RECREATE DESIGNS | UPCYCLING SINCE 2005

Who We Are

After years of making unique gifts for friends & family, founder Carol Lynn Lapotka began producing one-of-a-kind creations for local art fairs in Wisconsin in 2005. REcreate Designs thrived and became a full-time venture after moving to Missoula, Montana. We were the first to bring the comfy and ever-popular “tee skirts” made from upcycled t-shirts to Montana’s local markets and area retailers. Visit our production and retail space in downtown Polson, MT, where you can watch us at work and shop a large selection of our goods upfront in the handMADE Montana Retail & Production House.

What We Do

Since 2005, we have designed and manufactured one-of-a-kind goods from upcycled materials. Upcycling transforms discarded materials into products of higher quality or value than the original. Our raw materials are purchased at secondhand outlets (deconstructed clothes) or from deadstock distributors, and then repurposed into new products. We divert an estimated 3000+ lbs of waste from landfills each year. By eliminating the need to produce new and raw materials, upcycling helps conserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse emissions. REcreate Designs: seeing things not as they are but for what they could become since 2005.

This year we had the amazing opportunity to visit some awesome deadstock warehouses in Minneapolis, MN and Los Angeles, CA. Our ability to buy in the bulk of our raw material allows us to introduce colorways across sizing for the first time. In addition to one-of-a-kind garments, we will have limited runs of colorways in our adult and children’s clothing lines. The quality of clothing in secondhand shops continues to deteriorate due to fast fashion, and we are excited to source deadstock in our commitment to salvaging material while preserving the quality and longevity of our garments. Soon each product will come with its serial no. to track how much material we reclaim and divert from the landfill each year.

HERITAGE | WOOL

Wool is one of our favorite materials to work with because of its insulation, natural wicking, and richness of color. We use sweaters, woven wools (suitcoats, shirts, skirts), and deadstock fabrics. Our Heritage Collection transforms generations of wool into new products that tell a story and are one-of-a-kind, just like you.

INDIGO | DENIM

Thrift stores are inundated with denim donations and often dump the excess in landfills. To help mitigate this, we launched our Indigo Collection, which deconstructs and repurposes discarded jeans into durable and elegant zippered bags and purses.

JERSEY | COTTON JERSEY

When we first launched our line of upcycled goods, we exclusively used shirts made from jersey cotton material. The stretch in the fabric is excellent for both kiddo and adult styles. In addition to sourcing materials from deconstructed garments, we are shifting to purchasing deadstock to offer size runs and multiples in the same colorway.

Made In Montana

REcreate Designs is a small business with big dreams

We are proud to be 100% made in Montana by people who care. We employ local folks and purchase a majority of our raw materials from area thrift and second-hand stores. We give back to the community whenever possible.

Where The Magic Happens

Once a one-person operation housed in an apartment basement, REcreate Designs has expanded into a larger production space and store front in downtown Polson, MT. We use industrial machinery and equipment to create a consistent and well-constructed product. We select, sort, and stow all of our materials within the studio and maintain a tidy workspace, most of the time.

1% for the Planet connects businesses, consumers, and nonprofits, empowering all of us to drive big, positive change. Members donate at least 1% of sales to nonprofit partners they vetted for participation in the 1% for the Planet network.

1% of our annual sales will support non-profit organizations focused on sustainability. We are excited to be giving back a little to help local organizations focused on environmental issues and our community.

Vee Zip

The ZIP collection is manufactured in our production house in Polson, Montana using scraps from our other upcycled wool products, deadstock fabric (waste of the fashion industry), and waxed cotton. The process begins by deconstructing wool clothing, including suitcoats, pants, shirts, and skirts. The leftover bits from making our Chinooks and Tweeders are cut down, sorted, and then resewn into the ZIP bag’s front panel. Each bag comes with its own serial no. to track how much material we reclaim and divert from the landfill each year.

WREN: 6” x 9” | $42 | $25.20 | .40

KESTREL: 7” x 11” | $52 | $31.20 | .40

MERGANSER: 8” x 14” | $62 | $37.20 | .40

Tweeders

ADULT $58 | $34.80 | .40

ADULT Enjoy the chill of fall and winter wearing your tweeders made from upcycled mens wool suit coats, wool jersey lining, and resin snap closures. Snap them together for a stylin’ assymetrical neck gaiter, or spice up your favorite cool weather outfit with the bold tweed pattern on your legs.

Chinook Woolen Neck Wrap

$46 | $27.60 | .40

Stay warm in cool weather with the multiple snapping configurations to bundle up, fold down, and express your own style. Your one-of-akind Chinook will turn heads as you walk down the street or hit your favorite ski slope. Made from upcycled wool suit coats, wool faced Polartec 200 fleece, and resin snap closures.

This is by far one of our best sellers year round. Cozy warm and a unique item that stands out for sure!

Lumi Collection

Wrap yourself up in the warmth of merino wool in the Lumi Collection. Made from upcycled merino & cashmere sweaters with a merino blend lining. From infinity scarf to buff to headband, we have you covered. Hand wash in cool water.

HEADBAND A classic double twist headband that is sure to stay in place and keep those ears covered and protected from all of nature’s elements. A throwback style and bright colors make this a must for everyone’s winter collection.

MERINO $18 | $10.80| .40 CASHMERE $26 | $15.60| .40

BUFF Single wrap of warmth for fall and winter days. A looser fit than the traditional technical piece, but can be worn skiing or other wintery adventures.

MERINO $32 | $19.20| .40 CASHMERE $42 | $25.20| .40

INFINITY Double up your warmth layer and enjoy the multiple styling configurations of this gem. Cozy, warm, soft, and a piece you will not want to take off.

MERINO $48 | $28.80| .40 CASHMERE $60 | $36| .40

Indigo Vee Zip

The NEW Indigo VEE ZIP is manufactured using reclaimed jeans, deadstock fabric (waste of the fashion industry), and heavy waxed cotton. The process begins by deconstructing discarded jeans that we acquire from local second hand shops. The Indigo Collection transforms old torn up denim into new products that tell a story and are one-ofa-kind just like you. Each bag comes with its own serial no. to track how much material we reclaim and divert from the landfill each year.

Carry all the day’s essentials and more: phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses, planner, bars of chocolate, whatever you need to accompany your day, and look sharp while doing it!

KESTREL: 7” x 11” | $52 | $31.20 | .40

MERGANSER: 8” x 14” | $62 | $37.20 | .40