Tag: Sustainable Fashion

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Sustainable Living: “It’s not you, but us” 

Mission Impossible? 

We say absolutely not – if we focus our efforts on reframing how we produce, organise and eliminate excess waste from our current modes of production. 

A circular economy is a framework that strives to eradicate waste by designing to reuse and reintroduce. It isn’t about individual responsibility, it is about building a collective understanding and awareness of a larger problem.

There are 3 Pillars to a circular economy:

  • Eliminating waste and pollution by design
  • Designing waste into recycling materials 
  • Regenerating natural systems

Think of a circle – observe how it is a loop and not a linear line. That is essentially how the economy should be designed to function. Materials are introduced, used, then recycled into their basic components to be re-introduced into production. 

So, what does a circular economy look like in Fashion?

A garment is designed to be apparel, at the end of its life it is stripped down to its basic fabrics to be recycled into a bag. The bag at the end of its life will be further recycled into the soles of a shoe. When the shoe has reached the end of its life, where does it go? Back to the producers where the basic components will be reverted back to the original fibre where the process starts again. 

Why all the hassle now? 

The world went through what the New York Times described as the ‘Pandemic Decluttering’. Everyone was forced to look in and make room for work, leisure and breathing spaces all within our homes. This resulted in people excavating receipts, appliance boxes and clothes that have been untouched by last summer’s trend. 

“Spring cleaning” – Our take on a REfresh

It’s become more clear now than ever that as creatures of habits we have some unpacking to do when it comes to making space for the current by repurposing and questioning the hoarded skeletons that have resided in our closets for decades and if they really need to be there.

We have finite resources, finite space in landfills and finite time in making efforts to revive the environment. The best step in the right direction is to consciously buy/mend and source with longevity in mind.

Reality check: We have ways before we make it to this much of an efficient arrangement as money, time and resources for this kind of operation are scarcely delegated with seriousness due to business competition. But in comparison to awareness 10 years ago, we have made huge steps as a whole in the right direction. 

Too much to take in?

The mission is possible if we invest in systems that design an ongoing loop that feeds itself to avoid excessive waste. And that can start from simple daily habits like:

  • Donate to thrift stores and charity shops 
  • Check the garment care labels on the garment and opt for  materials that aren’t mixed with polyester.
  • Get crafty with DIY mending – you can organise a mending group with your friends over tea, or hop onto apps like Sojo to find a tailor near you to ensure that something perfectly valuable isn’t discarded.
  • Set your washing machine at low temperatures (30 degrees advised) to save energy.

What about personal responsibility?

Oftentimes, consumer responsibility is used as a marketing strategy to alleviate the responsibility of 20 companies who contribute to 55% of the world’s plastic waste. These companies are a collective of Chemical, Oil and Gas giants. But amidst the helplessness, there is still hope as people, (including you and us) have been working towards alternative ways of consuming, this can look like supporting local independent businesses. Or, upcycling, mending, recycling. As a population, there has been a steady movement in changing our relationship with buying and overconsuming.

The 4649.REC way:

Our approach to design around wastefulness is to REinvent the old by upcycling old kimonos sleeping in Japanese households for multiple generations. Emotional design is a driving principle for the clothes we make which have the purpose of finding a positive chord to REConnect a preloved item with a new owner who will continue their story. This is a way to design waste away as a form of REsurrecting through RECycling.

Our ethos is RECycle, REvive and REConnect stories within the items we have and give them a new journey to be continued to the next generation and beyond, and we invite you to be part of our journey. Browse through our designs to see how the life of reclaimed kimono fabric has been reimagined by us.

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Spreading love & sustainably with Tatoushi Kimono paper

Have you noticed our products come parcelled in a rich heavy paper, and wondered where it’s coming from? 

This is called “Tatoushi”, a kimono storage wrapper made from Japanese Washi paper, which is used to preserve, package and protect kimonos.

The washi paper packaging is made with the utmost care, sometimes you can feel or see herbal flecks on the outside layer – this is to protect the garment from moths and critters attracted to the natural silk packaged inside. Some even use essential oils for extra protection. 

This is how kimonos have been kept in good condition tucked away in our wardrobes for decades without ever being worn again. There are an estimated 800 million kimonos sleeping in the cupboards of modern-day Japanese households and that is why we began REpurpose and REinvent how we honour pre-loved kimonos in our modern daily lifestyle. 

