Recently, Instagrammer Putri Samboda has gone viral once again after sharing a video of her underwear bag!

Hear us out before you find this off-putting! According to the young fashionista with her own quirky sense of style, the handbag is made of unworn panties. In fact, she has been using the bag without a single person noticing that it is made out of panties.

Image source via Instagram @putrisamboda

Putri Samboda, an Indonesian internet personality, has been turning recycled waste into fashion products such as bags, shoes and necklaces for some time now. Like everyone else who has been stuck indoors due to Covid-19, Putri was stuck in her apartment alone as a student in the United States in 2020. And just as many have taken up new hobbies during the lockdown, Putri's pandemic project was transforming trash and unused items into wearable fashion pieces.

In an interview with VICE, she has shared that it was her "healthy way to destress and kill time." She started by making her own face mask with some old clothes when there was still a shortage. From there, she began to upcycle your everyday common goods' trash and shared her creations on Instagram.

Putri Samboda's first upcycled products in 2020. Image source via Putri Samboda Instagram

During the lockdown, one of her earliest projects was decorating her kitten heels with the classic white rabbit candy wrappers many Asians are familiar with. In fact, her very first upcycling piece was a bag made out of Khong Guan's vintage biscuit tin.

"Back in 2018, I wore my Khong Guan [biscuit] tin bag almost everywhere. I knew for sure people were staring and secretly taking pics, but I didn't really care as I enjoyed wearing it. I don't really go out as much now because of the pandemic, but when I do, I always try to incorporate my upcycled pieces into my wardrobe", shared Putri to The Jakarta Post. 

Who would have thought of making a bag out of a biscuit tin or a flour sack? Image source via Instagram @putrisamboda

Since she started posting her creations in June 2020 on Instagram, Putri has received positive responses from all around. As of writing, the Yogyakarta student of American University in Washington, DC, now has over 19.K followers.

Who could have ever imagined that our favourite instant noodles packaging can be turned into a wearable style statement? Since her Indomie pair of shorts, Putri has created multiple products using the wrapper of Indonesia's most popular instant noodle brand. Noticed that she has an Indomie customised license plate too? Judging by the amount of Indomie packaging she has used for her upcycling fashion, she has got to be a huge fan of the instant noodle!

Recycling Samyang and Indomie instant noodle packaging into chic garments. Image source via Instagram @putrisamboda

Putri revealed to SAYS that she is actually self-taught. She does not have a fashion background, and she learnt her sewing techniques from YouTube. As for how long it takes for her to complete a piece, it depends on the material she is working with.

Gucci styled McDonald's paper bag loafers and a trendy rice sack skirt in the spirit of sustainable fashion? Why not? Image source via Instagram @putrisamboda

Many fans have been asking Putri to sell her upcycling fashion products. Unfortunately, for now, it is all in the name of fun and love for sustainable fashion, and the pieces are for her own personal collection.

"I am now upcycling to channel my creativity and also to minimize my fashion waste. I also love wearing one-of-a-kind fashion items, so by designing my own clothes and accessories, I can achieve that," she said.

Upcycling clothing has been a growing trend as part of the sustainable fashion movement to reduce garment waste in our environment. What Putri has accomplished is not only repurposing clothing but making ready-to-wear fashion from recycled consumption waste! She has proven that one does not need to be an environmentalist to make a difference.

Comes the day when the talented Indonesian decides to step into the world of fashion professionally; you can bet that the name Putri Samboda will be known!