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Be fashion forward: Upcycle your wardrobe (17.01.12)


Have you ever thought that instead of donating your unwanted clothes to charity you could upcycle them?

"Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value" (Source)

Welsh fashion brand Zolibeau aim to do just that and have been running RE:FASH workshops in The Womens Workshop in Cardiff helping women with basic sewing techniques and practical tips to modernise, remake and add personal touches to outdated wardrobes.

Emina and Kelly from Cylch booked on to a course to find out what upcycling was all about!

About Zolibeau

Sisters Sarah and Julia, and their mother Linda started Zolibeau in the summer of 2009. They have always loved searching charity shops for clothing to up-cycle or would re-invent items from their own wardrobes. 

“We were unhappy with main stream fashion and have always had a passion for recycling. We wanted to promote ethical lifestyle choices and to make beautiful items from discarded clothes or fabric to produce high fashion pieces that would not look out of place in any fashion boutique.”
 
Since then we’ve had many successes including our first fashion show in December 2009. 
 
Early in 2010 they started selling their clothing at Vintage and boutique markets around South Wales building up a regular clientele and have since organised other successful fashion shows.
 
With a background of working with vulnerable people, Zolibeau is often approached to work with various community groups and run creative workshops, which often includes up-cycling clothing. 
 
Organisations they have worked with:
  • Barnardo’s
  • Kidney Research Charity
  • Women’s Workshop
  • Oxfam Boutique
  • Gate Arts centre
  • Cardiff Council
  • Communities First

The RE:FASH Workshop is held at The Women's Workshop in Butetown, Cardiff, contact them on 02920 493351 for more details.