What does it take to turn fifty feet of green screen fabric into a symbol of creativity and sustainability? For Joshua McGarvey, it’s about seeing potential in the overlooked. His latest collection, The Key, reimagines this fluorescent material—formerly part of a museum exhibition—into bold handbags that merge function with artistry.
More than just a new accessory line, The Key is a pivotal moment for McGarvey’s circular design studio, Uselding Fridays, and a masterclass in how sustainable fashion can turn waste into beauty while telling a meaningful story.
Joshua McGarvey: Championing Sustainable Design
Walking into McGarvey’s studio feels less like entering a fashion workspace and more like stepping into an artist’s archive. Scraps of fabric, rusted chains, and forgotten toys are scattered about—a treasure trove waiting to be transformed. For McGarvey, these are not remnants of the past; they are raw materials for reinvention. "I am inspired by what I find, especially when I don’t know what I’m looking for," he says, gesturing to a moth-eaten wool coat draped on a nearby chair.
The designer’s process is as intuitive as it is inventive. He begins with discovery, letting the objects he finds dictate their future. "It’s an engaging journey of combining fragments and pieces to discover new forms and designs," he explains.
His work reflects a philosophy of balance. Each creation combines high and low materials, visual harmony, and emotional resonance. It’s fashion that speaks to the past while imagining a vibrant, innovative future.
Why Handbags?
Known for his avant-garde clothing, McGarvey’s move into accessories is a bold step—but one that feels perfectly timed. The Key is his first handbag collection, representing a fresh model for his design practice. "Handbags are perfect for blending creativity with practicality," he explains. "They allow me to connect with people’s lives in a different way."
The intimacy of handbags is what drew McGarvey to this medium. These are items people carry every day, close to their bodies, filled with personal belongings. "I’ve always wanted to make bags," he admits, adding, "This just felt like the right time to try something new."
From Museum Floors to Everyday Life
The green screen fabric at the heart of The Key collection is anything but ordinary. It first appeared in McGarvey’s 2022 exhibition, Posturing, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. In this installation, the fabric served as a backdrop for sculptures exploring identity, technology, and human connection to screens. "When the exhibition ended, I had fifty feet of green screen sitting in storage," McGarvey recalls. "I thought about making a dress out of it, but it wanted to be a bag."
Original exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), where the fabric for The Key collection was first showcased.
The green screen, designed for projecting imagined worlds in film and video, now has a new life as a tangible, everyday object. This transformation reflects McGarvey’s ethos: to see potential in the discarded and to turn utilitarian materials into striking works of art.
Balancing Art and Function
McGarvey’s handbags strike a delicate balance between utility and sculpture. They are visually arresting, with bold shapes and an alien-like green hue, but they’re also functional, designed for real-world use.
"Creating things that people wear on their bodies is a beautiful practice," McGarvey says. "Functionality is important, but so is challenging what’s expected in design."
Lightweight, durable, and easy to carry, each bag in The Key collection is made with the user in mind. At the same time, the aesthetic choices push the boundaries of traditional accessory design, ensuring every piece is a statement.
Storytelling in Sustainable Fashion
One of McGarvey’s greatest strengths as a designer is his ability to weave narratives into his work. Each piece in The Key tells a story, starting with the material’s original purpose.
"The green screen material is emblematic of limitless possibilities," he explains. "Repurposing it into handbags celebrates the infinite potential of creativity and reinvention."
In its previous life, the fabric helped create fictional worlds on screen. In its current form, it becomes a part of real people’s lives, carrying both their belongings and the legacy of its transformation.
Even the name, The Key, carries multiple layers of meaning. "It’s a nod to chroma-key technology," McGarvey says. "But it’s also a metaphor for unlocking creativity and seeing the extraordinary in the mundane."
Video: Joshua McGarvey
A Commitment to Circular Design
For McGarvey, sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s a commitment. His studio operates on the principles of circular design, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Each Key handbag comes with a lifetime repair guarantee.
"You just contact us, ship it back, and we’ll fix it for free," he says.
This policy not only extends the life of each piece but also reinforces the studio’s dedication to building long-term relationships with its customers. "We want our patrons to know they’re part of a community," McGarvey adds.
Beyond the Bag: Building a Community
For McGarvey, creating handbags is about more than just design—it’s about fostering connection. With only ten handbags available in this limited-edition collection, owning a piece from The Key is an invitation into an exclusive creative circle.
Buyers of The Key handbags gain access to curated events, including backyard film screenings, intimate performances, and fashion shows. To deepen the personal connection, each bag comes with an exclusive video created by McGarvey himself, offering insights into the collection’s narrative and the journey of the green screen fabric. These moments, crafted by McGarvey, ensure that owning a bag feels as immersive and meaningful as the design itself.
"I love creating objects, but I also love creating moments," he says. This emphasis on community transforms the act of purchasing a handbag into something more—a collaboration between artist and audience, blending artistry, storytelling, and shared experiences.
Looking to the Future
While The Key represents a significant step in McGarvey’s career, it’s clear he’s just getting started. His future plans include collaborating with like-minded artists and brands, exploring new materials, and experimenting with emerging technologies.
"The goal is to inspire while staying true to what matters," he says.
The Power of Reinvention
One anecdote from McGarvey perfectly illustrates his philosophy. Years ago, he came across a damaged leather jacket—worn, outdated, and seemingly unsalvageable. Instead of discarding it, he spent months reworking the piece, adding denim patches and mismatched buttons. "Years later, I saw someone wearing it at an art opening," he recalls. "It had become their favorite jacket, and they didn’t even know it was mine." This belief in reinvention is what drives McGarvey’s work. With The Key, he challenges us to rethink waste, to embrace transformation, and to see beauty in the unexpected.
A Testament to Creativity
Joshua McGarvey’s handbags are more than just accessories; they’re symbols of possibility. With The Key, he has unlocked a new way of thinking about fashion—one that values sustainability, storytelling, and the endless potential of the human imagination.
Whether carried to the office, an art gallery, or a dinner party, these bags carry more than just belongings—they carry the promise of reinvention.
Accessing The Key
For those eager to own one of these extraordinary handbags, The Key is being unveiled in a truly unique way. From December 13th to 15th, McGarvey will host an exclusive installation at a secret location, offering guests the rare opportunity to interact with the collection and meet the artist himself.
The event is designed to be more than just a showcase; it’s an immersive experience. Visitors will explore the narrative behind The Key, explore the handbags, and witness the transformation of the green screen fabric into wearable art. McGarvey will be on-site to share his vision, answer questions, and offer personal insights into the creation of this inaugural collection.
Attendance is by invitation only, ensuring an intimate setting for potential buyers and art enthusiasts to connect with McGarvey’s world. This unveiling underscores the exclusivity of The Key collection, creating a memorable and personal experience for those who attend.
For updates and details about the event, keep an eye on McGarvey’s social channels or join the Uselding Fridays mailing list. With only ten handbags available, The Key promises to be as rare and remarkable as the event itself.
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