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Discover RETURE : your new favorite online upcycled fashion boutique


Looking for some new unique and sustainable summer outfits? Look no further than RETURE boutique, a marketplace for sustainable brands offering a 10% discount for newcomers until May 31. Shop our products on RETURE boutique now. 

Founded in March 2020, RETURE is the only marketplace for upcycled fashion. As a part of the upcycling movement, RETURE intends to extend the life of garments, promote human craft in an increasingly digital era and celebrate local creative talents. Indeed, each designer featured on RETURE creates pieces using different material, which gives them their identity. 

RETURE’s mission is to encourage more people to try upcycling. Therefore, it offers a bespoke upcycling service, where you can find us to work directly with us for your upcycling needs. RETURE also strives to teach you how to upcycle your own clothes

What is upcycling? 

Upcycling is reusing (discarded garments or materials) in order to create a product of higher quality or value than the original. 

Entrenched in the ideas of slow fashion, upcycling intends to create a more circular fashion industry, reducing waste and emphasizing craft and creativity. Rather than mass production, short-lived trends and disposable garments, upcycling intends to repurpose and embellish existing materials to create memorable, unique and sustainable pieces. Upcycling attributes clothing an emotional, rather than simply economic value.

Why upcycle?

At first, you might be skeptical at the idea of upcycling their wardrobes. However, usually after the first try, you  fall in love with the creative process and proud of the results. How come?

  1. By reclaiming the creative process and creating your own pieces, you get to have something no one else owns. You can customize clothing sleeping in your wardrobe and create the pieces you have long sought-after and you can be sure of their quality. 
  2. The upcycling process also allows you to learn about design and develop new craftsmanship skills. 
  3. By using reclaimed materials, you are protecting the planet and preventing exploitation of garment workers in the fast fashion industry, one upcycled garment at a time. 
  4. As our founder/designer Yumi described when she explained the process of repurposing her mother’s kimonos, upcycling allows you to reconnect with yourself and potentially your cultural heritage, but also to create new ties with your loved ones and your community. Clothes are valuable because they are intimately linked with our memories. They carry stories. Whether you are upcycling your garments or those of your loved ones, the repurposed pieces will carry a special meaning, which you can proudly wear.

Want to help us make upcycling more mainstream in the fashion industry? Get on board with the RETURE movement and let’s make change together!

Photo Credit: @KTW Photography

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No-Sew,Origami Style DIY Face Covering Tutorial

no-sew DIY face mask

As a result of COVID-19 pandemic has and the use of single-use masks, over 1.6 billion face masks being discarded in UK landfills every months. We believe protecting ourselves also means protecting the planet. Therefore, 4649.REC has released a free DIY reusable fabric face mask pattern, which you can download and follow to create your own face mask. 

Not a fan of sewing? We also have simplified the process with this No-Sew DIY Face Cover Kit, which includes upcycled materials like kimono fabric and elastic bands from our London studio. In this short tutorial video, we guide you through the steps to create your own no-sew DIY face mask. Soon, you’ll want to start using your own upcycled materials to create personalized gifts for your loved ones.

Looking for some inspiration before you begin? You can check out 4649.REC’s upcycled face mask collection. Once you have created your mask, don’t forget to share it on Instagram using the hashtag #myupcycledmask and tag @4649.REC to join the movement to protect ourselves and our beloved planet, one mask at a time. 

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Compassion, COVID-19 and cultural attitudes towards mental health

mental health awareness week nature theme

The following haiku was written by our teammate Christina* in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week (10-16th May), we wanted to acknowledge how the COVID-19 pandemic has deteriorated mental health globally. 

May 9th is also Mother’s Day in Japan. During lockdown, founder/designer Yumi began disassembling her mother’s kimonos, which helped her reconnect with her family, her cultural heritage but also herself in these times of isolation. Our interest in sparking meaningful interpersonal and cross-cultural dialog means we cannot overlook how differently cultures deal with mental health issues. While mental health has become less taboo in many Western cultures in recent years, in Japan mental health continues to carry a stigma, which further burdens victims and their loved ones. 

