Zero Waste Daniel

In 2019, The New York Times article "The Future is Trashion" by Vanessa Friedman captured Zero Waste Daniel’s mission and the spirit of our first store. Since then, we’ve come a long way. During COVID, we pivoted to an online-only model for three years, keeping our community connected digitally while continuing to champion zero-waste fashion. In September 2023, we proudly reopened with a new flagship store, and it’s become more than just a retail location—it’s a celebration of the journey and accomplishments of Zero Waste Daniel. Framed articles, snapshots of our iconic drag queen clients, and signature works like the David Bowie mosaic tell our story, showcasing how far we’ve come in redefining sustainable fashion. Beyond our signature zero-waste designs, the store features carefully curated lifestyle goods and highlights local, sustainable brands, inviting our community to explore a more conscious way of living. If you’re in NYC, I’d love for you to come by and see how we’re turning trashion into style and sustainability into a lifestyle. #ZeroWasteDaniel #ZeroWaste #ZeroWasteFashion #SustainableFashion #Trashion #NYC?#Fashion #Brooklyn #Sustainability https://lnkd.in/gEnJFkp

From the beginning, I was drawn to the potential of scrap fabrics—imagining them as something beautiful and full of life. My inspiration for this mindset came early on, fueled by my love for live theater. As a kid, I would come home from a show, overflowing with creativity, and start making tiny costumes for my sister’s Barbies...which quickly became my Barbies. That inspiration has stayed with me, and this year, I was thrilled to bring it full circle with Sustainable Fashion is a Cabaret at New York Fashion Week. Combining the energy of theater and nightlife with sustainable design, we transformed the runway into a stage for bold, upcycled pieces. The show blended fashion and performance, celebrating both my love for live performance and for reinventing waste into wearable art. Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey, reminding me that fashion can be both meaningful and magical. ?? #SustainableFashion #Fashion #Design #Inspiration #ZeroWaste #zerowastefashion #NewYorkFashionWeek #NYFW #theater #cabaret #zerowastedaniel

This year I had the honor and pleasure of creating another unique drag look for the incomparable Yvie Oddly, a true icon.? ? Our first collaboration took place when I designed Yvie’s "Scrap Monster" look for the premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 7 in 2022. When Yvie came to me and asked for a look, I had a few ideas in mind that I had been waiting for the perfect person to create them for.?I knew Yvie was this special person. As we worked together, the concept evolved into something truly special. Yvie’s unique energy and presence brought an extra layer of magic to the garment, making it truly unforgettable.? ? Our most recent project took a similar approach, and we named it "Pile of Drag." This time, Yvie envisioned a look constructed from past costumes spanning their career—a symbolic, tangible representation of their drag journey. The look was to be used in a performance that would start as a literal pile of drag and as they slowly come to a full standing position, the queen inside and an elaborate gown are revealed. I was thrilled to see the final creation debut at Drag Con LA 2024, and I was happy to see the look premier on Very Delta. Delta Work even said “that outfit slaps.”? ? Yvie's unorthodox ideas constantly challenge and inspire me to push my work’s boundaries. Their trust, creativity, and collaboration make each project not only a joy but a true artistic evolution. Yvie will always be one of my muses, driving me to explore new possibilities in design. #DragQueen #Drag #YvieOddly #Fashion #FashionDesign #DragConLA2024 #SustainableFashion #ZeroWasteFashion #ZeroWasteDesign #Upcycled #

As a designer, I’ve learned that creativity blocks are just part of the process—especially when you’re in a career that demands constant innovation such as fashion design. Early in my career, I realized that staying motivated and inspired for the long haul required more than just passion; it meant incorporating mental check-ins and workflow strategies that keep me refreshed and focused. Design school played a crucial role in shaping this approach—it not only expanded my understanding of what’s possible but also equipped me with the technical skills to maintain a steady flow of ideas. In fashion, there's a constant interplay between technical skill and personal expression. One strategy I swear by is mastering the technical aspects of design. By ensuring my skills can keep up with my creative vision, I’ve been able to minimize frustration and steer clear of the negative thought spirals that can lead to creative blocks. A solid foundation in technical skills allows me to create exactly what I envision, helping me stay motivated. Another key to overcoming blocks is having a rich pool of inspiration to draw from. I’ve built an archive of ideas—visuals, sketches, materials—that I can tap into whenever I feel stuck. This collection of inspiration has been transformative for my productivity, enabling me to synthesize these elements into fresh, cohesive designs. I have also found that listening to my favorite musicians, watching my favorite movies or TV shows, or going to see live theater can sometimes jumpstart the process. But creativity doesn’t stop at designing clothes—it extends into how I present my work to the world. There are endless ways to showcase a collection, and I’ve learned that the only real limit is the one I place on myself. By refusing to say, “No, that’s not possible,” I’ve unlocked new levels of innovation in my clothing and brand presentation. The truth is, we’re often the ones creating our own blocks by setting limits on our creativity. Staying open-minded, fearless, and willing to push past those limits has been the key to keeping the ideas—and the passion—alive. Photo Credit: Bobby Pache #zerowaste #zerowastefashion #sustainabledesign #sustainablefashion #fashion #fashiondesign #circulardesign #zerowastedaniel #creativeprocess #EcoFriendlyFashion #FashionInnovation #TextileWasteReduction #FashionIndustry

