FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• WHAT IS FASHION UPCYCLING?
Fashion Upcycling is taking a used or unwanted item of clothing or accessory and converting it to something of higher value.
• WHY DO WE NEED TO UPCYCLE FASHION?
Fashion Industry creates an enormous amount of waste. According to the 2018 Pulse of the Fashion Industry report from Global Fashion Agenda and Boston Consulting Group, only 60% of what is made is sold. Can you believe that? Of the 60% that is sold, a lot of clothing doesn't live its intended lifetime due to misfits, minor defects, or style mismatches. Extending the life of a garment by nine months reduces its total carbon, water, and waste footprint by 20-30%. When you upcycle clothing, you will be doing your part in reducing your carbon footprint
• HOW CAN I REDUCE MY CARBON FOOTPRINT?
1. Consume less -- Pause before you hit that Amazon button. Ask yourself "Do I really need this?" Do I already own something that I can make work? Is it something I can rent instead? If you only need it once -- is it something, you can borrow from your community.
2. Buy quality clothing that will last longer. You will also be paying fair share wages to the people/makers behind the products so they can also live a dignified life.
3. Buy pieces that could be worn multiple different ways, with different pieces and in multiple seasons.
4. Buy natural fabrics like cotton, linen, flax, hemp as much as possible. Avoid polyester and nylon-based fabrics.
5. Before you give away clothing to Goodwill ask yourself if you could upcycle it or even downcycle. A worn t-shirt could be converted to a cleaning rag for example. A bunch T-shirt strips could be assembled to make a mop.
6. Don't fall prey to fancy wasteful packaging -- unless you are giving it as a gift.