Laura Zabo
When I first saw one of Laura Zabo’s necklaces grace my Instagram feed, I couldn’t help but go to her shop to learn more. It was a beautiful piece with long, fiery-hued attachés that could easily take any outfit from subdued to expressive. I immediately wanted to learn more. To my surprise, the necklace was not made of traditional materials such as metals or gold, no. It was created using recycled tires. I was eager to learn more about how she created this beautiful piece and why tires are her textile of choice.
Obviously, the big question is: why tires? What was your inspiration to reuse this unexpected textile to create something beautiful?
Since I was a little child, I always felt bad when I saw tires thrown out in nature. It happens so often. You walk somewhere by the river or the sea and you just see tires. For me, it was always so upsetting that someone would make an effort to throw the tires out in nature instead of recycling them. When I moved to Africa, I found that people recycled everything. I came across some brightly colored sandals made out of tires and somehow it just made sense to me. It was a solution and I’m very creative. I really like solving problems and coming up with new ideas. So, I decided to design something here in Europe because we have so many tires and it’s really a huge problem. At the same time, they are producing so many useless things that could be made from recycled materials. I really like the challenge. It’s what inspires me.
I think the fact that you had that moment of realization at such an early age is super inspiring. Going back to your creative inspiration, what are some of your favorite colors and patterns to use? How do you feel incorporating these bright colors and patterns helps bring new life to your designs?
I think adding color to my items is important because otherwise, everything would be plain and boring. I started trying different materials because painting rubber is really not easy. It’s so smooth and the paint can come off. After years of practice, I came up with new techniques and I still try to improve. Sometimes some tires react differently, so it can still be a challenge, but I think it gives a completely unique style to my items. Every time I craft something new, I’m in love. I just love crafting so much and I can easily stay in that mood for twelve hours. I don’t even have many other hobbies because my work is my hobby. Yes, I love dancing and being outside, but if I have to work fifteen hours a day, it’s not hard for me because I really love the process. Lately, I’ve used a lot of metal paints, which I really like because the little pieces just become like tiny metal plates, and sometimes people can’t even believe they’re made of rubber. The metal paint is so strong and different, so I really have to show them that it’s recycled rubber. Every time I make something new, I’m completely in love with the latest piece.
That’s how you know you’re doing the right thing! You’re so passionate about it that you fall in love with every little thing you work on. Are there any creative risks you’d like to take or collaborations you’d like to work on in the future?
“It was a solution and I’m very creative.”
There is a huge demand for these designs now and sometimes I can’t cope with the demand. So, I decided that I want to start teaching my skills. I’d love to see tire upcycling become as popular as, for example, soap and candle making. Everywhere you go, you will find a soap or candle maker and I am hoping this will become something similar. It’s a nice material to work with, and we have to recycle the tires that we produce. It’s ridiculous how many bicycle tires are thrown away and how many people buy jewelry from the high street [cheaply made, mass-produced jewelry]. So, I just hope I can create a community with more people recycling these materials because I want to see this at every market. There is a bicycle shop here in London close to me. They don’t have to send bicycle tires to recycling anymore because I use everything. This industry can grow. I’ve already proven these items are fashionable. They’ve been featured in fashion magazines, business magazines, and vegan magazines. So, I think the next step is to grow and bring more people into this. The world is going in a ridiculous direction. Living costs are increasing. With upcycling, people can create a new income and a new lifestyle. Once you start upcycling, your life will change in many ways. You won’t buy as many things because you can craft and create your own. You won’t just go on the high street buying something because you’ve learned to make it. I just really hope to bring this skill to people and I hope this industry will quickly grow.
Yes, it’s so important. I love that you mentioned your local bike shop doesn’t have to worry about getting rid of anything anymore because you’re able to use all of it. You brought up another great point with high street jewelry, which is that it’s available at a very low price point. Obviously, that’s what brings people in. For your pieces, they look incredibly high-end and luxurious, but you still sell them at quite an affordable price point. So, I think that’s another one of the amazing things about what you’re doing. It’s very accessible but it does have a couture look and feel, which is incredible.
From the beginning, I always wanted to keep my pricing accessible to anyone because this is my way to support sustainability. If I have very high prices, people won’t buy. How can I say that I’m an “upcycler” if I don’t upcycle? For me, to upcycle means to speak about quantities. This is what I’m proud of. Every month probably 200 – 400 bicycle tires are recycled. If I think about the past seven years, you are talking about thousands. This is what makes me very happy; I’m creating an impact with this. The other thing is that I come from a very poor family. I know how it is to want something that you can’t afford. I started to create items that are cheaper, around $10. Maybe they’re a bit simpler, but I have pricier items, too. I have options for everyone.
Who are some of your artistic influences?
I adore everyone who follows their own path and stands out. I think, even with music or anything, I never just follow one person. I am super curious and I like to learn something from everyone. I think everyone has a skill. Many people don’t pay attention or try to find it. I am inspired by everyone and people who want to make a difference for the planet as well as people who follow their own path.
That’s so true. There’s so much inspiration to be found from anyone who’s carving their own path, no matter what that looks like or what specific industry it’s in. When you’re working on a project and you run into creative blocks, what are some of the things you do to overcome that and get the creativity flowing again?
I think that lately, what I’ve changed is that I’ve been listening to audiobooks nonstop. I think maybe my biggest inspirations are spiritual leaders that inspire you to find your soul and your purpose in life. This is what I try to find for myself to understand my strength, goals, and inspirations. I was really reflecting a lot on myself. So, whatever happens in my life – questions, troubles, or obstacles – I just try to find another book. This is what moves me forward in life and helps me to overcome any issues or fears. I just really try to learn and understand my gut feelings and my heart and to live fully.
That’s always the best way to find your own inner peace and harness it; just focusing on what’s going to bring you joy and knowing who you are. I have one final question for you before we go. What are some changes you expect to see in the fashion industry over the next 5-10 years? Especially considering designers like yourself who are coming up with these really innovative and beautiful designs.
I really hope that people will change. I think people have to change and see that mass-produced items are not valuable. Regardless of brand or anything, they’re all just made by machines. Maybe they’re fun for a day, but they don’t add any value. People have to choose well and purchase items that are unique, items that are well-made, mean something and have a story. I really hope people understand that handmade items are so much better. Rather than supporting these mass-produced brands that are so harmful to the environment, it’s better to support brands that are making smaller quantities with care. I think we need to change.