More than just a figure of striking beauty and impeccable style, Gabriella Smith embodies a visionary force. As the brilliant mind behind the Upcycle Project, this South Florida-based mother and wife is diligently working to safeguard our planet, one bag of recycled clothing at a time.
BY ERIN MICHELLE NEWBERG
Let’s be unequivocal: sustainability is no fleeting trend; it is a profound movement. To remain disengaged, dear reader, is to overlook the very trajectory of fashion’s future. This pivotal shift finds its vibrant embodiment in the Upcycle Project—the audacious and brilliant creation of Gabriella Smith, the Fort Lauderdale luminary whose influence extends far beyond mere conversation, notably through her compelling TED Talk on dismantling fast fashion. And yes, we are captivated.”
Way more than a recycling project, Upcycle isn’t just about the bags. It’s a full-blown, multi-layered educational movement. Through stylish, hands-on workshops, school programs, and design challenges, Gabriella is inspiring the next generation to ditch disposability and lean into creativity. She’s showing young people how to take yesterday’s scraps and turn them into tomorrow’s statements.
Gabriella is that rare combo: fashion-forward and purpose-fueled. Think Carrie Bradshaw with a conscience. And what she’s created with the Upcycle Project is nothing short of revolutionary. Forget tossing your old clothes into a donation bin and hoping for the best. Gabriella wants you to rethink waste—and then do something fabulous with it.
The star of the show? The Up Bag Program. It’s sleek, smart, and solves a very real problem: what to do with school uniforms, corporate apparel, and all those once-loved (now faded) textiles. Rather than letting them pile up in landfills, Gabriella’s team gives them a second life, hence students, businesses, and entire communities alike jumping on the bandwagon.
Thus far, Upcycle Project has already teamed up with fashion schools, nonprofits, global brands, and municipalities to spread its mission. And now? It’s coming for your closet and your conscience in the best way possible.
So, if you’ve ever felt torn between your love for fashion and your desire to be a better human (we’ve all been there), consider this your sign. Upcycle Project isn’t just a brand. It’s a real-life revolution in the lifestyle space, a lesson, and a love letter to the planet.
Ready to make a change? Gabriella and her team are handing you the (upcycled) keys while keeping the process as simple as possible. Just order the bag for twenty dollars online, and a recycled bag arrives at your door with a prepaid shipping label. Your only job is to fill it to the brim and send it off via USPS, and voilà—you’re now part of a movement that will do you and our planet good.
upcycleproject.com
