Both wearing 100% recycled cotton/polyester raw-edged sleeveless T and tapered trousers with deep pockets (Role) models: Ruhul Abdin, community organiser/urbanist and Pat Kerr, founder of a mother/child residential centre in Bangladesh. (Photo: courtesy of Re/DRESS)
Re/DRESS is a responsible fashion brand using nearly 100% recycled cotton/polyester textiles. Designed and produced in Bangladesh, our collection is made from breathable textiles knit/woven from yarn spun from post-industrial cotton waste (textile waste from garment manufacturing, also called clips or scrap) and recycled polyester fibre. This proof-of-concept collection is a circular fashion initiative, and as a social enterprise (non-profit company) which uses all proceeds to promote responsible fashion, it’s a circular economic proposition as well.
Our process is not proprietary, in fact, we encourage others to copy what we’re doing. You can order (wholesale), source these textiles, have your products made by our factory partners, or just arrange to talk to us about what we’ve learned. (You can find stats and info about cotton recycling in Bangladesh here.)
Visit our new London retail stockist: 69b Boutique, 69b Broadway Market, London, E8 4PH or buy online.
Our capsule collection (wide leg and tapered trousers, tunic, oversize T shirt, sleeveless T shirt, and a sleeveless jacket/koti) is designed for heat/humidity or for layering in cooler weather. Unisex and minimal for all ages, it comes in two sizes, and two colourways (light and dark). For more information, contact ReDRESSrecycle@gmail.com
In Dhaka, make an appointment to visit our Baridhara office. Click here for details and prices.
Our mission
What problem are we trying to solve? Less than 1% of the world’s textile waste is recycled into new clothing.
What's our response? Currently, polyester recycling is more common and results in more robust textiles than those made of recycled cotton. However, mechanically recycling cotton represents a big opportunity for scaling and impact, and cotton is breathable. At Re/DRESS we’re demonstrating that textiles made of a blend of recycled cotton and polyester are both breathable and durable (note: blends can pose subsequent recycling challenges, we're working on that!). And, since the overall percentages of recycled fibre in textiles are still low, the goal of Re/DRESS is to use higher percentages (up to 100%!) of recycled content in products, especially cotton.
Why does it matter? One T shirt made from recycled vs. conventional cotton saves 5000+ litres of water. Each kilo of recycled polyester reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70%. Our vision is a zero-waste economy as a response to the climate catastrophe.
Follow Re/DRESS on instagram @redress.recycle
Announcing our first 'responsible fashion contribution' to Ze, who run a programme to boost inclusion of gender minorities in the textile industry.
First three images: Poplin tunic/shirt, a hybrid between the classic crisp white/black shirt and the South Asian tunic (with deep pockets) worn with wide leg pull on trousers and as a dress. Next three images: Koti (sleeveless jacket) in rib knit and and reversible oversize T shirt/tunic with 'floating' pockets. (Photos: Ørjan Ellingvåg)
Advisors and partners
This project relies on the advice, expertise and generosity of the textile, ready-made garment (RMG) and design community in Bangladesh and the UK. The following are some of the people and entities, committed to responsible practices in the textile and RMG industry, who are providing pro bono advice and a range of in-kind and material support.
Aidha Cader, designer, concept
adzi trims ltd / indet.group. packaging: recycled, biodegradable & compostable poly bags
AJO Idea Space/Made in Bangladesh (MIB Spirit), advice on merchandising and branding
Ali Alves, Intramarca, logistics and marketing
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)
Beyond the Binary, all around advice
Bextex Ltd, Design Studio, research and development of textiles
Bharat Pratap Singh, designer, design, production, logistics
Brunhilde Descamps, Auchan Bangladesh office, sourcing and garment production expert, all around advice
Centia Bhuyan, Bhuyan Fashion, concept
CENTRO Tex Ltd
CYCLO, advice on responsible upcycling, production of yarn
DBL Group, knit textiles and RMG
DRIK Picture Library/Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Photoshoot location
ECHOTEX, recycled knit, overall advice
Enterprise Steps/e-Business, Newham College, UK
Fashion Theory, all around advice
HSBC Bangladesh, concept and strategy
Incredible Fashions Ltd
Lais Pontes, Director of Sustainability, Pontes, Indústria de Cera, Sustainability advice
Mehruz Munir, Creative Director Zurhem, marketing advice
Momtex, advice on weaving
Monon Muntaka Shova, Photography
Ørjan F. Ellingvåg, Photography
Paper Studio, graphic design, print and identity
Paola Victoria, designer, business advice
Raju Panna, Master pattern maker, production
Reverse Resources Bangladesh
Rubana Haq, business woman, concept and all around advice
Ruhul Abdin, urbanist, Paraa, concept
Sadaf Saaz Siddiqi, businesswoman, concept
Sarah Karim Couture designer/business woman, concept and all around advice
Social Enterprise and design consultants, British Council
Shwapna Bhowmick, Country Manager Marks and Spencer, all around advice
The Mills Fabrica, general advice
Teresa Albor, designer, overall coordination
Upcybom, upcycling
Urmi Group, knit textiles and RMG
Aidha Cader
Carlos García Hernàndez
Esther Comino Álvarez
José Comino Pulido
Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo
Laura Sophie Schnieders
Luva Nahid Choudhury
Mercedes Alvarez Bustamante
Ørjan F. Ellingvåg
Pat Kerr
Ruhul Abdin
Ruxmini Reckvana Q Choudhury
Sarah Karim
Taiara Farhana Tareque
Zareef Cader