Thereโs a new movement growing right here in our community, and itโs being led by the next generation. If youโve ever wanted to fight back against the environmental impact of fast fashion but found yourself stuck between costly sustainable brands and hit-or-miss thrift store racks, a student-founded organization called ReLove Lab has the solution.
Ran by the community, for the community, ReLove Lab is on a mission to clothe our neighborhoods fashionably and sustainablyโproving that looking good shouldn’t come at the cost of the Earth (or your entire paycheck).
The Problem with Going Green
We all know fast fashion is an environmental nightmare, but making the switch isn’t always easy. Sustainable clothing brands can easily cost three times as much as fast fashion, making them unrealistic for youth and low-income individuals. On the flip side, thrifting can be a gamble; finding high-quality clothes in your size and style, in an industry dominated by resellers, can sometimes feel impossible. This is where ReLove Lab steps in, working to ensure eco-friendliness can be accessible to everyone.
What is ReLove Lab?
Instead of asking you to buy new, ReLove Lab focuses on upcycling the clothing you already have but don’t wear. They alter and tailor clothing specifically to fit your body and your unique style. While custom tailoring is usually a luxury service, ReLove Lab keeps it entirely affordable.
Beyond upcycling, ReLove Lab organizes free clothing swaps all over the Seattle area and hosts hands-on tailoring workshops so you can learn to mend your own wardrobe.
Big Goals for a Sustainable Future
To ensure they build a world of responsible consumerism one step at a time, ReLove Lab has laid out three major goals for the upcoming year:
- Youth Advocacy: Partnering with local elementary and middle schools to host clothing drives and swaps, and educational workshops on overconsumption.
- North American Expansion: Expanding scope by launching at least five new student-led chapters across the United States and Canada by the end of the year.
- Community Collaboration: Team up with local nonprofitsโlike The Garage, YMCA Earth Service Corps, Sustainability Ambassadors, and DECAโto integrate sustainable fashion into regional events by Q3.
Rooted in Growth
To pull off these goals, ReLove Lab spent the last year investing heavily in its own team and operational sustainability. Theyโve established a digital presence, formulated an outline for their strategic plans, and sent team members to leadership conferences and networking events. Most importantly, as a student-run group, theyโve prioritized leadership transition planning to ensure that when students graduate, ReLove Labโs mission remains.
Join the Movement!
Want to get involved, attend a free clothing swap, or get your clothes upcycled? Send an email to [email protected] to stay notified on upcoming local workshops and clothing swaps, or to see how you can bring a ReLove Lab chapter or clothing bin to a school near you.
Let’s build a more sustainable community, one stitch at a time!