The average design house takes-in and disposes thousands of swatch cards per year.  In 2008 Elizabeth Brunner (founder of Piece x Piece) had the genius idea of using these materials to create one-of-a-kind garments…from garbage to gorgeous!

If you’re imagining your grandma’s quilt, think again! Her designs are stylish and timeless.  None of her pieces are trendy, so you can virtually wear them all year long.

Considering the U.S. textile industry is the 5th largest contributor to CO2 emissions in the United States (according to the U.S. Energy Administration), we need to spread her work around and hope others will be inspired to follow her lead!

Pictured are some of my favorite one-of-a-kind looks! Garment prices begin at $176 and all are produced ethically with a high regard to quality.  Piece x Piece is part of the slow fashion movement which emphasizes the importance of buying high quality pieces that will last, resulting in less waste.

You can find these amazing pieces at the San Francisco store Wear Something Rare located at 440 Brannan in the SOMA district.

Photographs courtesy of Michelle Biloux.