A Chat with Nicole McLaughlin: The Internet’s Favorite Inventor
If you’ve been on the internet at any point ever, chances are you’ve come across one of Nicole McLaughlin’s sensationally viral creations. Whether it’s a pair of high heels that double as a pizza slice, a Lego thong, pants made out of Chipotle napkins or a Carhartt WIP beanie made out of bread, or a bread advent calendar, or even a bread oven glove, that’s all Nicole. Combining fun, with upcycling and function, Nicole has set the internet ablaze with an upcycling frenzy that is encouraging us all to rework single-use products into pieces that can do more and last longer.
Linking up with Vans for the first time, Nicole McLaughlin’s ‘Gardening Tote’ collection comes to life on the Slip-On VR3 LX with select recycled materials throughout. To mark the release we got to ask the celebrated inventor a couple of questions about how she designs in the studio and the inspiration behind her latest collection.
You spend much of your time in the outdoors – did that appreciation for nature draw you to upcycling?
My love of the outdoors has been with me since childhood. It made me aware of the environment, but it wasn’t what drew me to upcycling. That happened while I was working at a sportswear brand and wanted to explore my creativity further through making. But my limited budget and resources meant I needed to become more mindful, creative, and open to materials I could use, like samples, used goods, and waste. And the more I used it, the more it became clear that there was no need for new, and I’ve continued on this path.
What does your design process look like? Do you sketch it out or just do it on the fly?
I rely on working with the materials directly rather than sketching. I’m not a trained designer, so there’s no straightforward process that I follow. It’s about what the material organically dictates and the vision I want to bring to life.
Have you had any awesome ideas that for whatever reason just won't work that you can tell us about?
Many ideas when I started didn't work out as I had planned, but my understanding grew as I continued to make. Through constant trial and error, I found various paths forward and discovered new techniques. It just took patience and a bit of stubbornness. Ha.
Your latest collaboration is with Vans, are they a brand you wore a lot growing up or how did that relationship come about?
I wore Vans growing up and even applied as a graphic designer several years ago, but I didn't get the job. But five years later, we're here! The Vans team reached out about reworking some leftover samples, and one thing led to another, and now we're launching our first collab together.
Credit: Nicole McLaughlin
Credit: Nicole McLaughlin
The collection is called 'Gardening Tote', are you a green-thumbed gardener yourself?
I live in an apartment and don't have a yard, but I am a very aspirational gardener. My mom used to have a garden when I was a kid, and I'd steal green tomatoes and sell them for money to buy candy, so my love of gardening may come from her.
You've shown upcycling can not only be great for the environment but also fun – do you have any advice for newcomers looking to try upcycling at home?
Don't be afraid to try, and don't think you need all the skills to start. I didn't even know how to sew when I started. That came from constantly learning through making and teaching myself. I know it sounds cliche, but if I can do it, so can you.
