In a fashion moment that turned heads and sparked conversations across the industry, Hailey Bieber stepped out in May 1, 2025 wearing a mini dress made entirely from recycled stainless steel watch straps. The avant-garde piece, created by French designer Marine Serre, was not only a stunning blend of industrial chic and high fashion but also a striking example of sustainability in practice.
The dress, reportedly made from dozens of upcycled watch straps, showcased Serre’s signature fusion of futuristic design and environmental consciousness. Each strap, once a discarded accessory, was meticulously linked to form a shimmering mosaic of metal on Bieber’s figure. The result? A bold, body-hugging silhouette that challenged conventional ideas of what recycled fashion can look like.
This isn’t the first time Marine Serre has made waves with upcycling. The designer is known for using deadstock, repurposed materials, and found objects in her collections—making her a staple in the movement toward sustainable luxury.
Hailey Bieber’s choice to wear the dress was more than a fashion statement—it was a cultural one. With over 50 million followers on Instagram, her visibility offers a powerful platform for eco-conscious designers. The viral photos from her appearance sparked thousands of comments praising the creative reuse of materials and the message it sends about waste and reinvention.
This isn’t new territory for Bieber, either. She has previously promoted thrift shopping, clean beauty, and sustainable lifestyle practices, making her an influential voice in Gen Z’s embrace of eco-conscious living.
While the concept of recycling is well-known in fast fashion and streetwear, it’s still gaining traction in luxury spaces. Marine Serre’s collaboration with a major celebrity like Bieber could mark a turning point. It reinforces the idea that sustainable fashion doesn’t have to be basic—it can be bold, glamorous, and red carpet-worthy.
In recent years, fashion’s impact on the environment has come under intense scrutiny. From water pollution to textile waste, the industry is one of the world’s largest polluters. By spotlighting creative reuse, designers like Serre are demonstrating that sustainability can coexist with innovation and aesthetics.
As more celebrities and designers embrace upcycling, the hope is that consumers will follow suit—embracing vintage, second-hand, and reworked clothing as viable options. The watch-strap dress is more than a quirky design—it’s a symbol of change.
