BRING YOUR CREATIVITY TO LIFE
Turning your creative passion into a business is not just about skills or special talent.
It's about crafting a plan and following your heart.
It's about sharing resources, ideas, materials and inspiration.
And finding a community of people. Just like you...
OUR MISSION
To provide inspiration, knowledge and community to our fellow creatives around the world.
Hi, I’m Noor Bchara
I’m the founder of NOORISM, a repurposed denim brand where we create new, elevated pieces from second hand jeans. I’m an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where I teach about Upcycling and Repurposed design. My goal as a designer is to keep as many garments out of landfills as possible. My mission is to inspire and educate people on Upcycling and Repurposed design and how to do it on a bigger scale.
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ON THE BLOG...
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
"Noor is truly the queen of upcycling! She has taught me so much about how to be resourceful and find the most efficient ways to create new garments from recycled materials. She has a ton of knowledge about the fashion industry and garment production and has dared to approach it in a more sustainable way with her brand NOORISM. She has also constantly encouraged me to think big and be a savvy business woman. She is an incredible innovator, and a great mentor to have!”
Aly Reinert, Founder/Designer, The Untrend Shop
"Noor's in-depth approach to upcycling, both through her brand and her courses, is thorough, original, thoughtful and comprehensive. She takes into account not only the raw materials she carefully selects but also the production methods and how to consciously scale sourcing and manufacturing, a challenge when it comes to upcycling. Her course is a must for anyone interested in building a business focused on upcycled design and can be applied to fields outside of the fashion industry even."
Tara St James, Designer/Consultant, Study NY & Re:Source
"One of earth’s biggest polluters is the fashion industry and their environmentally detrimental activities that are contributing to the declining health of our planet. Recognizing that we are at an important crossroad, Noor Bchara, and her Upcycle Design School, is dedicated to providing the best sustainable design education to both current and aspiring designers. University of Fashion is therefore proud to partner with Upcycle Design School and their mission to inspire and educate people on upcycling and repurposed design and how to do it on a larger scale."
Francesca Sterlacci, CEO/Founder, University of Fashion
"Before this class I had no idea where I was going with my upcycling business, now I have a purpose and direction to take it in. Noor was very supportive of everyone's ideas while still being realistic and providing helpful critiques."
Eileen O'Brien, Designer, Renew Embroidery
"Upcycled design is such a rare and needed talent, and I can think of no one better to teach it than Noor Bchara. Noor possesses an impeccable eye for design (a skill she shared designing for Zac Posen, Ellen Tracy and her own eponymous label) and an impeccable eye for upcycled materials. Items Noor designs look more like works of art than environmentally forward fashion garments, and now she is sharing her knowledge with the world. Students won't be disappointed."
Kate Black, Founder, MagnifEco.com and EcoSessions
"Noor is a pioneer in upcycling and has led the way in bringing sustainability, conscious design, and positive change to the fashion industry"
Jeriana San Juan, Costume Designer, The Plot Against America
"Noor is a precise and talented designer and person of high integrity. She’s passionate about upcycling: I’m proud to wear some of her thoughtful and fashionable designs. I had the pleasure of working with Noor while she was a Venture Fellow at the BF+DA. It’s been wonderful to see her grow and continue to use her voice and design acumen to advance sustainability in the Fashion Industry."
Céleste Lilore, Director of Industry Engagement, Textile Exchange
"Noor Bchara is a global expert on upcycled clothing design and practices. She has traveled all over the world to teach about the subject, sharing her in-depth knowledge gained from her brand, Noorism; one of NYC's most loved sustainable fashion brands."
Dominica Baird, Global Director of Trends, Maybelline New York
