WHO IS KORN?
Kornelija (Korn-eel-eeyuh), a.k.a "Korn," is a clothing designer who creates unique, one-of-one pieces by upcycling secondhand garments. Her mission is to shift consumer behavior in a world where everything feels disposable, encouraging people to buy less and cherish more.
Her brand, KORN, de-influences people from buying new. Instead, she shares tutorials, educational videos, and inspiration on how to bring new life to the clothes you already own.
As someone who was always thinking about how to be resourceful and sustainable, her first upcycling business was turning microplastic waste she collected on the beaches of Oahu into colorful jewelry. It’s not waste until it’s wasted… ;)
In 2022, she studied abroad in Chile. That’s when she learned Chile is one of the largest importers of used clothing, essentially the first world’s landfill. The fashion industry is far more wasteful than most of us realize. It emits more carbon than the shipping and aviation industries combined.
And the waste? There’s an entire desert in Chile filled with discarded clothing that never sold, and in many cases, brand new clothing that was never even worn. The pile is so massive you can see it from space. Yeah… it’s a huge problem.
Photo: Jam Press/SkyFi
Since her experience in Chile, Korn knew the solution wasn’t to keep producing more clothes. The most sustainable option is using what we already have - all it takes is shifting our mindset.
She began experimenting with clothes and slowly building her brand during her time at UC Berkeley, continuing to believe in her vision through graduating and into what it has become today.
SHOP KORN CREATED
Sew-On Patches
Sew-On Patches
Wearable Art
Wearable Art
Art Prints
Art Prints
Do it yourself !
Do it yourself !