An African proverb tells us that “It takes a village to raise a child.” Like most proverbs, the meaning is clear, though it can also be deeper and more complex than it appears.
In our case, for example, we could say that it took a village, meaning a network of people and social relations, to raise JUNKLE, and make it what it is today. Palermo, our neighborhood, and people we’ve met in the course of time (and those we will meet in the course of time) are the foundation that sustains JUNKLE.
Over the years, these relationships have allowed us to collaborate with different sorts of folk, folks with different life experiences, leading to a “give and receive” relationship. This might seem banal, something said to make us feel good, but we can assure you that this is indeed the case.
Getting to know craftspeople in their local workshops, carpenters, associations, small businesses, and others in our neighborhood has been fundamental. At the same time, it was also important for us to take part in various projects. We didn’t do this to receive visibility in return. We choose projects that inspire us, projects we think are a fit for spreading the message we want to spread.
JUNKLE: Its Village and Origins.
JUNKLE wasn’t built in a day. It grew with time, and thanks to good choices. But, who knows, maybe there was also a touch of fate, or destiny.
We could say that our adventure began by chance when, one day, we came across a sail that was headed for the dump, and we asked ourselves: “What if this isn’t the end of the line for this thing?” In short, an opportunity presented itself, and we grabbed it. We took the sail and, driven by curiosity and determination, gave it a new life, creating something new from a pre-existing thing.
And from that moment on, everything came together, like pieces of a puzzle. We opened a workshop, which led to meeting all kinds of people, and understanding and working with material destined for the junkyard, transforming it into something new, inspired by principles of circular economy and upcycling.
Everyone’s a Protagonist in the JUNKLE Crew.
Now we arrive at the most difficult part, the one where we risk slipping into cliché. But trust us, there would be no JUNKLE without our team.
We all work together in synergy, a group of people with very different quirks and personalities, and in which each member brings something to the project, and leaves a personal mark.
Each member of the crew is a protagonist, which is why we can clearly say that JUNKLE is not just the duo of Ilaria and Concetta, respectively the founder/CEO and Head of Production. There’s Turi, who works between the digital world and the creative world, covering the dual role of Head of E-commerce and Senior Art Director, flanked by Nina, who as Art Director adds that certain something to each creative dimension.
Alfonso is our English language specialist, and helps us tell the JUNKLE story beyond our borders. Alice is a Photomaster expert who translates every JUNKLE piece into visual storytelling. Then there’s Ifrat, a master stitcher, who with precision puts together all the pieces of junk we have collected here and there. Finally, we come to Livia, designer and master of sustainable fashion, whose creative touch helps us put together our clothing lines.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remember Valentina, who was our sail seeker. She left the world, and us, all too soon. Her essence continues to inspire us every day, reminding us why we do what we do.
If you want to know more about the JUNKLE Crew, click on the link below.
JUNKLE: Projects and Messages to Share.
Over the years we’ve had the opportunity to take part in social projects in collaboration with local associations, such as Trame_Spazio in Quartiere (Neighborhood Places & Stories), decorating a workshop with upholstery from the Officine ZEN, and DAPPERTUTTO (Everywhere), a social project in which we offered a workshop on tailoring and creative recycling, together with SEND.
We have collaborated with other local groups and initiatives, tailoring products or merchandizing, as in the case of the SQFF – Sicilia Queer Film Festival and Efebo D’Oro (The Golden Ephebe), for which we made promotional bags. For the local BOOQ – Bibliofficina (Library Office) and the Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva di Palermo (Living Memory Maritime Ecomuseum) we supplied furnishing accessories adapted to their spaces, using brightly colored materials from outdoor Sicilian markets, and beach chairs.
Working with the Laboratorio di Ecologia dell’Università di Palermo (University of Palermo Ecology Laboratory) and the Sicily Marine Centre of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station was a challenge we willingly faced. Together we created a prototype of a kit to collect microplastics from beaches, working exclusively with the upcycling of different materials, like the fabric strips from spinnaker sails, and the sail bags themselves, outdoor cottons, and dacron, nylon, and salt-resistant metals.
Well, hey, if you’ve made it this far, you understand that for Junkle it’s really important to actively engage with our local community. All of the projects we’ve participated in have a special meaning for us. Each one, in its own unique way, has helped us to communicate a system of values, and launch a message.
Today, keeping in mind the geolocalization of Junkle, it’s easy to ask yourself “why here?” or “who are you doing all this for?” But the real question is “why not?” The heart of the Junkle enterprise was born and raised here, and we’ve established really vital networks and human relationships. We know the lay of the land, the good and the bad, though we don’t like focusing on the negative qualities. We know and love our local area, and try our best to exalt the possibilities it offers. So, why not embrace your local environment and the resources it offers?
There’s always room for improvement, and what Junkle does, or at least tries to do, is become a brand and a dynamic team, always searching for new challenges. I mean, otherwise, it’d all be a bit … boring, no?
