AILEEN’S UNIFORM ATLAS
The Pulse is pleased to present Aileen’s Uniform Atlas, a recurring feature written by Aileen Out.
Out is the owner of Prettybusiness, a news blog in the Netherlands that focuses exclusively on work clothing.
Those looking to give their old workwear a second life often face numerous questions and challenges. How will it be recycled? Who will handle the process? And how much will it cost? DHL decided to delegate all that planning. They let young designers come up with ideas, execute them, and even handle the sales.
Giving Old Workwear a New Purpose
For this project, the courier company collaborated with Redress, an organization that supports young fashion designers with sustainable ambitions. One of Redress’s initiatives is to partner with businesses to organize design competitions, and DHL joined forces with them for just such a project.
During this competition, designers had to show how they would repurpose old uniforms worn by couriers. Hong Kong-based designer Angus Tsui ultimately created the winning collection. His designs included a wallet and two bags made from old clothing such as trousers, jackets, and raincoats. As part of his prize, the winning designer gets to sell these items in his webshop and receives a budget to ship products via DHL. Proceeds from the project will be donated to Redress to support other emerging designers.
The Advantages of Working with Designers
In the past, there have been several initiatives where workwear was donated to companies that, in turn, created new products. In the Netherlands, there are even sewing workshops specializing in such projects. These workshops collaborate with governments and organizations on a project basis, exploring what products can be made from old uniforms.
However, the competition adds a unique element to the recycling process. By working with young designers, you foster creativity and open the door to innovative ideas. This approach also allows you to target a younger audience with the products. Additionally, outsourcing sales not only reduces your workload but also gives your company exposure in a different market. Combine that with the boost to your brand image, and this becomes a highly successful collaboration.
The Drawbacks
While this project offers many advantages, there are some downsides to consider. When developing a new product, you are limited by the chosen design. Unlike shredding clothing, you cannot use every piece of fabric; specific sections of the material are required repeatedly. Components such as elastic bands, buttons, zippers, and padding may barely, if ever, be reused. The same applies to worn-out, dirty, or damaged textiles, which would still need to be recycled in a separate project. What you do reuse must also be washed first.
Opting for shredding may not provide an opportunity for a young designer, but it could be the more sustainable choice. Shredded textiles can also be repurposed creatively, as shown recently by New Zealand workwear company Westpeak. They used shredded old textiles to fill dog beds, which were then donated to local animal shelters.
As with any recycling initiative, there are pros and cons to consider. Ultimately, the goal is to keep innovating and thinking about sustainability—whether we take the initiative ourselves or let a young designer propose an idea. Together, we must work toward a more sustainable world.