Do you have Kimonos to donate? Or want to get in touch? Connect with us here

What is it made from?

Fibre isn’t just good for your health but also makes for strong paper – pulp such as Kozo (mulberry), gampi or hemp is distributed in the paper mould so the fibres intertwine and pressurise to make for a stronger almost fabric-like material. 

The REC way: REusing Tatoushi to wrap our products

The great thing about paper is that it can be RECycled, UPcyled and REinvented: one of our favourite ways to champion Tatoushi paper is to use it as wrapping paper for our large items, as well as price tags and some stationery products.

And sometimes we use it to craft beautiful origami art that honours traditional Japanese forms.

We have greeting cards that feature Tatoush cranes:

Midori Moss Aloha shirt and matching Tatoushi greeting card

These unique shapes and values are speckled throughout our story as reminders of the philosophy and symbolism behind our Japanese-centric ethos. 

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Origami crane to celebrate and bring prosperity to the New Year  :

Setsubun marks the seasonal division when Spring start in Japan where “Mamemaki” (bean throwing) is used to deter evil spirits away:

Origami Heart :

As the season of Valentines approaching and in true REC fashion, we would love to celebrate all kinds of love and connections with you through a heart origami.

Our committment:

We use sustainable kimono packaging as a nod to our roots and further commitment to sustainable practice. REvisiting the way things can be, through upcycling or recycling what you already have, you can now use fabric scraps to make trains of cranes to bring you luck and a way to wind down. 

Tatoushi crane greeting cards

It is the perfect time to evaluate and nurture the different kinds of love you have brought into this new year with. We too have been growing our beloved bespoke collection.

Regardless of what month it is, we believe life is about reaching above and beyond, diving into self-love, discovery and nurturing what connects us to a deeper-rooted love that allows us to REConnect amidst our whirlwind lives every single day. 

#Yoroshiku

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Post-Kimono Talk: How is it the Ultimate Sustainable Wear?

Sake, Hot Tea, and Kimono Enthusiasts: RECap of the event

On the evening 25th of November at our 88 Regent street sustainable concept store, we hosted a Kimono Talk with Furikoyokimono store and Shoko Tanoue; local kimono experts and stylists who like us, incorporate the philosophy and eco-friendly practices of the Kimono in our everyday modern life. 

We opened our doors and welcomed many guests with sake, and hot tea provided by LabTonica – our neighbouring sustainable wellness brand. We were elated to receive such an audience who were invested in the sustainability of the Kimono.

Why is Kimono the ultimate sustainable wear? 

The (vintage) Kimono is sustainable because of how it is handled, the materials that are used to make it (100% cotton or silk) and the socio-cultural practices of how the Kimono is used/ passed down generations. 

kimono fabrics from furukiyokimono
kimono displayed from furukiyokimono

Kimonos can be described as a one size fits all because the T-pattern cut of the cloth allows for additional panels to adjust to the length, or girth of the wearer. Carrying on from that, the kimono is also made to be unstitched so it can be cleaned and restitched, allowing room for repurposing and better care of the garment. This was demonstrated in the event. 

Many generalise sustainability to bio-degradable materials etc, but it is also a way of living, Mottainai means to ‘Not to waste’, a popular saying within Japanese households that encourages the ultimate extension of an objects life. 

Rundown of the cozy Evening talk:

Sonoe Sugawara from Furukiyokimono store introduced us to the multi-faceted dimensions of the kimono: the many ways it is unstitched for different bodies, for cleaning and preserving material colour and life.

Shoko Tanoue, a kimono stylist who had moved to London during the pandemic and the endemic of racial discrimination towards Asian Hate, demonstrated how she adorns her culture proudly in London using beautiful ornate kimonos. The demonstration invited guests to see how the kimono or obi could be worn on their bodies.

4649.REC hosted the event in our 88 Regent Street concept store where guests had the opportunity to browse through our bespoke upcycled kimono garments, and products while exploring the vintage kimono collection from FurukiyoKimono selection. 

It was a delightful evening of chats, conversations and lovely to say #Yoroshiku to people who wanted to learn about the versatility/ sustainable philosophies of Japanese culture through the Kimono.  

