Sustainable Brand Mena

Waste and making it wearable in the Big Apple? Meet Mena.

Fashion and NYFW continue to battle the theme of excess in SS24. This year featured a season-high surplus of bored celebrities (thank you writer’s strike), celeb-wanna-bees, and buckets of postseason fast-fashion. In light of this general excess, I wanted to take time to highlight one of the more intentional, creative, purpose driven brands I have seen this season or in several seasons past—Mena.

We are part of an ever-evolving fashion landscape, constantly battling the allure of 'Ultimate Self Expression v. Ultimate Sustainable Practices'. Clothes are more easily made, readily available, and cheap; both in cost and quality. While this opens up opportunities in affordable garments, social media trends have pushed a disposable perspective and higher consumption. So is it really saving us anything?

Meet Chris Mena, founder and designer of Mena. This NYFW marked the grand runway debut for the brand, with the capsule collection From the Street. Situated in a building's interior courtyard, the set featured a sloped cement runway and discarded articles that the average New Yorker would easily classify as "******* trash". Wet pavement and lingering droplets from a morning storm amidst a sea of discarded rubbish created a post-apocalyptic dream land. Or what Chris might perceive as the perfect workable palette.

The From the Streets collection was a labor of love, featuring five years of foraged materials exclusively from the streets of New York City; and we're not just talking about a bottle cap belt, or tire tread flip-flops. Chris makes innovative, atelier-style garments from discarded items into tailored wearables. A Sabrett umbrella and Ikea tote bag trench. MTA work vest now crop top coupled with a multi-source paneled pant. Utility moving belt bag strap, (fresh from a highway salvage operation), coupled with a licence plate clutch.

The list above notes some of the zanier pieces; they get the most interest and engagement on social media and help move the needle on sustainability awareness. However, Chris also understands the beauty of true wearability. Maybe an Ikea tote pencil skirt isn't in the cards for your next executive meeting, but some cool up-cycled patchwork denim could be 'oh so the vibe' for your next concert, or even a quick grocery store run.

MENA | From the Street

Chris Mena wrapped the show with a statement of gratitude and the thunderous applause of his patrons. Image courtesy of Sean Zanni.

The brand has not gone without celebrity notice either. Chris Mena has been heavily supported by fashion veteran and friend Nicole Miller, (of course seated front row at this recent show). The sports and music community has also taken notice of the innovative designer. Carmelo Anthony and Damian Lillard, both clients with orders ranging from custom reworks of closet 'past-faves', to true street styled ensembles. Music celebs like Big Sean have also turned their head to cop and rock Mena originals.

It's natural to gravitate to simple solutions. Whether it's a quick cheese burger, or a hit of fast fashion. It looks good and tastes great in the moment. But after? You get the runs and that garment--after its 10 second moment of Insta or ‘Tok fame—typically makes its way to the nearest bin. Social media and societal pressures continue to drive disposable perspectives. So where do we go from here?

Sitting down with Chris, left us with some meaningful insight into his creative process and perspective. Dressing with flair doesn't have to constantly focus on new things. You can dress yourself with intention and practice sustainability, whether it's wearing garments that more obviously feature sustainability practices (like Mena's), or by just extending the cycle of some favorite pieces. Style them in a fresh way. Better yet? Have them re-worked into something new. We know a guy...

Now before you make a swift V away from me the next time we meet and you're wearing a Zara jumper, know that this piece and these perspectives are not a judgement. I have my H&M basics, my mass produced foam Birkenstocks, and even a SheIn swimsuit that was just too good to pass up. Budget and time doesn't always allow us to be everything. But I hope that designers like Mena push us to integrate fresh perspectives on conscious consumerism and fashion longevity.

Thanks Mena and team. Can't wait to see where you go next.