Repair news and archive

New BFC report underlines commercial benefits of repair and resale

A new report by the British Fashion Council (BFC), in partnership with management consultancy Clarasys, has outlined the commercial and strategic benefits of implementing repair and resale initiatives into a business. The report, titled ‘Customer-Centric Growth: A Playbook for Scaling Repair and Resale in Fashion’, stated that while circularity...

Retail

Golden Goose continues US roll out of ‘Forward’ stores with new Dallas location

Footwear label Golden Goose is continuing the US roll out of its ‘Forward’ store concept, this time bringing the responsibly-minded idea to Dallas. Following the launch of the concept in New York and Miami, Golden Goose has debuted its third US Forward store at luxury shopping destination NorthPark Centre. At the store itself, the brand provides...

Retail

Sojo to expand to France following opening of new repair hubs in London

Repair platform Sojo is set to soon make its international debut in France on the heels of opening new service hubs in two of London’s Westfield shopping centres. The company is set to launch its repair and alteration service ‘Fix & Fit’ at both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City on June 25. Here, customers can book tailoring, repair...

Featured

Background|Interview

Changemakers in fashion (part 1): Thami Schweichler, founder United Repair Centre

There are countless sustainability initiatives, but who in the fashion industry is truly driving the transition—whether or not their efforts are visible to the broader public? We interview changemakers, consultants, sustainable fashion experts, and activists. What can we learn from their work? In episode 1: Thami Schweichler of United Repair...

Fashion

Primark now launches its free clothing repair workshops in the United States

Budget fashion retailer Primark has brought it “Love It for Longer” repair workshops to the USA, initially starting in two markets: Staten Island in New York and Tysons, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. During each free in-store workshop, participants learn simple mending and upcycling techniques like fixing hems, adding buttons or...

Culture

“Mend in Public Day” - when repairing one’s clothes becomes a revolutionary act

Just a generation or two ago, it was common practice to mend an old garment at home – broken zippers, torn knee or elbow areas, ripped hems, loose buttons – none of this was a problem. Every household relied on their darning and sewing utensils, and many even had a sewing machine. Difficult cases were handed over to the trusted tailor, which...

Member

Business

Tom Tailor partners with Dutch repair platform Mended

Almost a year ago, in May 2024, Mended, the Dutch online platform for clothing alterations and repairs, expanded into Germany. Initially, this was through a partnership with Cologne-based sustainable brand Armedangels. This partnership proved so successful, generating 100 repair orders within 15 minutes of launch, that Mended is now...

Featured

Fashion |Opinion

Most consumers know cheap fashion isn’t sustainable—so why do they keep buying it?

Despite growing awareness of the fashion industry's negative impact, consumers continue to purchase affordable, trendy clothes from fast fashion brands and retail giants. Why is that? How can these two realities coexist? The inspiration for this piece comes from a recent article published by Dutch investigative journalism platform De...

Member

Retail

Vivobarefoot launches new ReVivo program with 'Take Back' initiative to recycle sneakers from any brand

Vivobarefoot has launched a new ReVivo program, which sees the minimalist, barefoot-inspired footwear brand take back old, used sneakers from any brand for recycling and is expanding the program to the US and Europe. Designed to help consumers be more aware of their consumption habits and use their shoes for longer, the new initiative offers...

Background

The future of fashion: is less more?

A confession. My original research question was, “What if the fashion industry simply made less clothes?” (Over)production, reducing speed and seasons could be the answer to almost everything?!, was my thought process. As in: for sustainability in the clothing sector and more broadly: in the pursuit of a circular economy (see text frame below)....

Member

Retail

John Lewis to trial repair service with Timpson Group

British department store retailer John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has announced it will trial an in-store garment and homeware repair service as part of a new partnership with Timpson Group-owned Johnsons. From July 22, customers will be able to drop off items to be fixed, altered, cleaned or restored in a bid to encourage product longevity, after...

Member

Business

Marks & Spencer launches clothing repair service with Sojo

British department store retailer Marks & Spencer has launched a clothing repair service in partnership with Sojo as an extension of its Plan A Accelerator Fund to invest in bolstering the circular economy. A dedicated online hub will allow customers to select and book a range of bespoke repair and alteration services, including zip replacements...