Custom Upcycled Ties to Denim Jeans

Here is my very first pair of SKUNT jeans crafted from upcycled men’s ties! I’ve seen this concept executed in various forms – from handcrafted tops to tailored skirts – and I’ve been itching to translate that vision into custom denim jeans. Up until now, my focus had been occupied by other original designs like my hand-bleached paneling. So I had yet to have the drive to start a project using men’s ties. However, when my incredibly stylish friend Zoom requested a custom piece with the ultimate green light – “do whatever you want, I trust your judgment” – I instinctively knew this was the moment to bring the necktie motif to life. It would be perfect for him, I was SO excited.

Briar from SKUNT and friend Zoom on a Melbourne trip wearing streetwear and custom fashion

Zoom and I in Melbourne the year before on our “girls trip”:

My hunt for materials began while I was visiting home in Queensland, which was where zoom had asked me for a custom pair during a friends board games night. I dedicated my pre-planned thrifting excursions with friends to curating a vibrant collection of vintage/second hand ties featuring patterns that felt undeniably “Zoomish” – bold, electric, funky, and obviously fashion-forward. Sourcing second-hand garments is at the core of my sustainable design values, and I couldn’t wait to transform these forgotten accessories into new jeans for Zoom.

Zoom wearing a pair of my CAMO CARGO jeans that have since sold at the Fashion Thrift Society markets:

Cool portraits from zoom’s Instagram account that he took of himself in his funky outfits.

When Zoom mentioned he was visiting Victoria two weeks later to support the band Blind Corners, I set a strict deadline to complete the pair in time for his arrival.

Knowing his affinity for dramatic flare silhouettes, I selected a base pant tailored to his measurements and engineered striking side panels to achieve a relaxed & loose yet still prominent flare shape. Constructing the paneling required painstaking precision; because each silk tie possessed varying widths, I fashioned distinct yet differing layouts for each leg.

I then meticulously pinned every tie to secure the layout, and pin-stitched them all into place. I was surprised at how heavy the panels were once sewn, the ties although separately are light – actually made a solid weight difference to the panels.

I sewed the surprisingly weighted panels directly into the open denim seams. The weight of the layered textiles initially raised concerns about the structural drape, but it ultimately worked in my favor – imparting a crisp, defined structure that made the vibrant design feature pop. To complete the piece, I stitched in the signature SKUNT internal label and applied the SKUNT logo in a pearlescent gold fabric paint on the outer leg to complement the luminous luster of the silk ties.

Seeing Zoom wear his custom upcycled denim throughout the entire weekend -and watching his friends immediately recognize his signature style in the design – was pure validation.

I was sure he’d love them of course, I had asked mutual friends who agreed it was a fabulous idea for him. Yet I still get nervous when it’s time to hand over a custom piece, especially to a friend. AND especially because he had no idea of the design he would receive. They fit perfectly and captured his vibe so well.