The Back Market x Gab Bois Collaboration Was On Full Display In Miami 

In 2024, overconsumption and environmental impact are hot topics in the fashion world. The apparel industry is far from perfect, but we’ve seen hopeful developments over the last decade, like designer collections in upcycled goods and innovative explorations into new materials. Creators and consumers are becoming much more conscious of our closets, too. But as our sartorial introspection increases, so does our desire for the latest tech upgrade; New, used and discarded tech items like phones, laptops, and tablets actually create the fastest-growing waste stream in the world — even outpacing fast fashion.

Enter Back Market. The refurbished tech marketplace, which operates in 18 countries, works with closely vetted sellers worldwide to offer high-quality tech that’s better for the planet. Eliminating waste from electronics, or e-waste, is their nascent cause, and their aim is to extend some of the longevity methods used in fashion — namely repair and reuse — to the world of tech. As an exercise in awareness and illustration, they’ve partnered with Montreal-based multidisciplinary artist Gab Bois on a first-of-its-kind accessory capsule.

Gab Bois’ creations have been featured in popular fashion magazines, and on her social media account she creates wearable art from reused material, like by turning a ballpoint pen into a bracelet, or a knife into the heel of the shoe. Influenced by her childhood of playing pretend, she infuses an element of whimsy into her creations.

For her collaboration with Back Market, entitled F/W 2005: Hardwear, Bois has crafted a nostalgia-tinged assortment, giving consumers a twist on ubiquitous wearable tech. Following the success of the company’s Downgrade Now campaign, Bois and Back Market are highlighting the potential for a more circular tech economy by turning discarded devices into clever accessories.

The purpose of F/W 2005: Hardwear might be communication, but the resulting collection is still quite cute. The Mobile Belt, which repurposes a flip phone for a belt buckle, brings to mind images of early-aughts It-girls with Nokias clipped to their waistlines. Headphones Headwear turns wired earbuds into a stylish balaclava. NYLON social director, Charlie Mock, had the opportunity to style a few of the pieces for her trip to NYLON House Miami, where she brought the camera coin purse and the mobile belt to the real-life intersection of art and fashion.

“NYLON's parties are always unmatched, but NYLON House Miami felt like the perfect spot to show off the creativity that's at the core of this collection, right alongside all of the other amazing pieces on show,” says Mock, who also made special note of the cleverness behind Gab Bois’ designs — especially the surprising camera coin purse. “Just when people think I'm about to snap a photo of their look, I'll pull out some gum or my lipgloss and disappear into the wind (or the bar).”

The Back Market x Gab Bois collaboration is limited edition, with only 75 pieces made. The collection will be available for purchase in the U.S. and France beginning on December 5. All proceeds will be donated to the Right to Repair movement in the U.S. and France advocating for legislative changes that empower consumers to repair and maintain their tech products.