In Japanese society, struggling with mental health is conceived as something shameful because it represents an inability or a lack of willpower to control oneself. In that sense, the expectation is that patients or their families, rather than professionals, should deal with these issues. Though treatments are available, nearly two-thirds of patients never seek out professional help.

In the face of rising suicide rates, Tetsushi Sakamoto was named as Japan’s first Minister for Loneliness by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Indeed, in October 2020, Japan experienced a 70% increase in female suicides alone. Similarly to the UK, Japan has adopted measures to address loneliness amidst the pandemic.

The WHO reported that over 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression worldwide, but many do not receive treatment due to stigma, discrimination, and neglect.

As lockdown comes to an end in the UK, Japan’s situation is a kind reminder that COVID-19 is a global issue and we must keep exercising compassion and looking out for one another. 

In July 2020, a KFF Health Tracking Poll reported the stress associated with the pandemic was prompting negative impacts on wellbeing including difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increases in alcohol or substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%). In the long-run, the pandemic also increases exposure to isolation and job loss, which are associated with poor mental health outcomes.

Between March 2020 and February 2021, in the UK loneliness rose from 10 to 26%. Even during the summer of 2020, when most restrictions were lifted, reported loneliness did not return to its pre-lockdown levels.Combating loneliness is crucial for mental health because human connections provide us emotional support and allow us to cope better. In February 2021, 13% of surveyed UK adults reported having thoughts about suicide in the previous two weeks, an increase of 5 points from April 2020. 


To extend our commitment to sustainability in our personal sources of energy (Ki), we give back a percentage of proceeds to the mental health charity Mind. Read more about their everyday tips for dealing with mental health and for helping others around you and check out their guides for hotlines and support.

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work” 

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Come find us at LDC’s Latest Islington Pop-up

LDC and 4649.REC Spring 2021 PopUp at Islington Square

As the lockdown has been eased throughout the UK, we are excited to be back in Lone Design’s Club (LDC)’s latest pop-up in Islington Square. With its local, ethical and sustainable food and produce market happening between Fri-Sun, this beautiful and lively neighborhood of North London is ideal for a weekend stroll. 

At the beginning of the 20th century, a giant post office was built on Islington’s Upper Street. This beautiful baroque monument spreading over 15700m2 hosts a variety of botanical markets, creative community spaces, pop-up bookshops and independent retailers such as Lone Design Club. 

Islington square baroque building

Credit @IslingtonSq on Instagram – Image by @kesingtonleverne

Established in 2018, LDC strives to promote conscious fashion by connecting consumers to ethical and independent fashion and lifestyle brands with traceable practices and one of a kind items. You can shop our products* on the Lone Design Club website. This pop-up showcases our one-off pieces celebrating cultural heritage, diversity and meaningful conversations.

Rooted in the spirit of exchange and correspondence, stories continue to pass through Islington Square, no longer through letters and packages, but through creative and unique events, which bring together residents and newcomers alike.

Flowers at Islington Square

Credit @IslingtonSq on Instagram – Image by @kesingtonleverne

In a time where events and exchanges have gone digital, it is ever more important for us to recreate physical, personal connections with people. This holds true for the fashion industry as well. 

Come see our products in person and try them on before you make a purchase. You can also book an in-store styling appointment with our designer Yumi during the opening hours.

Come share your stories with us at the LDC Islington Pop-up: 

@ISLINGTON SQUARE 
116 – 118 Upper St, London, N1 1AB

May 4th-27th 

 HOURS:
Mon: 11am-5pm
Tues – Weds: 10am-6pm
Thurs – Sat: 11am-7pm
Sun: 12-6pm

We look forward to meeting you soon!

