Repurposed flip-flops transformed into colorful vases
The Jambo Collection, a collaboration between designer Serena Confalonieri and Kenyan social enterprise Ocean Sole, is making waves at Milan Design Week 2025. This unique art project, showcasing upcycled flip-flops transformed into vibrant, reusable art pieces, is a testament to the power of creativity in driving environmental sustainability and social impact.
Confalonieri, inspired by Ocean Sole's work in repurposing discarded flip-flops from the ocean into art, took the initiative to collaborate on the Jambo Collection. The collaboration, part of the Can You Imagine? exhibition curated by Federica Sala for Secondome, emphasises sustainability by reducing ocean waste and creating art that supports social impact through artisan engagement in Kenya.
The artisans from Ocean Sole carve and shape the flip-flop blocks using knives and other tools, resulting in each piece being unique due to the unpredictability of colors. Once collected, the flip-flops are thoroughly cleaned and sorted by color and size before being glued together in layers to form large blocks, which serve as the base for the sculptures.
The final products reveal vibrant, colorful figures created from the flip-flops' original hues. The Jambo collection, on display at Rossana Orlandi, Via Bandello, 14, demonstrates that creatives can make a difference by creating pieces using existing materials.
The collaboration between Confalonieri and Ocean Sole also raises awareness about ocean pollution in Kenya. Volunteers play a crucial role in collecting discarded flip-flops for Ocean Sole, actively participating in cleanup efforts. Ocean Sole's efforts to clean local beaches and collect discarded flip-flops contribute to marine pollution reduction and lead to employment opportunities.
The Instagram post of this collaboration emphasises the joyful and artistic nature of the recycled flip-flop pieces and their presentation at a major design event. The Jambo collaboration serves as a model of sustainable art blending environmental responsibility with social entrepreneurship, gaining visibility on platforms like Instagram.
Serena Confalonieri, in her pursuit of sustainable design, designed three prototype vases using a new material: discarded flip-flops from Ocean Sole. This collaboration, which demonstrates the impact creatives can have on the world, showcases the potential of upcycling and the importance of reducing waste in our daily lives.
The Jambo Collection, displayed at Rossana Orlandi, Via Bandello, 14, demonstrates the fusion of sustainable design and art, specifically in the home-and-garden and lifestyle sectors. This collaboration, led by Serena Confalonieri and Ocean Sole, through its emphasis on creativity and social entrepreneurship, promotes sustainable living by reusing discarded materials.
