Fabric Republic

Introduction

In February 2021, our Foundation made a grant to Fabric Republic for the creation & equipment of a Clothing Processing Laboratory. Fabric Republic is an integrated clothing management system and an ethical fashion brand inspired by IASIS Non-Profit Organization and TAG GREEN Social Enterprise. Their technologies have positive environmental and social impact, as they aim to zero waste to landfill, no post-consumer waste, fair trade, ethical rules and support of socially vulnerable people. The process followed starts with the collection of excess clothing, sorting, disinfection, classification, packaging & storage to the distribution of the clothing in good condition to solidarity organizations or the upcycle and re-use of the items in bad condition.

One aspect of the Fabric Republic Program is to make sustainable fashion accessible for everyone, regardless of background or financial ability. This is reflected in the clothing design through easy-to-wear and comfortable shapes at affordable prices. Special focus is given to reach out and appeal to the youth, from late teens to late 20s, students and young professionals. Fast fashion is perhaps the most important issue to tackle and the young people are its main consumers. Another significant aspect is the support of vulnerable social groups. Fabric Republic provides free, clean clothing to several non-profit organizations while at the same time it educates and employs socially vulnerable people through the program "Housing and Reintegration”.

Utilization of donation

Fabric Republic’s goal is more than ensuring the Program’s viability. It wishes to help more vulnerable people on the one side and strengthen the circular economy on the other, and the way to achieve this is with the creation of a Clothing Processing Laboratory. This will provide more consumers with a viable and ethical purchase option at an affordable price, thus enabling them to make a conscious buy.

Amongst others, the main benefits of organizing and staffing the Clothing Processing Laboratory will be multiple as:

- The processing of clothes will become easier, faster and more immediate.

- Clothes that cannot be reused will take new shape and use, giving them value again.

- Clothes that can be used will become more fashionable and desirable.

- Through workshops, beneficiaries of IASIS will be trained and learn to convert the second-hand clothes into useful items. They will have the opportunity to sell them on the e-shop and take the profits from their work in return.

- Jobs will be created for people belonging to vulnerable groups, giving them the opportunity for reintegration into the workplace and into the social fabric.