After all, REConnecting, REkindling and REimagining our cultural traditions with one another is a way to weave a united story.  With that in mind, we are looking forward to REConnecting with you again soon for another event. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1YPw4DbUr/

With that in mind, keep your eyes peeled 👀as we have something cooking for another event

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#ReduceRecycleReuse

Fast Fashion isn’t free. Someone, somewhere is paying.

– Lucy Siegle

What is Black Friday? 

 Black Friday is when retailers mark products down with huge discounts – incentivising mass consumption.  This started after the Great Depression in the ’50s, where retailers wanted to move their “Red” declining lines of their sales to black. Hence the name. 

But why is this not a solution anymore?

Giant clothing companies and brands all over the West are patterning toxic consumer behaviour, where they are encouraging mass consumption with unethical low prices. 

100 billion pieces of clothing are made each year even with current ‘efforts’ of introducing sustainable lines within big brands, otherwise known as Green Washing. 

Fashion Breakdown : how we are making a difference

Over here at 4649.REC we are championing upcycling, customisation and recycling of loved items that exist to give them a new lease of life.  Our principles are that clothes carry history, a story and a potential to be REinvented, REimagined to REConnect us with what we already have.

You might be wondering how? We will take you through our “Fashion Breakdowns” where we offer you in-depth transparency of how we make/source our clothes.

Here’s a run-down of how we rejuvenated these basic jeans:

They are 100% Denim Cotton

The jeans are sourced from a rescued production sample that didn’t make it to full production

Patches customised artfully onto the jeans are fabric scraps utilised from leftover production / vintage yukata

This piece has been hand-bleached to RE-invent the story of the hoodie and REalise its full potential.

The Obiage (orange belt) has been donated, it is detachable and can be used as a scarf. 

The Obijime, a chord that holds a kimono sash in place is reimagined as a part of the hoodie

There is always a way to REConnect to clothes we have by Upcycling. This is an example of that.

Rescued T-shirt revived with Japanese accents of vintage Yukata patches.

Leftover fabrics from our kimonos have been utilised. We value no waste.

How we can all help :

We can help by not adding to the consumer vortex by actively choosing not to purchase new things and choosing to build on the thing we do have. You can support local independent brands this week like us at 88 Regent Street, where all 6 Brands at the concept store have formed an alliance against Black Friday Sales. Or you can opt for sustainable products or pop in to see us for customisations. This week is about honouring ethical and sustainable practice to work towards a fairer and healthier society. 

If you want to see more fashion breakdowns : 👉 Check out our IG

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Sustainable and Ethical brands at the heart of London’s famous shopping district

sustainable popup header

The 88 Regent Street pop-up edit for sustainability:

4649.REC joins a collective of 6 brands to champion alternative consumption on 88 Regent Street with a dedicated space for sustainability, ethical consumption and conscious fashion.

“This area has always been the key place for any Japanese visitors and residents in the UK, and it is an honour to be taking part in this initiative. We are looking forward to connecting with a wider audience and showcase that we can look good while caring for people and the planet.”

Yumi Sakaki, The founder/designer of 4649.REC

Why Regent Street?

With its regal architecture and central placement in West London’s shopping district, Regent Street is one of the most famous shopping streets in London. Regent Street has been a significant landmark known for its impressive portfolio of designer brands and stores. The street is visited by approximately more than 7.5 million people a year. All wanting to shop and browse.

Here’s why the pop-up store on 88 Regent Street is vital to the revolution of ethical fashion. 1 Roof shared by 6 sustainable fashion brands is the beginning of a change. Imagine this: the pop-up store is a window of opportunity to veer into future consumption and envision the high street solely operating on independent and sustainable fashion wellness brands.

A pop-up store for a sustainability brand 4649.REC
photo credit: @appearherehq

“Bringing our spaces to life with brands that promote sustainability is a step towards our shared vision of creating destinations that make a meaningful difference.”

– Bob Dawson, Head of Regent Street at the Crown Estate

What we offer: On-site customisation

Meaningful, shared and reconnecting to our roots is what we at 4649.REC value. The store has tailored a personal and dedicated shopping experience giving the opportunity to explore our one-off pieces designed by 4649.REC. Not only that, but we also treasure the practice of upcycling and the spirit of mending to reinvent clothes for another cycle of use. Therefore, we have on-site customisation at our pop-up store. If you have clothes in need of a revamp, then you will definitely want to visit and consult with us. From previous customisation workshops with the Fashion District Festival, it is great fun interacting with people and a shared learning experience on how we consume. We invite all to come and learn about how we can practice sustainability in our daily lives.

photo credit @ktwphotographer

What makes us special as a sustainability brand:

Everything is made from upcycled kimono and traditional Japanese garments. No two are the same and have their own distinct story. Just ask Yumi, our designer and creative director of 4649.REC.

