In a world where fashion waste is a significant concern, The R Collective has emerged as a social impact business with a bold mission – to end fashion waste. Through their innovative approach of rescuing, reusing, and recycling waste materials, they are creating responsible products and clothing with a conscience. With a collective team of highly-experienced fashion professionals and a partnership with the charity Redress, The Sustainable Fashion Brand is driving the fashion industry towards a circular fashion system that reduces waste and pollution.
About The R Collective
The Hong Kong-based sustainable fashion brand was founded in 2017 by Christina Dean, who is also the founder of Redress, an NGO dedicated to reducing waste in the fashion industry. The R Collective, formerly known as BYT, hopes to transform the fashion industry’s modes of production into more sustainable models by creating high-end clothing from unwanted fashion waste, with the help of talented young designers passionate about changing the world.
Rescuing and Recycling Fashion Waste
One of the core principles of The R Collective is to work alongside top fashion brands and manufacturers to rescue and recycle their luxury fabrics. Every second, a dumper truck of textile waste is either landfilled or burned, polluting the environment. Aiming to play their part by rescuing luxury fabrics destined for waste and reimagining them into cool collections with a conscience.
They collaborate with sustainable-focused designers from around the world, who compete to win the creative role in transforming these rescued materials into new, responsible products.
From Waste to New Yarns and Fabrics
Their commitment to circular fashion extends to the recycling of sensitive fabrics and garments. Often, these materials are unsuitable for reuse due to their distinctive prints, logos, or patterns. However, The R Collective has found innovative solutions to give these fabrics a second life.
They work with trusted recycling partners to shred the fabrics back to their fibre state. These fibres are then transformed into “new” recycled yarns, sometimes blended with virgin materials to improve strength and quality. The R Collective uses these yarns to create a range of fabric materials, including their successful canvas and knits.
The R Collective Mark of Assurance
All of The R Collective’s products carry the R Mark, their hallmark that assures the rescue of waste for reuse or recycling. This mark represents their commitment to sustainability and responsible practices. By verifying waste materials for traceability and transparency in the supply chain, as well as conducting physical and chemical testing for safety and durability, The R Collective ensures the highest standards for their products.
The R Collective Impact
The R Collective’s efforts in circular fashion have not gone unnoticed. They have been rated ‘Great’ on Good on You, a platform that evaluates brands’ ethical and sustainability practices.
Their work has also generated USD25,000 for their sister charity, Redress. Redress is a pioneering environmental charity that aims to transform textile waste in the fashion industry. Through collaborations with designers, manufacturers, brands, educational bodies, government, and consumers, Redress actively promote new models and drive towards a more sustainable industry via the circular movement.
Making a Difference Together
The R Collective’s focus on giving back extends beyond their commitment to reducing waste and pollution. They donate 25% of their profits to Redress, supporting the charity’s work in educating the industry and consumers about circular fashion and reducing waste in the fashion industry. Through their collaborations with brands and their dedication to delivering impact, The R Collective is actively working towards creating a lasting environmental change in the fashion industry.
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