Kingly is getting kudos for its denim upcycling project.

The apparel and accessories supplier with operations in the United Kingdom, Bulgaria and New York City received third prize in the “ecology” category for the Socially Responsible Strategic Management Award, organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in Bulgaria. The project, selected from a pool of 50 contenders, impressed judges with its commitment to sustainability and environmental projection.

Kingly’s upcycled denim collection includes aprons, bags, hats, earrings, tablecloths and other products. Made from discarded denim, the items can be treated with Polygiene, a technology that helps clothing stay fresh and odor-free so it doesn’t have to be laundered as frequently.

Kingly has received accolades for its upcycled denim project, which turns vintage jeans into brandable goods, like this bag. (courtesy of Kingly)

The upcycled denim products can be branded with embroidery or direct-to-garment printing with GOTS-certified sustainable inks, according to Kingly’s website.

The primary material used in the collection is discarded or vintage fabric, sourced from “old jeans, jackets and other denim garments that would otherwise go to waste,” Kingly notes. Straps, buckles, handles and elements made from other materials might also be included. “Each item tells a story of transformation, turning discarded denim into functional and eco-friendly treasures,” according to the supplier.

This isn’t the first upcycling project Kingly has developed. Back in 2022, the supplier launched an initiative to gather small, offcut fibers that fall to the factory floor during the manufacture of socks and then turn them into stuffing for printed pillowcases and furniture.

“The mission is to inspire and educate people on upcycling and repurposed design and how to do it on a larger scale,” Kingly CEO Rob Armour said at the time.

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