It is imperative to come and explore as soon as possible as this collective of sustainable brands is here only until the 27th of October and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to connect with us.

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Embrace the summer sun with Kaori Yatsumoto’s upcycled kimono caps

[4649.REC x Kaori Yasumoto] Upcycled Denim Cap – “Gold Katana” Caps

As the summer months, protect yourself in style from the sun with the upcycled kimono caps, from our latest collaboration with Kaori Yatsumoto, using the same fabric as in our army co-ords and in our collaboration with Isaak Ayo.

“When I create my pieces, I strive to highlight the beauty of old fabric that was created through elaborate craftsmanship and to reduce waste as much as possible in my creations.” 

Kaori Yatsumoto

Kaori designs bespoke dresses, hats and accessories and we have been a big fan of Kaori’s creations for years – because of her vintage couture is characterised by its unique combination of 1950s Hollywood glamour with Japanese influences. To celebrate the release of these pieces, we have interviewed her to learn more about her brand, vision, inspiration and creative process.

4649.REC: How and when did you get into designing dresses, hats and accessories? Could you tell me more about your background?

Kaori: I originally came to London to study business. I began working in the travel industry,  but I always had a passion for fashion and art so I eventually decided to study dressmaking. I started designing women’s clothes and selling them online on Etsy. I find creating to be very therapeutic. Having become a mother, I also began selling children’s clothing and accessories online as well as in physical markets.

4649.REC: Your couture style combines vintage glamour and Japanese influences. Could you tell me more about how this came about and how you manage to reconcile both elements?

Kaori: I get my inspiration from the vintage style and the fabrics I find. I learned the pleating, ruching and draping process in London and love using Japanese chirimen* to create one-off vintage style one-off dresses. 

4649.REC: What inspired you to begin upcycling these fabrics from Japan and how do you acquire these fabrics?

Kaori: Originally, my mother and my aunt gave me their old Kimono and Obi belts that they no longer used. I began upcycling because I love the beautiful design and colours of kimonos. Each piece is made with silk and such intricate Japanese craftsmanship that I believe these pieces of wearable art should be treasured and kept, even if it is under a different form. When I make caps, I usually upcycle plastic bottles for laundry liquid to create the brim, but lately I have found it harder to find because people around me don’t use it any more (which is good thing). So unfortunately, at the moment, I am still searching for sustainable materials to upcycle for the brim.

4649.REC: Could you tell me a bit more about the pieces, which came out of this partnership?

Kaori: Yumi handed leftover fabric from a beautiful Obi Belt and I fell in love with the colours. I’ve always liked the combination of Japanese colourful design and denim so I thought upcycling denim and the Obi belt should be perfect. 

4649.REC:: Do you have a specific audience in mind when you create your pieces?

Kaori: Anyone who likes to dress differently from others, as each piece is unique and one of a kind. Anyone who understands the beauty of old Japanese design, and the importance of recycling and upcycling.

4649.REC: Lastly, what would you say is the key message behind your pieces? How do you contribute to the sustainable fashion movement?

Kaori: When I create my pieces, I strive to highlight the beauty of old fabric that was created through elaborate craftsmanship and to reduce waste as much as possible in my creations. 

Kaori also designs children’s apparel and accessories with a Japanese twist. Follow Kaori on Instagram to keep up with her latest projects.

[4649.REC x Kaori Yasumoto] Upcycled Denim Cap – “Gold Katana” Dark

*Chirimen is a plain-woven silk crêpe composed of raw silk yarn

More from the REC x Kaori Yatsumoto Collaboration:

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Exchanging fabrics and stories with London-born designer Isaak Ayo

Usually, I acquire my fabric online, meaning  I can only imagine what the person who wore it was like, so using fabric from Yumi’s family and knowing the person with whom the fabric was associated was truly an honour.

Isaak Ayo

Isaak Ayo was founded in 2013, when designer Rickardo’s son Isaac Ayo Mascarenhas Reynolds was born. All Isaak Ayo bags and T-shirts are ethically made in London, using recycled (and mostly organic) fabrics such as upcycled kimono silk, wood felt, organic cotton and bamboo. 

