Slideshow
Nothing about a textile changes between when it 's in a kids closet and when it ends up in a lost and found - only the value assigned to it.
L&FA LIVES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT VALUE COMPLEX
VALUE DEPENDS ON WHO'S LOOKING
L&FA ONLY REIMAGINES PHYSICALLY DAMAGED AND BROKEN CLOTHES FROM LOST AND FOUNDS ACROSS THE BAY AREA THAT CANNOT BE PLACED IN VALUING HANDS
WE REIMAGINE VALUELESS FABRIC AS WEARABLE ART.
OUR PROCESS
Lost
Students lose the Damaged Garment
Recovered
Lost and Found Heroes Collects the Unclaimed Garments
Sorted
Damaged Garments are Separated from Pieces that can be Donated
Deconstructed
Every piece is carefully taken apart
Reimagined
New designs are made around the salvaged fabric.
Rebuilt
Pieces are hand cut, combined, and hand sewn into something new
Yours to Find
A one-of-a-kind piece begins its next life, valued in your hands
BEHIND L&FA
My name is Zayan Kajani. I’m 15 and an aspiring fashion designer. When I was 10 I started Lost and Found Heroes, an organization that redistributes unclaimed clothing from school lost and founds. While most pieces could be placed into new hands, the damaged ones couldn’t. I wanted to bring value to what is understood as valueless.
I learned to sew alongside my Kashmiri grandmother, patching up holes here and there. Then, I began taking those damaged garments apart, finding what could still be used, and designing around those limitations.
I don’t begin with a sketch and search for the perfect fabric. I begin with what’s in front of me and let what remains shape what comes next.
Every item is handmade by me, one of one, eco-friendly, recycled, and made with love sewn into every piece.
100% OF L&FA PROFITS SUPPORT LOST & FOUND HEROES.
Lost & Found Heroes collect unclaimed clothing from schools lost and founds and redistributes it to those in need, domestically and abroad, through a network schools and community partners. Over the past 5 years, Lost & Found Heroes has given a new life to over 40,000 articles of clothing.
While most pieces can be given a second home, damaged items can't be donated. L&FA exists to give those pieces a new life by seeing value where the world doesn't.