Giving a new twist to sustainable goods, DHL Express has tapped the fashion designer Eric Wong to reimagine retired uniforms into a limited-run collection.
Starting Monday, the DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection is being sold via The Absurd Laboratory’s online store, Midwest Vintage stores and the Redress Closet. Funds from the purchases will support Redress, an organization that is dedicated to empowering sustainable designers. Wong’s creations were made from some of the uniforms that were previously worn by DHL Express’ 100,000 or so staffers.
The environmentally minded Wong, who is a Hong Kong-based fashion designer, who won last year’s Redress Design Award 2025 “DHL GoGreen Plus Alumni Prize.” He started the Absurd Laboratory in 2012. As its name suggests, the company’s philosophy is guided by the idea that “Life is absurd.” The brand specializes in wearable experimental fashion that reimagines life with a fresh, one-of-a-kind perspective.
DHL Express, a global logistics company, delivers approximately 1.8 billion parcels annually, which amounts to about 5 million packages a day. Aside from its shipping ties to many brands, designers and consumers, DHL Express is not new to the fashion scene, having teamed up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America a couple of years ago to support young talent. Black Boy Knits’ founder Jacques Agbobly won the DHL Logistics in Fashion prize and was awarded a $15,000 grant and mentoring opportunities in 2022.
For the fiscal year 2025, DHL Express generated 82.9 million euros — a slight decline compared to FY2024’s 84.2 million euros.
Unisex clogs and a sling bag are a few of the designs that Eric Wong has created for DHL Express.
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Designed in the delivery service’s signature brand colors of bright yellow and red, the “DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection” features such fashion accessories as Birkenstock-looking unisex clogs in considerably brighter colors instead of natural hues. Just as the upcycled uniforms were once worn by people, Wong’s collaborative range carries human-sounding first names.
The assortment looks nothing like the DHL Express-issued cargo pants and polo shirts that the company’s couriers wore at one time. Wong has repurposed the pieces by deconstructing them and creating unconventional finds like the $65 Bailey bucket hat that doubles as a sling bag. There are also two bear pendants with movable limbs — the $32 Felix and the $52 Frankie. The compact assortment amps up the contemporary style that Wong specializes in.
The alliance includes a partnership with the Hong Kong-based environmental NGO Redress for a charitable sale of the collection. All of the profits will be donated to strengthen Redress’ work in advancing emerging creatives through its network of alumni, who value sustainability and circularity.
In keeping with its green theme, all overseas orders will be shipped using the GoGreen Plus service, which enables shippers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of sustainable aviation fuel. Wong, who could not be reached Monday, has worked with Midwest in recent years to create a bolder vintage remade collection. The forward-thinking creative’s outlook has included being inspired by the natural beauty of hair for his Eco Chic Design Award showcase that featured braided details, intricate strands and sculptural designs.
Andy Chiang, senior vice president and managing director of DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau, said, “We are proud to stand alongside Redress in advancing sustainability and circularity efforts in Hong Kong’s fashion industry.
In a statement, Wong said that he wanted “to give overlooked materials a new narrative — creating contemporary, desirable accessories with a strong story of sustainability and circular design.”
