Eco consciousness drives brands, startups to ramp up clothing repairs business

Secondhand resale is by far the hottest segment in the global fashion market. Over the next five years, apparel resale is expected to grow more than three times faster than the primary market, from $96 billion in 2021 to $218 billion by 2026” cites the latest Thredup Resale Report.

The conscious consumer is driving a change in how clothing is used as a sustainable lifestyle. It’s not just cocktail chatter but a reality as investors have started pouring millions of dollars into start-ups that offer repairing services for clothes, bags, shoes and other accessories. Similarly, a large number of brands have jumped into repairing as a part of their portfolio of services as well. However, this relatively new service can only be scalable and profitable if tricky and costly logistics and workforce challenges are met. Tech platforms aimed at helping brands and consumers rejuvenate old clothes and battered handbags have attracted millions of dollars in investment over the last year.

Repairing attract startups attention

What is really driving this business? For one, EU, the 27-member bloc has outlined an ambitious policy strategy that aims to curb the industry’s environmental impact and address labor abuses. The EU’s sustainable textile strategy aims to transform the industry by the end of the decade. It includes plans to encourage circularity, crack down on greenwashing and create more accountability for textile waste. The roadmap for regulation sets the agenda more broadly as fashion faces mounting scrutiny from regulators globally.

The second growth contributor is the rental business that was crushed during the twoyear long pandemic. As social events gain momentum, rentals are slowly clambering out of the hole they had fallen into. The third is turning into a big business – the business of resale. Secondhand fashion has existed for decades, primarily in thrift and vintage stores but the advent of online resale platforms has led to a step change in how used items can be bought and sold.

Since 2019, there have been at least 13 new resale entrants, six new resale-as-a-service launches and 14 major brand partnerships. A new report from Business of Fashion Insights reveals just five to seven per cent of resalable fashion is currently being bought and sold on resale platforms, resulting in an estimated $2.1 trillion of fashion sitting untapped in closets around the world. The latest Thredup Resale

Report cites “Secondhand resale is by far the hottest segment in the global fashion market. Over the next five years, apparel resale is expected to grow more than three times faster than the primary market, from $96 billion in 2021 to $218 billion by 2026.

Indian designers join the fray

Designer Nimish Shah, creative director, Bhaane and one of the first designers in Indian fashionscape to focus on conscious design believess, all luxury watches offer repair services – then why not clothes? Inspired by the trend across the globe, Ujjwal Dubey, founder of Antar-Agni launched ‘Restore Love’, the label’s restore and repair service. He points out, the world has been obsessed with owning more and throwing the old away, a direct affront to oldest Indian values of saving and passing on. Restore Love was born out of a demand for course correction that nature sets in front of us.

With climate change and demand for more, scrutiny of wasteful usage, the fashion industry has indeed woken up to a whole new reality. 

Caprese launches designer bags with Manish Malhotra

Caprese has launched a collection of limited edition luxe bags in partnership with fashion designer Manish Malhotra.

The limited-edition range includes five pieces that have been created using crystals, sparkling tassels, and sequins. With this latest collection, Caprese expects to make inroads in the luxury accessories segment and expects strong sales during the upcoming festive season. The collection blends fashion and functionality. The bags make a unique style statement.

company will have all its products certified by the Vegan Society by the end of 2023.

India is the fourth biggest beauty and personal care market globally in terms of revenue. The Indian beauty and personal care market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 6.5 per cent in the period between 2022 to 2027. Apart from bigger companies such as Unilever, Procter & Gamble and L’Oreal, there is a flux of other players such as Revlon, Mama Earth, Sugar, Lotus Herbals and MyGlamm pushing sales either through stores, multi-brand platforms like Nykaa or their own direct-to-consumer channels.

Language’s handcrafted footwear uses the finest materials

Caprese is the handbag and accessories brand from VIP Industries.Caprese includes women’s travel luggage in addition to women’s hand bags.The recently launched range is available on the brand’s online portal and at various physical points of sale across the country. The move comes as a recognition of the dearth of offering in the luggage category that is specifically developed to appeal to modern women. It is this gap in the market which VIP is now addressing with luggage that is visibly differentiated and created to appeal to women of today who consider their luggage as an extension and reflection of their evolved persona rather than just a utilitarian product.

Increasingly women are looking for products that are a marvelous blend of both fashion and functionality. This new range of women’s luggage is a fashionable travel partner for this modern woman. The products are not only visually different but have features more conducive to women’s packing needs.

The Body Shop hopes to double Indian business

The Body Shop hopes to double the India business in three years. The UK’s beauty products company sees India as among its fastest growing market thanks to a young population and a growing middle class.

India is now among its top five markets in terms of annual sales. The Body Shop has 200 stores in India and plans to add another 100 stores by 2025. The company is also pushing its e-com business which is now 25 per cent of its annual sales, compared to ten per cent pre-Covid, and is adopting an omni-channel approach. Globally, as in India, The Body Shop operates on a franchise model. The beauty

Language’s footwear for women is handcrafted using the finest materials. The Isa sandal is made from flat grain and has a floral leather upper. The sandal can be paired with denims or smart casuals for work and is available in a bold navy blue with a beautiful floral print. The Delaney sandal is accented by a gun metal buckle, making these slip-ons just as classy as they are comfortable. Available in a pure white, the Delaney is perfect for every contemporary woman. The Lilith Ballerina is highlighted by chic golden trims and comes in an aesthetic pink. It is the go-to footwear for all formal and casual events. The fashionable Quinn sandal iscrafted from suede upper and an Eva sole. These sandals are just as easy to wear as they are stylish and are leather lined with a cushioned footbed and two elastic straps. The Quinn is available in an eyecatching redand is not only a perfect fit for a variety of occasions but is also a must-have in an everyday wardrobe.

Language Shoes is an Indian footwear and accessories brand offering a full range of leather products. It has men’s and women’s shoes, bags, and accessories. Language ensures that only the best goes into the making of any of its products by producing most of the raw materials in-house.