tag every listing with the materials they work with (denim, post-consumer textiles, deadstock, leather offcuts, and more) and the techniques they use (patchwork, zero-waste pattern cutting, natural dyeing, visible mending). Use the filters on the Directory page to narrow your search.
How can you support an upcycling designer, re-maker or reuse business?
The best way is to buy directly from them! Share their work on social media, recommend them to friends, and if you're a business or industry looking for a partnership, consider commissioning a custom work or a collaboration. Many designers and re-makers also run workshops so check the Events page.
Part 2
For Designers & Re-Makers
Designers
How It Works: Add Your Profile to the Upcycling Atlas
The Upcycling Atlas is a global, community‑built directory of upcycling designers, re‑makers, studios and small brands working primarily with textile waste.
Adding your profile helps you become visible to consumers, collaborators, educators, researchers and organisations seeking reuse capacity worldwide.
Eligibility
Who Can Join?
You can add a profile if your primary practice involves upcycling or re‑making with discarded or surplus textiles. This includes:
- Independent designers and re‑makers
- Small production studios and upcycling brands
- Repair and visible mending specialists
- Re‑manufacturers and reuse businesses
- Textile artists working with waste streams
- Accessory, home textiles designers, material and product designers using upcycled materials
Organisations that are looking to collaborate or support this work (universities, collectives, marketplaces, brands, institutions, agencies, etc) can contact us via the Partners section. Those interested in forming a regional Chapter or network may also submit their interest in the Partners section.
What happens next
What Happens After You Join?
Once your profile is live, you’ll be:
- Discoverable by city, country, materials and techniques
- Visible to consumers looking for local upcycling designers and repair services
- Findable by educators, researchers and organisations seeking practitioners for projects, workshops and policy work
- Part of a growing global map of upcycling capacity and knowledge
You may also be invited to:
- Participate in interviews, stories or podcast episodes
- Join city chapters, workshops and collaborative projects
- Be considered for partner opportunities and brand collaborations
Common questions
Common Questions
Is listing free?
Yes — basic listings are free forever. Free listings include 1 image and appear in search, filters and the map. Paid options (Featured, Pro Memberships, etc. coming soon) are optional and focus on expanded visibility and additional access to support and resources.
How long does review take?
Standard review takes 5–7 business days.
What if I change my location, materials or links?
Free users can request edits from their profile; changes go through moderation. Featured and Pro members will get instant or light-touch updates.
Do featured listings guarantee sales or commissions?
No. Featured and Pro improve visibility and trust signals, but outcomes depend on your work, services, pricing, storytelling and outreach.
Can organisations, educators or researchers be listed?
Yes — use the Partners / Chapters form. That is separate from maker profiles and is for organisations supporting upcycling and textile reuse.
How are images and content licensed?
You retain ownership of your images and content. By submitting, you grant the Upcycling Atlas a non-exclusive right to display them in the directory and in promotional posts about the directory.
What about privacy and contact details?
You choose what to share. To be featured on the living global map it is important to include your address, city, country, materials, type of business, methods/techniques used (where applicable) for people to contact you (ie/ phone/mobile, website, social media, etc.)
How do payments and cancellations work?
Featured and Pro subscriptions will be billed monthly or yearly. You can cancel anytime; there are no refunds for partial months. Downgrades take effect at the next billing cycle. Digital products (e.g., guidebooks, toolkits) are non‑refundable once access or download begins. For full details, see the Refund Policy and Terms of Service.
Support
Need Help?
If you have questions contact us at upcyclingatlas@gmail.com