DURGA Highlights: Zero-Waste, One-of-a-Kind Upcycled Artwear Amsterdam
- Dorit Kozlovski
- Aug 14
- 6 min read
No greenwashing—transparent materials, slow craft and art-therapy design.
Select DURGA pieces now at Kokopelli, Warmoesstraat 12, Amsterdam.
About DURGA (for zero-waste readers who value truth over trends)
DURGA is a zero-waste, one-of-a-kind upcycled artwear label founded by Dorit Kozlovski. Every piece is made by Dorit and select artist-collaborators, using materials already in circulation—vintage garments, surplus local textiles, and hand-painted/hand-woven artisan material—so no two items are ever the same. Today you can discover select DURGA pieces in central Amsterdam (see Where to find DURGA now below).
No Greenwashing: materials & process (transparent, local, ethical)
Use what exists: pre-loved clothing, leftover fabrics from local markets, rare trims from Amsterdam and Kuressaare fabric shops, and occasional artisan weaves sourced directly in small, one-off quantities (not mass supply chains).
Local & small-scale: work happens in home studios in Amsterdam (NL) and Kuressaare (EE) with excellent working conditions.
Truly one-of-a-kind: there are no seasonal collections; each piece is made slowly and is never replicated.
Ethical, Not “Eco”-Washed — What Is Done (and What Isn’t)
Local over logistics
Reality check: even leftover/pre-owned garments create emissions when shipped across borders in bulk.
Choice at DURGA: source locally (Amsterdam & Kuressaare) from markets, donations, and small stocks; avoid importing heavy bales. When transport is needed, keep it short-distance and low-frequency.
Up-cycling ≠ industrial recycling
Industrial “recycling” often means fiber reprocessing, chemical stripping/de-dyeing, and high energy—which creates additional waste.
Method at DURGA: up-cycling at garment/fabric level with handcraft (cut, mend, crochet, embroidery, hand-painting, re-composition). Minimal machinery. No chemical deconstruction.
One-off artisan work vs mass “upcycled” capsules
Artisan textiles: when a hand-woven or hand-painted panel is used, it’s one-off, sourced directly in small, fair quantities—no dependency and no push for volume.
Not DURGA: scaled “up-cycled” capsules produced to repeat the same pattern across sizes and seasons. DURGA pieces are singular—never replicated, never seasonal - timeless.
Material hierarchy (how choices are made)
Pre-loved garments (first choice)
Local deadstock/leftovers (small quantities)
One-off artisan weaves/painted panels (used sparingly and transparently)
Rare faux-fur trims sourced locally from existing stock (no new animal fur)
Energy & waste in practice
Hand processes keep energy use low; seams are reinforced and pieces are finished by hand so they last.
Offcuts are saved for future repairs, trims, or patchwork—aiming for near-zero studio waste.
Transparency on each piece
Source notes (pre-loved / deadstock / artisan), process summary (what was done by hand), and care & repairguidance.
Questions welcome—ask anything about a garment’s components or origin.
Slow fashion as art therapy (how the design unfolds)
For DURGA, making is a meditative, intuitive process—crochet, embroidery, hand-painting, mending, knitting, and re-composition. The final form emerges rather than being forced, which is why every garment feels personal and alive. This approach grows from Dorit’s background in Reiki, Cosmoenergy, and QHHT—creativity as presence and care.
Signature projects & milestones (proper up-cycling in action)
2013 — Urban Goddesses at Williamsburg Fashion Weekend (NYC)
Early work (under “Shazam Magic by Dorit”) showed upcycled mini-dresses made from vintage scarves.
Gothamist (2013): WFW recap — names “Shazam Magic by Dorit” and Urban Goddesses: https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/photos/photos-williamsburg-fashion-weekend-brings-the-nsfw-weirdness Video: https://youtu.be/NIEXof4avBY
2013 — Ladies Feest, Utrecht
Stage presentation of the Urban Goddesses looks.Video: https://youtu.be/QhhxtBnl_Hg
2014–2015 — “Forgiveness” music video (Xander Productions)
Wardrobe by DURGA for artist Zoe Edge.Video: https://youtu.be/-1Gj_gWBqwc
2015 — Breaking Free (alternative men’s art coats)
One-off upcycled coats created with artists Giorgi Rossi and Cian Muggler.Video: https://youtu.be/FIsEKow9Vrk
2016—Now — Pure Goddess Art Coats (hand-painted & artisan-woven elements)
Weeks of work go into each coat. One example: Amsterdam-painted hemp art panels (by Finnish artist Maarit Hänninen), rare faux-fur bought locally, a hand-woven fine-wool panel obtained directly from a Chin State artisan (Myanmar) in a one-time fair purchase, cotton lining sourced from artisans while traveling in Asia, and hand-knitted details—impossible to replicate.
2016 — Representation at YOSHA Fashion Studio (Prinsengracht 300, Amsterdam)
Boutique presence/showcase.
2017 — ELUXE Magazine Nomination (Los Angeles/Hollywood)
Recognition by the world’s first sustainable luxury magazine.
2018 — Tallinn Showcase (Telliskivi Creative City)
DURGA Coats represented at DHARMA FASHION boutique.
