In celebration of Earth Month, we are proud to team up with Rethread in a collaborative effort to push sustainability in fashion, forward.
We have Alexa Schempers on the green seat, chatting about Rethread's efforts towards sustainability and why the Rethread x Wisi-Oi Collab.
A South African first, where upcycled meets resell fashion.
"Working together means we strengthen our own offering and take additional steps toward providing new options for our customers to become better consumers.
It is the collective efforts of business and consumers that push sustainability in fashion, forward." - Alexa Shempers - Founder: Rethread
What is Rethread as a brand?
Rethread is a fashion brand - our mission is to marry circular fashion design with contemporary style & we do so mostly through upcycling!
We also create a small collection of new garments that we call ‘sustainably made’ they are all produced locally in Cape Town, in small quantities. Apart from that, we curate some pre-loved garments that are sold with the rest of our own branded pieces.
What was your inspiration behind starting a sustainable business?
A few years ago I started my journey to become a more ‘conscious’ consumer. I have always loved fashion & shopping but after learning more about sustainability in the fashion industry I decided to seek out more sustainable ways to continue to express myself through fashion.
On my journey to a more sustainable wardrobe, I found that there were very few brands that were sustainable but still “cool”. That's when I discovered resale. Buying & selling second-hand clothes allowed me to have ‘newness’ in my wardrobe without the negative impact on the environment.
I then took that a step further and discovered upcycling! So I thought let me combine all of these elements and create what I felt was missing in the fashion industry, Rethread! A brand that marries sustainability & STYLE!
WHERE DID YOUR PASSION FOR FASHION STEM FROM?
I kind of feel like my passion for fashion has just always been there! Since I can remember I was obsessed with clothes & dressing up. My mom tells me that I would always put together the most ridiculous outfits for pre-school, unbothered by what anyone else thought or said.
My go-to look for some time was my pj’s, with Adidas slides + socks and a fur shawl that I called “kattie”. Haha Don't ask! I love that fashion gives you a voice, a way to communicate who you are and what your about.
Why the Rethread x Wisi-Oi Collab?
At Rethread, we are realists. We know that being 100 % sustainable doesn't happen overnight - not as businesses and also not as consumers.
Working together means we strengthen our own offering and take additional steps toward providing new options for our customers to become better consumers.
It is the collective efforts of businesses and consumers that push sustainability in fashion, forward, but it is our responsibility as brands to create those options so that our customers have the options to make BETTER choices.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR RETHREAD?
We want to be the leading refashion (upcycling) brand in Africa (dare we say the world?). We are here to make the biggest impact we can possibly can & make upcycling & secondhand everyone's first choice.
Over time we want 80% of our collection to be upcycled + pre-loved and all of our new garments to be made from recycled & sustainable materials.
What are 3 sustainable fashion tips that you would give to someone who is interested in being more sustainable in their fashion choices?
- Buy less!!! No fashion ‘hauls’, please!
- Invest in things you know you will wear often & that will LAST.
- If you need something for an event, rent it!
- When you do a wardrobe cleanout donate or resell your clothes!
- If something is broken, get it mended - or learn how to mend it yourself.
- If something seems to good to be true, it probably is! When your buying clothes that cost next to nothing you are most likely supporting the wrong business (unless it’s second hand).
- STOP BUYING FROM SHEIN!!!!
- Oh sorry, that was 8!
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