Mexican Designer Gives Old Campaign Posters New Life
With the recent conclusion of Mexico’s important local, state and federal elections, discarded campaign posters have begun popping up all over the country. However, one creative fashion designer has found a sustainable way to upcycle these political advertisements into stylish tote bags and accessories.
Camilo Morales, known for his eco-friendly designs that transform unexpected materials, got to work collecting the vinyl banners once the voting period ended. Under Mexican law, parties have a short window after elections to remove their promotional signs, leaving piles of leftover posters. Morales takes these discarded ads and cuts them into pieces, then skillfully stitches them into bags selling from about $5 to $30 each.
Some of his most basic designs feature the solid white backgrounds common on many signs. But his premium bags create colorful collages out of candidates’ faces and slogans. One popular style incorporates heavily shadowed eyes from a prominent Mexico City mayoral contender. Through his reinvented election discards, Morales gives the promotional materials a second life while producing fashionable carries in the process.
Experts estimate the massive amount of political advertising generated around 10,000 tons of trash in Mexico City alone this election cycle. While the banners are often labeled recyclable, it’s unclear how effectively they can actually be processed. Morales’ initiative shows one way to reduce this election waste through creative upcycling. His sustainable approach transforms what was once clutter into desirable bags and accessories. By breathing new purpose into discarded campaign posters, this Mexican designer demonstrates how discarded promotions can have a positive post-election impact.