Before creating Isaak Ayo, from the 1990s to 2005 Rickardo used to run his own clothing business “BOK” with a friend. BOK sold clubwear at Portobello Market, and Camden Market and sold wholesale to shops around the UK, Germany and Miami. When clubwear died down, Rickardo became a landscape gardener before deciding to co-create ethical T-shirt label “Organik Rocka” with a partner in 2005. Facing difficulties in a long-term friendship and business partnership, Rickardo decided to begin anew in 2013, boosted by the energy and inspiration provided by his newborn son.

4649.REC:   Your main collection is the “World Series Collection”, which intends to represent your love of traveling. Would you say your creations are also reflective of your cultural background? 

Rickardo: The “World Series Collection” as a whole is not reflective of my cultural background, as a lot of the fabrics I use are from Japan. However, I am increasingly using fabrics from West Africa because although my parents are from Jamaica, our ancestry is mainly from West Africa. 

4649.REC:  Isaak Ayo creates bags made from upcycled, and natural fabrics, particularly bags from upcycled kimonos. How did you get the idea to start upcycling? 

Rickardo: I had actually worked with upcycled products before I had started my own brand. My first job was actually working for a small company, which made jackets from upcycled leather jackets, jeans and silk scarves. Years later, I started making backless Kimono from silks.  I bought a deconstructed kimono, but there was not enough fabric, so I followed my wife’s suggestion to make a tote bag instead. That’s how my bag collection began. 

4649.REC: How would you say your brand has evolved over the years in terms of vision, particularly over the COVID-19 period?

Rickardo: My brand has developed over the years. From tote bags and T-shirts, My product range has continually increased from tote bags and T-shirts originally,  my latest and most successful pieces are backpacks and cardholders. I intend to continue to expand the product range, to eventually include clothing.

Over time, I have also expanded my online presence. During COVID, my orders increased a lot in the UK and the USA. However, orders from Europe decreased significantly after Brexit.

4649.REC: How do you usually acquire the kimono fabric, which you use in your bags?

Rickardo: At the moment I acquire my fabric online, but I hope to one day go to Japan and bring back a load of old Kimono. 

4649.REC: Yumi fell in love with your creations on Instagram and decided to  reach out to you for a collaboration based on an exchange of fabric:  you provided the indigo blue cotton fabric from Gambia for 4649.REC’s Haori top, which matches your backpack, while Yumi provided you with the leftover fabric from the Gold Katana co-ords. which came from Yumi’s mother, so you could create a matching bag. Could you tell me a bit more about the one-off pieces, which came out of this partnership?

Rickardo: This partnership is great because we both have a love for sustainable fashion, fabrics from Africa, and fabrics from Japan, particularly Kimono fabric, and Obi*. In this collection, we used an Obi that belonged to Yumi’s mother, which  she used to create the Gold Katana camouflage co-ords. The fabric was perfect to create a matching clutch bag. Using the indigo blue cotton fabric from Gambia from which created a backpack, Yumi created a Haori top. In order to create the backpack, the fabric had to be interfaced and reinforced to give it body and durability. I also added upcycled leather to the bottom of the backpack for protection. 

This collaboration was a really interesting experience. Usually, I acquire my fabric online, meaning  I can only imagine what the person who wore it was like, so using fabric from Yumi’s family and knowing the person with whom the fabric was associated was truly an honour. After exchanging the fabrics, Yumi and I discussed what type of pieces we would create, but neither of us knew exactly what the other had in mind. In the end, we both love each other’s creations. 

4649.REC:  What is your creative process like? What inspires you? 

Rickardo: My creative process is a bit chaotic; I tend to start many projects simultaneously.  I am inspired by what my eyes take in everyday. I look at everything, especially when I’m walking with my headphones on. I also love people watching, which is a good way of seeing what people are into.  Being able to come up with an idea in my head and actually create it, brings me a lot of joy and satisfaction. I have noticed that when I’m not creating, my stress level goes up. 

When I have an idea, I draw or write it down, then it goes through a few changes before I begin the actual crafting process.  Once I have created a bag, I try to see how it can be improved by having my wife or friends test them out and give their feedback on wearability, durability and design. Their, sometimes brutal, honesty is really helpful. 

