The Overlooked "Re" in Circularity

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. We hear it all the time, but there’s one missing piece to that circularity jingle: Repair.

On both a corporate and an individual level, we must turn to preserving the pieces that we have instead of discarding them in a landfill. When I love a piece, I wear it into the ground and eventually find myself accidentally tearing a hole, loosening a hem stitch, or losing a button. Our grandparents religiously repaired their clothes, treating them like the valuables they are. But as the fashion industry evolved, the quality that was upheld in their and our parents’ generation began to fade. Not all products, even made by the same brand, are created equal. Pieces from J.Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, and Abercrombie & Fitch made in the 1990s and early 2000s are better quality than they are today. What happened? Fast fashion exploded.?

In the last 20 years, as mass production has risen, costs have decreased, and trends have multiplied into micro-trends. On average, a fast-fashion item lasts only seven wears before it starts to disintegrate, losing its color, shape, and composition. Fast fashion has skewed our perception of The True Cost of our goods. For the same price, we were made to believe that we are better off buying something new than repairing the piece we already have. But the impact of that dangerous psychological sales tactic is a devastating, overwhelming, global crisis that we are still attempting to cope with daily.??

Luckily, as the global consciousness is finally shifting the pendulum back, consumers are demanding high quality, long-lasting pieces, whether it’s a vintage or new. When we invest in durable products, we must learn to take care of them. Now, I’m on the side of TikTok where Gen Z is churning butter, thrifting gems, repurposing various articles of clothing, and yes, mending their own clothes. On Instagram , my #satisfying content is The Restory ’s meticulous repairs of luxury goods. What I’ve learned is that the lack of repairs as common practice is a two-part problem. There is both a lack of knowledge of what repairs can be done to restore a piece and how to best execute those repairs. I’d like to help resolve this in my own community by sharing companies that are making a big difference locally and across the country for both individuals and businesses.?

For Individuals (LA local)?

I feel fortunate to have discovered a friendship and partnership at Prestige Cleaners in Santa Monica when I moved to LA more than eight years ago. Their services include eco-friendly dry cleaning, tailoring, and specialty repairs, and they are generously giving all BRRWSCTY members 25% off. They even have partners that handle specialty suede and leather goods, and they are the trusted dry cleaning partner for 5-star luxury hotels in Los Angeles.?

For Individuals (US based)?

LEATHER SPA in New York is as luxurious as it sounds. It specializes in skilled repairs and care needs for bags, shoes, and leather accessories. Working with fine leather for some of the most demanding clientele in the world, your pieces are in very, very good hands.

Tailored by Ornela is the shop of Ornela Flamuri , one of the most skilled tailors in New York City. She performs just short of sheer magic on any piece you bring into the shop. Regardless of fabric or request, she’ll redesign or alter your piece in a way you never thought possible.?

For Brands?

Whether products arrive incorrectly from the manufacturer, receive natural wear and tear in-store, or, especially in light of natural disasters, get damaged in shipping or somewhere along the supply chain, most companies deal with imperfect products. (Re)vive | B-Corp Certified repairs 90% of these garments back to near-perfect quality. Brands sell them at 100% MSRP with an added quality guarantee. With clients like Reformation , Sézane , Faherty Brand , and more, founder Allison Lee has hit her stride in providing this incredible service for brands. They are not only able to transform what was once-defined-as unsellable products into profit, but they’re also reducing waste by diverting them from landfills.?

At-Home Repairs

Were you born with the “how hard could it be gene” as Elyse Myers famously quoted on TikTok ? Then we are kindred spirits. Here is my go-to list of home repair, refresh, storage, and product cleaning essentials:

Leather CPR cleanser and conditioner

Leather balsam?

Depilling tool

Jewelry cleaner?

Microfiber cloth

Belt hole puncher

Velvet hangers

Sewing kit?

Measuring tape

Fabric scissors

Deodorant removing sponge

Wrinkle releaser?

Anti-static spray

Lint remover

Temporary Hem Tape

Makeup Protector Hood

Anti-Moth Natural Cedar Wood Blocks

Leather Detail Kit

Leather solution for cleaning & waterproofing?

Horse hair brush?

Sponge?

Jewelry storage case

What other companies and products should I know about? Let me know at [email protected]

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