SNS: Many followers of your work maybe haven't seen you in person before, only on Instagram where you mainly showcase your work. Have you or would you ever step out in a Nicole McLaughlin original?

NM: I'm pretty simple in terms of what I wear, and my work is the opposite of that. Often, what you see on my Instagram are concepts. Although they're wearable, some are typically not finished to have the durability to sustain the daily grind as I usually take them apart shortly after being photographed to make into something else. I'm also continually reusing materials. But I've thought about it a lot in the past couple of months, so I'll probably find ways to start incorporating pieces I wear subtly. Who knows, maybe I'll go all out and make myself a suit.

You are constantly setting the bar when it comes to creativity, seemingly outdoing yourself with every creation. Would you say you've ever spent time stressing over brainstorming ideas, or is this all 100% second nature to you?

I think stressing over ideas is natural, especially if you're trying to do something well. And I'm not immune to suffering from creative blocks. However, what I focus on in those situations is finding a way to solve one answer at a time. From there, things fall into place pretty quickly. Often, when I see a piece, my brain immediately knows what to do, and it feels great. But there's something about a challenge, especially when you're trying to create something that changes a person's perception about a product, sustainability and upcycling, etc., that I enjoy.

It's hard to view your work and not feel refreshed by the reutilization of products we already love: Carhartt beanies, Patagonia fleeces, The North Face puffers... As our society and community continues to tune in to the concept of sustainability and the importance of reducing waste within the fashion industry and beyond, do you have any expectations from the brands we love over the next couple years? Is there a Nicole McLaughlin utopia for the fashion industry?

That's a tough question. A utopia is about the ideal society, and it's hard to have expectations when you're living in perfection. What challenges are there to push oneself to find betterment? It's hard to think about it when New York is slowly shifting to a sub-tropical climate, and somewhere in the world, the planet is always on fire. It's not a happy picture to imagine, but that's why sustainability, not as a concept, but an action, is so necessary. We need to continually educate ourselves and find the right ways to create less waste.

You've brought your experience and perspective to many by offering workshops globally, and we've heard you're in the process of developing a non-profit organization to further your mission to positively change the future. Is there anything about this organization that you'd like to share with readers at this moment? Or will we have to just wait and see?

My non-profit is rooted in taking the idea of sustainability and making it more tangible from a design perspective. It's about allowing students to approach sustainability and upcycling in a place that encourages people to ask questions and explore various possibilities. By working with brands, we're putting materials that many students can't afford directly into their hands. But it's not just that; it's also giving them access to tools that will help shape their design approach and their mindset towards sustainability: economically, ecologically, and socially in an all encompassing way.

Lastly, have you ever envisioned a world where your work is worn by the average person? Do you see your latest project in collaboration with Crocs as a way to normalize your work, or just a way to finally give your following taste... something tangible they can enjoy without having to reach for their phone?

Honestly, it's incredible to see people excited about my work, whether it's in the real world or online. And when I see people wearing a piece of mine, it's really rewarding and gives me some special feelings. It helps build a stronger connection, and I'm grateful to be given such an opportunity as my job because I love it. I don't necessarily think that my Crocs collaboration was an outlet to normalize my work, but an exploration in functionality, which I always push. "Why can't it be more than what it is?" That's the question that drives me when I'm creating, and I hope it inspires others to wonder the same.