This year, London Fashion Week isn’t just about the glitz and glamour of high-end designers. In a twist as unexpected as a thunderstorm in July, supermarket giant Aldi has crashed the party with a womenswear collection that’s turning heads—and trash—into treasure. Dubbed ‘Trash-Chic’, the line is a collaboration with designer Ethan Leyland, who has transformed Aldi’s humble black bin bags into runway-ready masterpieces.
Leyland, known for his avant-garde approach, spent over 270 hours meticulously crafting the collection, using more than 100 of Aldi’s Everyday Essentials Refuse Sacks. These bags, made from 60% recycled plastic and priced at a mere £1.25 a roll, have been reimagined into bold, statement-making dresses that blur the line between utility and haute couture. “This project was a challenge I couldn’t resist,” Leyland shared. “Creating beauty from something so ordinary has been exhilarating. The reaction? It’s been electric.”
The collection made its debut in the heart of Soho, where two models strutted the streets in bin bag dresses, accessorized with matching handbags—also crafted from the same material. Onlookers were quick to praise the audacious designs, with one fashion enthusiast gushing, “It’s so avant-garde! Where can I get my hands on this?” Another admirer remarked, “The piece speaks to me—it’s raw, it’s real, it’s revolutionary.”
Julie Ashfield, Aldi’s Managing Director of Buying, couldn’t contain her pride. “When we said our bin bags were versatile, we meant it,” she quipped. “From lining your trash can to gracing the runway, these bags are the unsung heroes of household essentials. At Aldi, we’re all about value, and this collection proves that affordability and high fashion can coexist. Last year, we recreated Moschino’s iconic celery bag for a fraction of the price. This year, we’re taking it to the next level with looks that cost just £1.25. Trash-Chic isn’t just a collection—it’s a movement.”
Aldi’s Trash-Chic collection is more than just a fashion statement—it’s a call to rethink what we consider valuable. In a world drowning in excess, this line reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. And at £1.25 a roll, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life really are (almost) free.
