L. Train Recycled
Lindsey Donaldson

When did you start designing?

I started designing in high school - I made and altered clothes for myself and friends, and I made and sold jewelry at school (like secretly in the middle of Algebra 2...) I took two fashion design classes in college with every intention of transferring to an art school to study fashion design, but I really hated those classes. I ended up getting a degree in French literature but kept designing for fun. About 10 years ago I made my first recycled plastic purse: a knitted backpack with a shoulder straps that also cinched the top. I wore it everywhere and got tons of comments and compliments. So I started making more - adding linings, pockets, and other features, and started to sell them at stores and shows and occasionally on-line.

How would you describe the style of your designs?

My designs are definitely attention-getting; they're not really subtle in any way. They are colorful and bohemian, and I might even say slightly political (Wearing accessories made entirely from recycled materials does make a statement about social responsibility, I think.)

Where do you find your inspiration?

"I won't deny watching the trends in magazines and on-line, but I usually get inspired from the materials themselves. I have a lot of "suppliers" who give me old fabrics and plastic trash; most of the time simply the look of the materials helps me decide their future form."

What materials do you usually work with?

I use mainly plastics, as they are sort of the "enemy" of nature in that they never really break down entirely. However, I use that to my advantage, since they make very durable accessories. All fabrics and most notions are vintage. My policy is to take advantage of as many non-new materials as possible; there is so much STUFF out there that I am often able to find exactly what I need on eBay or in thrift stores. My rationale is that I don't want something new to be produced in order to make L Train Recycled products; the less production that occurs, the less carbon and other pollutants are put into the atmosphere. I don't want just to use recycled materials, I also want to make sure that the rest of my actions are environmentally responsible. I use eco-friendly cleaning products to prepare materials for re-use, I hang-dry fabrics, and all power use at my home-workshop are offset by wind power.

What is the story behind the name of your line?

"L Train" is my gang name. (I think this is a particularly funny idea, since I'm a WASPY 30-something.)

What is the first piece you ever made?

My first knit recycled purse I described in question 1, but I haven't really ever used a lot of new materials to sew; all my designs in high school were alterations of old clothes. I guess my first design was a Barbie dress made from the end of a sock; I cut holes for the head and the arms and drew garish stars all over it in true '80s style.

If you could dress anyone in the world, who would it be?

My 3 faves are Jane Birkin, Zooey Deschanel and Jenny Lewis. Oh, and Drew Barrymore circa '95.

Where can we find your designs?

Primarily at www.ltrainrecycled.com, but also at Willow in both Littleton and Boulder, On a Lark in Denver, Caboddle in Denver, Solissa Boutique in Salt Lake City, and Vertigres in Kalamazoo, MI.