Although the size of the pile may seem shocking, Aurianne Ricquier, the director of Redress’ circular fashion program, claims that it only accounts for a small portion of the daily textile waste that is thrown away in Hong Kong.
Some of the clothes in this field have never been worn, she says while holding up a major with tags hanging from it.
The clothes generate, which was organized as part of the city’s largest clothing consumer awareness campaign, Find Redressed Month, was the catalyst for the collection.
Past “next life” campaigns have been effective: in 2022, Getting Redressed Month collected 16.2 tonnes of clothes, with 60 per cent redistributed to Redress’ donation partners and 17 per cent resold at Redress ‘ pop- up shop.
Garments donated in its most recent generate will either be repurposed, resold, repaired or recycled, says Ricquier.
Giving away undesirable clothing results in the return of it so that it can be reused by people, she says. “Some will be distributed among Redress ‘ community of charity lovers, or properly downcycled”. Clothing can be shredded and used again as shielding during this process.
Redress pop-up at Lincoln House in Taikoo Place did become resold at prices of $18 to $23. High-quality items like designer clothing and those made of cheap materials will be available.
“People will have the chance to buy from our large selection of inexpensive, good second- hand clothing and accessories – there is something for everyone, and you’ll be saving carbon emissions with your ‘fresh’ pieces”, Ricquier says.
Some people believe that second-hand clothing is comparable to what can be found at a flea market, but our pop-up has everyone professionally cleaned, steamed, and color-coded, she says. “It’s done properly but the buyers have an entertaining buying experience.”
If the increase in the popularity of clothes-swapping events is anything to go by, attitudes appear to be changing.
The fashion industry has a significant environmental impact, but we think there are many fantastic options and choices emerging, according to Georgie Harvey Ross, chairman of the community-run Swop Society, which organizes pop-up transfer events throughout Hong Kong. On June 23, the following Circular Fashion Fair will take place at the Hong Kong Island venue SoHo House in Sheung Wan.
Harvey Ross says the purpose of the Circular Fashion Fair is to inspire people to reevaluate their fashion purchasing habits and discover the incredible potential of the circular fashion movement.
Take Out Plastic, a non-profit organization that promotes circular fashion initiatives in Hong Kong, also pledges to reduce fabric waste through its second-hand clothing exchange, Top Swop.
Consumers are encouraged to purchase fewer, better-quality items and keep them for longer by the song.
These are important messages, says Kitty Tam, programme lead of Hong Kong 2050 is Now. According to her, the typical consumer purchases 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago, with each piece storing for half as long.
“Based on our annual youth programmes, we have observed that students show a strong interest in making fashion sustainable”, Tam says.
“I hope that this enjoyable collaboration will help us reach out to more young people and demonstrate that looking good and doing good can coexist.”
The human cost of fast fashion cannot be discounted either, with the industry dependent on an underdeveloped labor force in developing nations where workers are frequently underpaid, overworked, and subject to dangerous working conditions.
” edress Secondhand Pop- Up”, June 18- June 23, Tue- Fri, 11am- 8pm, Sat- Sun, 11am- 6pm, 11/F, Lincoln House, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay.
“Circular Fashion Fair”, June 23, 11am- 6pm, 30/F Pool Room, Soho House, 33 Des Voeux Rd W, Sheung Wan.