A new collaboration between iRi NYC and the Korea-based social impact brand New Year Market has resulted in the launch of upcycled key charms designed by seniors. These handmade charms, which can also serve as decorative shoe accessories, will be available starting Wednesday.
The partnership reflects iRi NYC’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. By collaborating with organizations that share similar values, iRi NYC transforms leftover materials into meaningful products. In 2022, the brand worked with the woman-owned upcycling business Cueclyp to create coasters from surplus neoprene fabric. This year, they have shifted their focus to footwear accessories.
New Year Market is dedicated to creating safe job opportunities for seniors who may live alone or rely on collecting recyclables. This initiative enables seniors to take on the role of designers, collaborating with younger team members to bring their creative visions to life. The key charms are handcrafted by both the senior team at New Year Market and the iRi NYC team, showcasing a blend of experience and youthful energy.
The charms are priced between $20 and $30, and are made from upcycled materials sourced from both brands. These include scraps of knit fabric from sock production, shoelaces, and small leather pieces from shoe manufacturing. This latest project is part of a broader relaunch for iRi NYC, which began in 2017, focusing on more environmentally conscious production and distribution methods.
The shift to sustainable practices has been significant for iRi NYC. As the company transitioned its production to Korea, it discovered a wealth of accessible sustainable materials that were cost-effective. The founder stated, “When we first launched, none of our products had anything to do with sustainable materials. But thankfully, once we moved our production to Korea, I was shocked that they have a lot of availability with sustainable footwear materials… So moving the whole production site helped a lot to finally incorporate more sustainable materials into our designs.”
This collaboration not only highlights the potential of upcycled materials but also embodies the spirit of community and creativity. The key charms represent a fusion of craftsmanship and social impact, allowing consumers to support a project that empowers seniors while also promoting environmental sustainability.
