THESE CREATORS BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO HERITAGE DESIGNS FROM COUTURE BRANDS.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VINTAGE LUXE UP
Based out of a family-owned atelier in Lexington, Ky., Vintage Luxe Up curates a collection of one-of-a-kind art pillows reimagined from vintage Hermès and Gucci silk scarves, preserving the beauty of these timeless accessories. This sustainable luxury lifestyle brand, which initially launched to make masks out of designer textiles during the pandemic, is committed to reducing waste and conserving Earth’s scarce resources while also providing jobs locally. Marcus Aspen, 501 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen; vintageluxeup.com
PHOTO BY STUDIO 616 PHOTOGRAPHY
Lisa Peterson and Susan Stafford, co-owners of Vintage to Vogue, restore vintage designer buttons from Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton and use them to handcraft one-of-a-kind necklaces and earrings. Peterson grew up following her parents, who were passionate antiquers, to flea markets, auctions and antique shops across the Midwest. Stafford was inspired by her grandmother’s ability to transform wornout furniture into coveted pieces. “Unique characteristics, whether it’s chipped paint, rust or patina, make every antique item a storyteller,” Peterson says. “As designers, all we have to do is listen.” Society, 126 E. Colorado Ave., #A, Telluride; vintagetovoguedesigns.com
PHOTO BY BRANDON AGUILAR
When Kay Layne posted a Louis Vuitton Saint Cloud MM shoulder bag that she had retrofitted with leather fringe on Instagram, a fashion designer reached out to buy it. Word got out. Layne launched Leather and Vodka in 2015, and today a small band of artisans in Austin, Texas, reimagine authentic Louis Vuitton bags, replacing straps with belts and adding leather fringes, turquoise embellishments and braided details. The goal is to make an already luxurious bag unique and custom. “We create art that reflects the beauty of the owner by enhancing the bags into one-of-a-kind pieces of art,” Layne says. Kemo Sabe, 217 S. Galena St., Aspen; leatherandvodka.com
PHOTO BY NIKKI EDMUNDSON
At her family cattle ranch in Harrison, Mont., Nikki Edmundson of Canty Boots disassembles and redesigns well-loved cowboy boots from brands like Old Gringo, Tony Lama and Lucchese, transforming them into pretty ankle boots. She cuts off the boot’s upper shaft, flips it down and rivets the boot into the new low-cut silhouette. Edmundson applies prints and patterns using materials like authentic Pendleton blankets and designer leather, often enhancing the look with belts and braids. No one pair is ever duplicated. Kemo Sabe, 227 Bridge St., Vail; cantyboots.com
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