Internet in Awe at Woman's Disney Princess Upcycle: 'I Gasped'

A woman's inventive take on how to breathe new life into a dusty old blanket has left viewers online in awe.

Kelsey, who thrifts and upcycles long-forgotten fabrics and garments, has amassed a 110,000-strong following on TikTok where she goes by @ropedropdesign.

What Is Upcycling?

Upcycling is a creative process that sees an archaic material, product or piece of furniture be rescued and transformed into a new item that's ready to be worn and used with pride. It can be applied to almost anything.

The practice has seen an upswing in popularity online, partly due to its perceived eco-friendly quality amid a booming fast fashion industry. Many creatives like Kelsey are showing off how they've revived something old into something new, but not all the creators that pitch into the movement have seen the response that Kelsey has.

A recent clip of her creating a Disney-themed jacket from a thrifted blanket has made waves online. The video, viewed more than 8.5 million times since it was first shared to TikTok on February 1, featured a transition between the original blanket and the bomber-style jacket that became of it.

"What I made versus what I bought," Kelsey, who would prefer to keep her full identity private, said.

Kelsey describes herself as being not just a designer, but also a "theme park fan" who kickstarted her upcycling as a side hustle to combine both passions.

She creates all her pieces by hand at her home in Los Angeles, California, focusing on second-hand bedsheets and proving that quirky statement pieces can be made out of almost anything.

What Do the Comments Say?

The post has been liked by more than 7,000 users and commented on more than 3,000 times. TikTok users have voiced their amazement at the upcycle in the comments section of the post, and Kelsey's creativity has been hailed.

"I will always be jealous of textiles people because this talent is unmatched," one user wrote.

Another user added: "I think this is the first time I gasped at a TikTok."

"This is probably one of the best upcycling I've seen on this app," a third user shared.

"Great job keep it up. Hope the best for you. This is amazing," a different user commented.

The post is captioned: "For the Snow White fans."

Newsweek received permission from Kesley @ropedropdesign to use her content.

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