A young designer from Glendale is leaving his mark on the environment, and he’s doing it with second-hand materials, using materials like San Marcos blankets, pillowcases and curtains.
Jovani Gonzรกlez uses his artistic passion to create his brand “La Segunda”, a company that transforms second-hand materials into unique bags, with culture and originality.
“We’re very comfortable spending, spending, spending, but we never think about what else I can do with it. What other life can I give this blanket?” Gonzรกlez said.
Gonzรกlez’s vision exceeded his expectations, attracting the attention of several social media users, who learn the importance of recycling materials, which also give a symbol to Mexican culture.
“Well, there’s also culture, because a lot of these (materials), like pillowcases, can remind them of loved ones,” Gonzรกlez said.
In April 2022, Gonzรกlez quit his full-time job at a clothing store so he could go to thrift stores more often and with more time to create unique bags.
โA lot of people are afraid to buy clothes from thrift stores because they say they are unwashed. But nothing happens with a wash,โ he added.
Gonzรกlez added that when second-hand clothes don’t sell, the clothes get thrown into landfills.
โI make these bags with a lot of love,โ Gonzรกlez said.