Upcycled Plus Size Denim

One-of-A-Kind Streetwear

Jean Skirts - Jackets - Jeans

Women and Unisex

Celebrating
the African Diaspora

Ankara fabrics + American Style denim = A Fresh African American Style

    • Cynthia Phoenix

      A creative sewing textile artist. Sewing since about 10 years old when my mother showed me how to use a sewing machine. Started sewing clothes for my Barbie dolls. Back in the day sewing jean skirts for friends in high school. Made clothes for my children. Made stylish clothes for myself using Vogue couture patterns. Now retired from office work, I live in denim. Sewing is my artistic outlet. LRD grew out of letting my artistic expression show up in my clothes. When I create, I feel the unconditional love of my grandmother Lucy Roots.

    • Individually Handcrafted

      I deconstruct, sew and rework thrifted jeans, denim jackets and other clothes into plus size one-of-a-kind artisanal denim pieces. I strive to produce quality wearable garments with a funky fresh streetwear vibe. I embellish with Ankara fabrics, leather, embroidery, afro-centric symbols, graphic text, mixed media materials, and notions. LRD reworked denim garments are not made to order from a factory or contracted to a sewing shop. Made in my smoke and pet free home sewing studio. Lovingly made in Philly.

    • One Yard Ankara Fabric Piece

      A one yard cut piece of matching or coordinating Ankara fabric is included
      with each LRD garment. Why? So you can rock that distinctly
      African American flavor and proudly wear a head wrap with your drip. Wrapping your crown dates back to pre-colonial African history. Head wraps were
      considered symbols of status. During the
      Transatlantic Slave Trade, they were one of the few cultural pieces enslaved
      Africans were able to bring to the Americas. * November 20th is National Head Wrap Day *

      .

    • Why Upcycling?

      Tons of discarded, donated, and unwanted fast fashion clothes windup in landfills or wastefully transported around the world to secondary markets. I am one person creating garments in my smoke and pet-free home sewing studio. I source thrifted garments from local and online retail resellers, thrift shops, non-profit resale stores or warehouse dead stock. By using thrifted clothes LRD is taking a small step towards standing for sustainability and valuing the
      earth’s finite resources that were used to manufacture 'disposable' fast fashion clothes.

    How to head wrap One Yard Ankara Fabric Piece included with your Lucy Roots Denim garment ***YouTube video courtesy of MariaAntoinetteTV***