As sustainable fashion enthusiast Uche Aladimma sorts through discarded denim clothes in an open market in Lagos, Nigeria, a faded sky-blue jacket catches his eye; now he has to decide whether to turn it into an apron, a tote bag or something else.
Aladimma, 28, says he launched the eco-friendly Azach brand
in February to fight against fast fashion in Africa's most populous nation by
using second-hand clothes to produce durable street-wear popular with young
adults.
"All the materials that we work with are the materials
that we can use for a long time... They are clothes that you can pass down to
people... upcycle them again," he said.
An engineering graduate who found his calling in
eco-fashion, Aladimma wants to do more to help the environment. He hopes to
make furniture using denim one day.