Refried Apparel is getting in on the Earth Day action this year having signed an exclusive partnership with the US sporting brand, Champion to deliver a unique, upcycled collection honouring this month’s special event.
In an extension of Champion’s ongoing and evolving commitment to sustainability and innovation, the brand will be tapping into the creative powers of Refried Apparel to deliver a unique collection of upcycled apparel just for Earth Day.
A Products of Change member based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Refried Apparel is comprised of a team of fashion and apparel designers and skilled seamstresses that works to rescue deadstock and damaged clothing from landfill or incineration and using the material to create unique, upcycled items and collections.
According to the most recent EPA data, the US generates over 17 million tonnes of textile waste per year. It’s an alarming fact that 66% of all unwanted clothing in the region ends up in landfill, while less than 15% of it is recycled.
Playing its part to provide one solution, Refried Apparel now works with some of the best-known brands on the planet, from Major League Baseball and the NFL to Macy’s and the Girl Scouts of America. From these companies, the team will acquire ‘dead stock’, use it to create unique pieces – be it clothing, bags, or accessories – and sell it back to retail at a premium.
The Champion Earth Day collection from Refried Apparel will launch on April 22.
“Through this amazing partnership and our shared commitment to reducing landfill waste, we are giving new life to unsalable or excess clothing that’s invariably ripe for creative design and upcycle potential,” said Mark Litos, co-founder of Refried Apparel.
“Thanks to the leadership at Champion for your vision, passion, and opportunity to co-create refreshing styles and one-of-a-kind pieces for in-store programmes and limited capsules collections for a unique online offering.
“We are grateful for this partnership and befitting timeline to demonstrate our support for environmental protection on this international holiday.”
