EXHIBIT COLLECTION

TWIN BACKPACK

TWIN BACKPACK

Up-Fuse, EGY, 2016

The backpack is 30 plastic bags fused to cre-ate a surface that is rich with patterns and stories. By combining plastic bags from different local brands the designers were able to also capture the visuals of vernacular culture.

EGY-Up-fuse-twin-backpack-deatilEGY-Up-fuse-twin-backpack-deatil

Flip Flop, Table display, 2011
Recycled flip-flops
H 25 x W 30 x D 30 cm

ABOUT THE DESIGN TEAM

UP-FUSE

Up-fuse is a Cairo-based startup that encourages a sustainable and eco-conscious lifestyle. Founded by Rania Rafie and Yara Yassin in Berlin in 2013, Up-fuse designs and produce bags made out of upcycled plastic and other environmentally friendly and locally produced materials. Their designs are handmade with unique colors and patterns creating unique designs. The color and pattern design of each product is made from a mixture of fused plastic bags, rendering each product a unique work of art.
Up-fuse involves different NGOs around Cairo who help them collect plastic waste from households in Cairo, clean it and upcycle it into Up-fuse’s spontaneously colored material Sabi. Currently they are collaborating with the NGO Roh El Shabab in Cairo, where they teach students the upcycling technique as a craft to encourage underprivileged children to finish their education while generating an income to support their families. A part of their revenue goes back to the NGO to support the youth to engage in a co-education curriculum. Up-fuse are working to encourage the use of eco-friendly and upcycled materials, merging between upcycled products, genuine design and social responsibility.

Rania Rafie,
Yara Yassin &
Lama El-Khawanky


Studio: Up-fuse since 2013
Philosophy: We believe that small actions can make a big difference.
Cooperations: NGO Roh El Shabab in Cairo
Status: Rania K. Rafie co-founder & managing director, Yara Yassin co-founder & marketing director, Lama El-Khawanky designer & production manager
Lives/works: Cairo, Egypt

Contact: www.up-fuse.com