Honesti Gittens, a Brooklyn‑based designer, has turned discarded soccer balls into high‑end fashion pieces, merging the kinetic energy of sport with a commitment to sustainability.
A Sustainable Vision
During a trip to Barbados, Gittens collected decommissioned balls that would otherwise sit in storage, seeking a material that could carry both history and purpose. Her brand, JENALI, is built around limited releases that echo the rhythm of major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup.
From the Pitch to the Closet
Each ball is meticulously deconstructed, cleaned and re‑engineered into items like sleek purses, with every stitch and seam reflecting the ball’s original texture. Gittens personally sources every component, ensuring that the supply chain remains as transparent as possible.
The first prototype emerged from a ball she used in her sophomore year, a personal relic that sparked the idea of giving worn‑out equipment a second life. By releasing collections only around marquee events, she avoids the wasteful cycle of seasonal drops that dominate much of the fashion industry.
Eco‑Conscious Impact
The United Nations estimates that the fashion sector generates 92 million tons of textile waste each year, a figure that looms over global environmental concerns. Gittens’s work directly counters this statistic, offering a model where luxury does not come at the expense of the planet.
Her designs draw on memories of playing multiple sports, translating the discipline and teamwork of the field into a design philosophy that values collaboration with artisans and sustainable sourcing.
Backed by partnerships with the Barbados Football Association and global bodies such as FIFA and the United Nations, JENALI leverages institutional credibility to amplify its message of responsible consumption.