Ultimately, I want to demonstrate that sustainable doesn’t have to mean boring.

4649.REC:  More generally, what would you say is the main challenge in sustainable fashion becoming mainstream?

Rickardo:  I think sustainable fashion will become more mainstream when large companies realise they can make money from it, but I think consumers need to change their buying habits, to force large companies to change. When we buy, we need to focus on quality, rather than quantity. We should also support environmentally friendly independent brands. Small brands may become big one day. 

4649.REC:  What would you say is the key message behind your pieces? How do you contribute to the sustainable fashion movement?

Rickardo: I am trying to create sustainable bags from natural and biodegradable sustainable sources. For instance, I do not use plastic in any of my bags or packaging.  I look at my bags as little pieces of art, mixed with the art of the original fabric maker. I love upcycling fabrics because of their history. Some of the pieces I use are over seventy years old, and still in great condition.  Upcycling is the way forward: we have to re-use as much as we can, if we want to protect the planet. Ultimately, I want to demonstrate that sustainable doesn’t have to mean boring.

You can read more about Isaak Ayo and shop the exclusive pieces which came out of our collaborations below. 

Want to discover more sustainable designers interested in authentic Japanese fashion? Stay tuned for our upcoming blog article here soon. Who should 4649.REC collaborate next?

*the wide silk belt that is worn with the kimono

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Embrace a gender neutral closet for Pride Month

4649.REC textile pride rainbow

June 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of Pride Month. Every year, since 1969, during the month of June, the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates in various ways from parades and festivals to events and public speaking. More than a celebration, Pride Month provides the opportunity to bring awareness to important issues the community is facing. 

What is Pride Month and why does it take place in June? 

On an early morning of June 28, 1969, in Manhattan, New York, the Stonewall Inn was raided by the police. Greenwich Village was an area known to be home to sizeable gay and lesbian populations. Gay bars being illegal in the 1950s and 60s, very few places welcomed gay people and those which did were often run by organized crime groups. The Stonewall Inn, for one, was owned by the Mafia. Such bars were routinely raided. However, violence escalated during the Stonewall Raid and sparked a wave of protests several evenings in a row. The protests led to the formation of organized activist groups, calling for the creation of places where they could embrace their sexual orientation without fear. The riots served as a catalyst for the LGBT liberation movement in the United States.

As a celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, Brenda Howard organized the first Pride March in New York, which soon became a yearly event. Pride is now celebrated across the United States, but also throughout the world every year.

How does 4649.REC celebrate Pride Month? 

56% of people between 13 and 20 and 43% of people between 28 and 34 stated that they knew someone who uses gender neutral pronouns.  4649.REC stands for sincerity, harmony and respect. We hope to bring people together one garment at a time. We stand for diversity and inclusiveness, authenticity with one’s self and respect to all.

All our pieces are gender free and have a unisex fit, as we believe being authentic to oneself involves feeling free to transgress the gender conventions in fashion. Find a piece that resonates with you or guide us on how to create it for you.

How can you embrace Pride Month by experimenting with gender neutral clothing?

Unisex and non-binary clothing strive to challenge gender norms. Looking to adopt a more gender neutral closet and transgress the boundaries through fashion?  You can personalize your clothing to push back boundaries and achieve your ideal, authentic look through up-cycling and customization of all sorts (dyeing, embroidery, tailoring..). Let us help you experiment with a wide range of colors and patterns, using upcycled kimono fabrics – they are full of colours and nature themed prints which speak to us all.

Overall, despite the progress which has already been made, we must continue to increase awareness and support inclusiveness. In some places like Japan, LGBTIQ+ people are still not protected from discrimination by the law. This June the LGBT Equality Act should be adopted. However, it is contested by LGBTIQ+ advocacy groups who denounce the lack of enforceable protections contained in the bill, which only requires an “understanding of LGBT people”. More generally, as a result of discrimination, homophobia and transphobia and the rejection which may be experienced after coming out, individuals in the LGBTIQ+ community are at increased risk of mental health problems such as depression, self-harm and substance abuse. A study by Stonewall underlined that, in the UK, ⅛  LGBTIQ+ people between 18 and 24 and half of trans people attempted to take their life. Committed to inclusion and wellbeing for all, 4649.REC donates a portion of its proceeds to mental health Mind.

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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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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