2019 — Up-cycled Yogini (personal wardrobe transformations)
DURGA introduced personal wardrobe upcycling—turning clients’ vintage tracksuits, tees, and hoodies into unique yoga/active-wear sets. Studio film by Ni (JodieZ): https://youtu.be/6C-Bn-41bwY
2019 — Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week (Amsterdam)
Included in the Amsterdam Sustainable Shopping Route and promoted as a sustainable online brand during DSFW 2019 (site structure later changed).DSFW: https://www.dsfw.nl/2019 context: https://fashionunited.nl/nieuws/mode/succesvolle-zesde-editie-van-dutch-sustainable-fashion-week-met-een-blik-op-de-toekomst-van-duurzame-mode/2019102543942
Sep 2019 – Oct 2020 — FAC Shop (Amsterdam, Jodenbreestraat 50)
DURGA catsuits presented at Freespirits And Clubblers.
Editorial feature — PASSENGERS IN TRANCE (FEROCE Magazine, April Vol. 1)
Photography: Negin Sadeghi · Stylist: Julieta Piacenza Vanderhoeven · MUA: Penny Kandilioti · Models: Liz & Iris @ ELVISDesigners featured: Christian Måminski, Spijkers en Spijkers, Annewil Ravensbergen, Marianne Pap, Dorit Kozlovski (DURGA), Olga Jazepova, Topshop, Monki & Weekday.Refs: https://m.facebook.com/ferocemagazine/photos/passengers-in-tranceapril-vol-1-photography-negin-sadeghistylist-julie-apiacenza/1269914259791834/
Apr 2020 — Thoughtful Flamingo Feature
Top 30+ Recycled & Upcycled brands: https://thoughtfulflamingo.com/recycled-upcycled-clothing-brands/
Listed in “Top 30+ Recycled & Upcycled Clothing Brands.”
Etsy — DURGA Universe:
brand story, timeline, shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DurgaUniverse
Musicians & muses
Among the many artists who’ve worn or collaborated with DURGA: photographer Alexandra Krantz, photographer Luca Chiapatti, photographer Elena SanFrancisco, photographer Connie Ramsey, artist Koes Komo, Ann Gichuhi (singer), Sonia Lawicka (model), Kaja Pogodzinska, Riturio (artist), Visual Susana (artist/art direction), singer and artist Zoe Edge, Ramona Catalina, Heidi Pavliska, Clair (Captain Chickenpants), artist Carlos Vamos, artist Synesthetic, Giorgi Rossi, Cian Muggler, Maarit Hänninen, Sasha Kalashnikova, opera singers Wei-Wei Li and Sara Behar.
“Holographic Universe Bag” — recycled plastics craft (Amrita SeRVe)
Pattern by DURGA for Amrita SeRVe: a unique bag assembled from PET bottle bottoms and plastic bags collected on the beach, cut and stitched together with crochet—creative reuse + community education on plastic waste.
Where to find DURGA now (Amsterdam)
See and try one-of-a-kind DURGA pieces at Kokopelli — Warmoesstraat 12, 1012 JD Amsterdam.Website: https://kokopelli.nl/
Custom upcycling (proper up-cycling for your wardrobe)
Have favourite items you no longer wear? DURGA can transform your own pre-loved garments into a new yoga/active-wear set or a statement piece that fits your body and personality. Contact Dorit to discuss Personal Wardrobe Up-cycling.
Follow DURGA (social & channels)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durgauniverse/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DurgaUniverse
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLfLkRHWS-bhD03vraYgr1w
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DurgaUniverse/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/durgauniverse
DURGA — Zero-Waste & Up-Cycling FAQ
Q1: What does “zero-waste” mean here?
Using what already exists—pre-loved garments, leftover and vintage textiles, plus occasional small-batch artisan weaves—so materials stay in use and nothing is produced just to create waste. Work is one-of-a-kind and local (Amsterdam & Kuressaare).
Q2: How is up-cycling different from textile recycling?
Recycling breaks textiles down into fibre; up-cycling transforms the original garment/fabric into a new piece without reprocessing—preserving its character and extending life.
Q3: Are upcycled garments durable and washable?
Yes. Seams are reinforced, linings added where needed, and everything is finished by hand. Care depends on the mix; each piece includes care notes. When unsure: gentle hand-wash or eco-cleaner, air dry.
Q4: How are pre-loved materials prepared?
Pieces are inspected, cleaned and prepped before design. Energy cleaned from previous owners energy. Only quality textiles are used.
Q5: Do you use animal fur?
No new animal fur. Occasionally rare faux-fur trims sourced locally; the focus is longevity and repair—use what exists, buy once, care well.
Q6: Can I bring my own clothes for a bespoke up-cycling project?
Yes—Personal Wardrobe Up-cycling turns favourites into a unique yoga/active-wear set or statement piece. Share photos/measurements to assess feasibility and timeline.
Q7: Where can I try or buy DURGA now?
At Kokopelli, Warmoesstraat 12, 1012 JD Amsterdam. Visit to try on current one-offs, or get in touch for availability.
Q8: How long does a piece take to make?
From several days to a month+ for complex art coats (hand-painting, artisan weaves, knitted details).
Q9: Who makes DURGA pieces?
Dorit (founder/creative director) with trusted collaborators. Small-scale, ethical, no mass production.
Q10: Are DURGA designs seasonal?
No. Every piece is one-of-one and seasonless—made to be worn for years and repaired when needed.
Q11: Is up-cycling always sustainable?
Not automatically. If materials are shipped long distances or chemically reprocessed, the footprint rises. DURGA focuses on local sourcing, handcraft, and keeping materials intact—that’s where up-cycling stays genuinely low-impact.
Q12: Why call out “artisan one-offs”?
Because a hand-woven or hand-painted panel made once (fairly, in small quantity) is different from a mass-produced “artisan-style” fabric. True one-off work is used sparingly, with maker credit, and never scaled into a lookalike line.
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