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Reskinned X Fanfare - Circular Fashion in Action

23 Sep 2024

Reuse with Fanfare

At Reskinned, our mission has always been to divert as many textiles as possible from ending up in landfill. If an item isn’t quite right for resale but still holds value, we partner with brands that can repurpose it, ensuring it finds a new life. One such partner is Fanfare Label, an award-winning sustainable fashion brand that redefines circularity by using recycled and repurposed textiles. In this blog, we chat with Fanfare’s founder, Esther Knight, to learn more about the inspiration behind the brand and their new collection, its approach to using old denim, and how they’re making waves in sustainable fashion.

What inspired you to start Fanfare?

Fanfare was born out of a passion for sustainable fashion and a desire to disrupt the traditional fashion industry. I wanted to create a brand that not only offered unique, stylish pieces but also promoted eco-consciousness. After working in the fashion industry and seeing the environmental impact firsthand, I knew there was a better way to produce clothing - one that considers both the planet and the people involved. Fanfare aims to lead by example, showing that fashion can be both innovative and sustainable.

Why did you decide to use old denim as the foundation for your designs?

Denim is a highly durable fabric, yet it’s one of the most resource-intensive to produce, requiring huge amounts of water and chemicals. We saw an opportunity to repurpose denim and give it a second life, rather than contributing to the cycle of overproduction. By using old denim as the foundation for our designs, we’re reducing textile waste and creating pieces that are unique and carry a story with them. The versatility and strength of denim made it the perfect material for our upcycling approach.

Can you walk us through the process of turning pre-loved denim into new pieces?

The process starts with sourcing pre-loved denim, which we carefully inspect for quality. Once we have the pieces, we deconstruct them - removing zippers, buttons, and any damaged parts. The denim is then cut into new shapes or patchwork designs, depending on the aesthetic we’re going for. After that, the pieces are sewn together to create new garments, sometimes incorporating modern details like embroidery, dyes, or unique stitching. Finally, each piece goes through quality control to ensure it meets our standards before it’s released to customers.

How do you approach sourcing old denim?

We partner with organisations and textile recyclers that help us source high-quality pre-loved denim. We also accept denim donations from our customers, which allows them to be a part of the sustainability journey. By working with suppliers that align with our values, we ensure that the materials we use are responsibly sourced and that we’re making a real impact in reducing waste.

How does your brand tackle the issue of overconsumption and promote mindful buying practices among consumers?

At Fanfare, we focus on slow fashion, meaning we create timeless, durable pieces that are made to last. Our designs are versatile, so they can be worn across seasons and styled in multiple ways. We also educate our customers about the environmental impact of fast fashion and encourage them to invest in fewer, higher-quality pieces that they truly love. Through our repair services and take-back programmes, we aim to extend the life of garments and reduce the need for constant purchasing.

What role do you think sustainable denim can play in changing consumer habits and driving the fashion industry toward more eco-friendly practices?

Sustainable denim has the power to shift the mindset of both consumers and the industry. When people understand the resources required to make new denim and see the beauty in upcycled or responsibly made pieces, they’re more likely to make thoughtful choices. By proving that high-quality, fashionable clothing can be made sustainably, brands like Fanfare are pushing the industry toward more responsible practices. Sustainable denim can be a gateway for consumers to explore other sustainable fashion options and reduce their overall consumption.

Can you tell us more about your new collection?

Yes! We work with an incredible partner – Reskinned – to source our wastage denim and other upcycled pieces. We are predominately a denim brand which is why the partnership with Reskinned is so key, we need a constant supply of good quality wastage denim to work back into the system and create our pieces. The team go to Reskinned can sort through all the denim wastage, separating it into different washes and checking this through. More recently we have been working on how we expand our product range in this area, which makes this shirt launch so exciting.

Our new launch is a reimagined upcycled shirt that embodies our commitment to sustainability and style. It’s made entirely from repurposed shirts and designed with a relaxed yet modern silhouette. We’ve added unique details like asymmetrical stitching and custom embroidery to give it a distinct look. The shirt is versatile enough to be worn casually or dressed up, making it a perfect staple for any wardrobe. With this launch, we’re continuing our mission to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are both fashionable and eco-friendly.

By expanding into shirts and jackets we can re-purpose more wastage clothing headed for landfill and make our upcycled clothing offering truly unique.

In collaboration with brands like Fanfare Label, we're continuing our mission to keep fashion circular by giving garments a second life. By salvaging and repurposing textiles like old shirts, we’re able to extend the life cycle of clothes and reduce the amount of waste heading to landfills. With Fanfare’s innovative upcycling approach and our commitment to reusing materials, we’re showing that sustainable fashion can be stylish, practical, and environmentally responsible. Together, we’re not just promoting sustainability - we’re actively reshaping the fashion industry, one pre-loved piece at a time.

Want to get involved in creating a more sustainable fashion future? Shop pre-loved from your favourite brands here, or send us your old clothes via our takeback scheme and we’ll give you a reward voucher to spend at one of your favourite brands.

Sign up to Reskinned to find out more about what we do and be the first to find out when drops are happening from the brands you love.

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