The key to a sustainable and quality wardrobe
Find out Jan 6th @ FABSCRAP
Welcome to Better Together’s bi-weekly newsletter, where we believe that the more we work together, the greater impact we can have! Stemming from the merger of FABSCRAP and Reclypt, a significant step for the future of circular fashion in NYC, this newsletter encourages and provides a platform for the industry to be better together.
🧶 IDENTIFYING FABRIC
FABSCRAP has packed the next 3 months with 11 events to deepen your understanding of fabric for a more sustainable and quality wardrobe! All experiences and skill levels are welcome.
Why Fabric Matters
What’s “sustainable” for you might not be the same for someone else. But what we can all agree on is that understanding fabric—its composition, uses, and lifecycle—is key to making choices that align with your values and goals.
Check out the Event Package for access to all the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to confidently understand the clothes you wear and work with.
I’m most excited for our 3-part workshop series!
Combining skill building with resource sharing and designed for you to confidently understand the clothes you wear for a more sustainable and quality wardrobe.
At these hands-on, knowledge-building workshops, you will learn with the FABSCRAP community as we use all of our senses to identify fibers, explore hand-weaving, and learn how to knit!
***Each workshop includes a Fabric Journal, your essential guide to the world of fibers, woven, and knits. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll cover:
January 6th : Fibers - Learn to identify natural, synthetic, and blended fibers, their unique benefits, and their environmental impacts.
February 3rd: Weaves- Discover the art of weaving and how fabric structure influences durability, breathability, and care. + Hand-weaving!
March 3rd: Knits - Explore the beauty of knits, how they’re made, and how to recognize and work with them confidently. + Learn the basics of knitting!
🔗Textile Resources
Let’s Recycle Right New York - here’s where to start with textiles
Goodwill® and Reju™ Announce Plans to Help Advance Textile Recycling in North America in Collaboration with WM
Emerging Insights into Textile Waste Management in New York: A Collaborative Report by CSMM and RRS
Texworld NYC introduced “Industry Insight Series”, with The Sustainable Fashion Forum Jan 21 at the Javits Center.
Vogue: The US finally acknowledges textile waste in a new report. More on this in “What We’re Reading” below.
Tik Tok: How perceived sustainability influences consumers’ clothing preferences
The Fashion and Race Database is exploring the myriad ways in which the body, dress and material objects are used (and have been used historically) as a form of control.
FABSCRAP PANEL - The Microplastic Paradox: Navigating Sustainable Textiles (2/19)
📰 What We’re Reading
“TO DYE FOR”
FABSCRAP’s inaugural book club selection! Not only a great read that is wonderfully written but deeply impactful. Author, Alden Wicker (also founder of Ecocult), had her TV interview cancelled because the news org’s lawyers were scared they would get sued by the petrochemical and fashion industries! I truly don’t even know where to begin as this book covers case studies, history, effects on fertility, the autoimmune epidemic, lack of standards or reporting for chemicals, and how we can protect ourselves. Grab a copy now and start reading to join our book club discussion on Wednesday March 19th. Location TBD, if you’re interested in hosting, please reach out!
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TEXTILE WASTE REPORT
A much needed report from Government Accountability Offices (GAO), which recommends that Congress consider providing direction to a federal entity (or entities) to coordinate and take federal action to reduce textile waste and advance textile recycling. As our publication and mission suggests, we are excited to see collaboration as a key recommendation to tackle textile waste in the states. GAO is also making 7 recommendations to 6 federal entities, including that they coordinate through an interagency mechanism that follows leading practices.
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GOOD-BYE SUSTAINABILITY?
Fantastic read about the cooling off of “sustainability” from both consumers and fashion CEOs. Forbes has noted that various reports are highlighted growing consumer fatigue and skepticism on the topic. Personally, I’m glad it’s not only me who is feeling conflicted on how and why to prioritize sustainability. This article points to “wars and recessions, cost of living crisis, the political upheaval, [as] all those things create a lot of uncertainty and a lack of safety in individuals.” as a reason for this. Meanwhile, reports show pessimistic outlook for sustainability among executives for the coming year too.
Thanks for reading, hope to see you soon,
Rachel
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