As the weather shifts and we transition from summer to fall, I find myself reflecting on the circular nature of everything around us. This time of year often brings nostalgia and deeper thought, and it reminds me of a collaboration that perfectly embodied these themes: Zero Waste Daniel's partnership with ThredUp in 2022. For this project, ThredUP provided 2,000 pounds of unsellable clothing, and I had the opportunity to breathe new life into it. From those discarded pieces, we created 1,000 unique items, including sweaters, handbags, dog beds, and even bowls. The collection was aptly named the Full Circle Collection—a reference to our chosen theme: “what’s old is new again.” At the heart of both our brands is the mission to divert textile waste from landfills, and this collaboration brought that shared vision to life in such a meaningful way. The collection's spokesmodel was none other than the iconic Fran Drescher, whose style from the '90s inspired much of the design. Her involvement made the project even more special, bringing a touch of nostalgia to the contemporary designs. This collaboration highlighted the power of circularity—not just in fashion, but in life. It's a beautiful reminder that with creativity and purpose, we can turn what might be discarded into something new, valuable, and inspiring. #SustainableFashion #CircularEconomy #TextileRecycling #ZeroWaste #UpcycledFashion #EcoFriendly #ThredUPCollab #DenimUpcycle #FullCircleCollection #FranDrescher #WasteToWear #ConsciousFashion #SustainabilityInStyle #EcoConscious #RepurposedFashion

Check out the heart and soul of Zero Waste Daniel on sune! I’m excited to announce our episode of Junk to Jewels is now streaming on Sune! Sune is a new mobile app where you can discover, experience, and shop uniquely crafted products made by artisans and makers across the U.S. Through engaging videos, you’ll get an inside look at the creators behind each product and their authentic craftsmanship. This episode dives deep into my processes, why I do what I do, and my unwavering commitment to reducing waste in the fashion industry! It’s an opportunity to see the passion and dedication that goes into every piece I create, and how I'm pushing the envelope to make fashion both stylish and eco-conscious. Sune has been an incredible partner for Zero Waste Daniel. Recently they sponsored my New York Fashion Week show, which was a phenomenal success and truly highlighted the fusion of sustainability and style. Their app, which you might have heard about, is revolutionizing how we approach fashion by promoting independent makers and artisans to shop and see their processes. I can’t wait for you to see it! Thank you again to Sune for making this video with us.?I hope you enjoy #sustainability #sune #sustainablefashion #ShopLocal #SupportArtisans #ShopSmall #MadeInTheUSA #BehindTheScenes

Exciting News! I'm happy to share that Zero Waste Daniel has been awarded the Freed Fellowship Grant for August! Freed Fellowship is all about empowering small business owners by providing the resources, mentorship, and community support needed to build impactful companies. Every month, they award the grant to a small U.S. business to help entrepreneurs reach their next milestone—and we're so honored to be the recipient for August! Today, I spoke with Nathan Rodgers at Freed Fellowship for an upcoming episode of his Freed Stories podcast (available on Spotify and the link below)! It was an amazing conversation about how I got to where I am as a pioneering sustainable fashion brand, and where I see Zero Waste Daniel going. Make sure to take a listen when it comes out! We're beyond grateful to Freed Fellowship for their support, and we're excited to continue growing and making a difference. Thank you, Freed Fellowship, for welcoming us into your community! ?? https://lnkd.in/grQFBytT #SmallBusiness #Sustainability #FreedFellowship #ZeroWaste #CommunityImpact #GrantRecipient #Entrepreneurship #EcoFashion

?? ?Exciting times in Osaka, Japan!?????? ? Earlier this year, we were thrilled to be invited back to the?Hankyu New York Fair 2024, and of course, we jumped at the opportunity! Our past two experiences at this pop up were incredible, so when the chance to return came up, it was a no-brainer.? ? In mid-September, Mario and I?finally headed to Osaka. The market was such a rewarding experience, and we loved meeting so many people who share our passion for sustainability.?????We also had the chance to reconnect with some amazing people we met during our past visits!? ? Reflecting on our time at the?Hankyu New York Fair 2024?in Osaka, Japan, I’m reminded of the incredible global movement toward sustainability and the power of collaboration. Seeing firsthand how deeply Japanese culture respects nature and craftsmanship has been a humbling experience. It reinforces our commitment to creating consciously, reusing materials, and thinking long-term about the impact we leave behind.? ? These experiences inspire us to keep innovating, challenging the status quo, and finding creative solutions to reduce waste. Sustainability isn't just a trend, it’s the future.? ? #Sustainability #CircularFashion #ZeroWaste #Fashion #PopUpShop #OsakaJapan #NYFW #EcoFriendly #HankyuNewYorkFair #SustainableLiving #FashionForChange #GlobalImpact? ?

Honored to be one of the highlights of NYFW, thank you Nadja Sayej and Forbes. https://lnkd.in/e85fmVJp

How does sustainable fashion mix with cabaret? Well, you can now find out! Green Matters featured our NYFW event, "Sustainable Fashion is a Cabaret," with an exclusive interview where I talk in depth about what inspired this collection and how it reflects my values as a designer and as a person. Bianca Piazza beautifully captures the essence of the event, where art, performance, and ethical design took center stage. Check out the full article for an inside look at my vision: https://lnkd.in/eQATdpYv #zerowaste #sustainability #NYFW #newyorkfashionweek #sustainablefashion #ecofriendly #zerowastedaniel