LDC Islington Pop-UP 4649.REC

*Please note LDC showcases Yoroshiku 4649 and 4649.REC products on the same page

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The ghosts of our clothes: time for an ethical Fashion Revolution

Haiku by ethical brands for fashion revolution

“the clothes you wear have ghosts on them, the histories of those who made them”

4649.REC has been discussing the way the clothes we own carry the stories of those who have worn them before us. However, we cannot overlook just how much those who make our clothing contribute to their stories, as well. 

In remembrance of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building hosting several garment factories in Bangladesh 8 years ago today (24th April 2013), 4649.REC has shared yet another of our team member Christina’s beautiful haikus*. We want to pay tribute to the 1,134 people lost during this tragedy and bring attention to the workers in the fast fashion industry, who often suffer exploitative conditions to keep clothing prices low. 

What is Fashion Revolution?

The Rana Plaza building collapse is the fourth largest industrial disaster in history. Fashion Revolution was founded in the wake of this tragedy and launched the #WhoMadeMyClothes movement, urging the fashion industry to respect human rights and increase transparency throughout the production chain. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation 300 million people work in the clothing industry, a vast majority of them being women. The vast majority live in poverty and do not have the freedom to negotiate their working conditions. In fact, in 2018, the Global Slavery Index reported that the garment industry is the second sector driving modern slavery.

In the context of COVID-19, garment worker’s rights and transparency are a particularly salient issue. Research by the Traidcraft Exchange highlighted how most of the countries where garments are being produced do not have the economic resources necessary to support the large number of unemployed workers, leaving many food insecure. Indeed, in last year in March an estimated $1.44 Billion US dollars worth of payments were cancelled or withheld in Bangladesh alone. In the midst of a pandemic, this means the healthcare infrastructure will also struggle to care for the sick.

On this day, in accordance with the values of Fashion Revolution, we wish to amplify the voices of garment workers which are too often overlooked. You can hear more about the stories of garment workers or by following the #IMadeYourClothes movement. 

What can you do to help?

Here, at 4649.REC, we value harmony, respect and sincerity and believe it is time for an ethical fashion revolution. Read and sign the Fashion Revolution manifesto here.

Fashion should be a celebration of people, of cultural diversity and of life. If you, too, want bring about a fashion industry which values people and the planet above profits, learn more about how you can get involved

Let’s make ethical and sustainable choices when filling our wardrobe as our favorite stores re-open and let us know what you consider to make a fashion brand ethical? Share your thoughts with us and let’s start our conversation.

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work” 

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How to: DIY Fabric Face Mask

The pandemic has caused a surge in personal protective equipment (PPE) which has been catastrophic for the environment. 51% of people in the UK use single-use blue surgical face masks. This means every month, 1.6 billion face masks are sent to UK landfills. 

In March 2020, Yoroshiku brand launched DIY Face Mask Kit with all upcycled materials from our London studio to give people everything they need to create their own face mask. Through a series of online workshops in partnership with Lone Design Club, we guided people through the process of stitching a face mask.

Now, in order to reduce ‘new’ waste of face masks, we have released a free DIY reusable fabric face mask pattern – just in time for Fashion Revolution Week 2021

How to make your own face mask

First, download your free DIY fabric face mask pattern here now. This PDF pattern will help you make your own 4-fold face cover. Simply print it out on A4 paper, grab some materials laying around in your house and get creative.

You can look at 4649.REC’s upcycled face mask collection for inspiration. Once you know how to make these quickly, easily and personalized, you’ll want to make some as gifts for your friends and family. Spread the love by sharing this pattern with your family and friends. Looking for an opportunity to catch up with them? You could organise a cozy afternoon of crafting together online. If you want to take a walk down memory lane, you could ask your loved ones for some of their old garments, which you could upcycle while they tell you about the stories they associate with them.

If you want more help with the process, watch the following tutorial for step by step instructions on how to make your own reusable face mask. When you will be done creating your mask, don’t forget to tag @4649.REC on Instagram and use the hashtag #myupcycledmask to share your project and join the movement to protect yourself, others and the planet.

Before you go out and get back to “normal” life, make your own mask and join the movement to protect the planet one mask at a time. Follow us on Instagram now to stay updated.