EcoZeal

Reclaimed rubber. A great material for shoes, and maybe even handbags. But hats and dresses?

Why not? Take a look at the fantastic creations of two Dutch sisters who call themselves Zuss. (The name comes from the Dutch word for sister and rhymes with “us.”)

Krijnie (who has recently left Zuss to pursue other interests) and Christa have created multiple wardrobes of fantastic apparel from this humble material, ranging from bizarrely beautiful tops to jewelry.

Made completely from bicycle and moped innertubes, sometimes augmented with beads, Zuss’s gothic punk creations transcend the idea of clothing. Each piece is a unique, handcrafted, highly sculptural piece of wearable art. Even if you could never imagine yourself donning a garment that makes Mad Max look tame, it’s worth browsing through their appropriately-titled “Gallery” just to marvel at the creativity and yes, beauty of their pieces. (And while you’re there, try out the free online tarot reading,  a fun addition to their site.)

Due to the nature of the medium, many Zuss items, including their full-length coats and pants,  feature the “fishnet” look taken to the extreme. Perhaps that’s not just for design’s sake. It’s hard to imagine wearing a solid chunk of rubber comfortably for any length of time. In any case, the fashions aren’t designed for the faint of heart.

Perhaps the most accessible are Zuss’s unique accessories.  Many of their belts and bags could successfully add a Gothic flavor to any outfit without, um, causing an uproar. Of course, the whole point of punk is to turn heads – something Zuss does admirably. They top heads, too, with an extensive collection of off-the-wall rubber hats.

While Zuss may not be for everyone, anyone can appreciate the love of life, thriftiness and creative passion evident in their work.

The Reggae Top is just one of a myriad of wildly imaginative recycled rubber Gothic styles by Zuss.