1. 《LIFE+》Magazine
  2. 《LIFE+》Magazine Issue List
  3. Summer 2023 Issue
  4. Give fashion a second life
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    10 July 2023
    Taking advantage of the fast fashion trend, consumers have been spoilt with wide choices of clothing while leading to the rapid growth of the fashion industry worldwide. Unfortunately, this has brought negative impacts on environmental protection and sustainability. Many manufacturers and consumers do not care about quality but affordability and the ever-changing designs to encourage a never-ending consumption cycle. The current short process from design to disposal wreaks long lasting havoc on our planet.

    “The fashion industry is sick,” says Matt Hui, a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London with a master’s degree in fashion knitwear. “The value of today’s fashion designers is being the problem-solvers when the industry is unhealthy. We should think of solutions to change the production processes in a socially responsible way.” He emphasises that they should make quality timeless clothing which can be worn in different ways to maximise its lifetime through ‘mix-and-match’ or upcycling to ensure that it never falls out of the fashion trend at the same time.

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    To this end, Matt believes that creative upcycling is one of the hottest trends in the fashion industry now.

    “Upcycled clothes are made from unwanted materials that would otherwise go to landfills,” explains he. “This could be unwanted clothing, unwanted textiles, clothing scraps from textile factories, or deadstock. Upcycled fashion designers upgrade, redesign or repurpose unwanted materials to turn them into new clothing or home furnishing items, and give them a second life, whether by combining them with other garments and materials or adding ornamental flare, like using embroidery and patchwork.”

    Upcycled clothing is not second-hand garments at discounted stores. Yet it is still affordable in the mid-to-high price range. Tailor-made with lots of handmade production steps, the upcycled garment is a highly personalised and one-of-the-kind masterpiece with the thought of sustainability behind it. “It involves time-consuming and complicated production process, from talking with the customers about the stories behind the original clothing, redesigning, mending, and looking for new materials for enhancement works, to the actual tailoring works,” adds he.

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      Matt collaborated with different fashion brands in upcycling fashion projects
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    At the Fashion Clinic studio in Kwun Tong, Matt and his team make upcycled clothing by redesigning, restoring and repairing with their creative fashion sense and high-end fashion craftsmanship. In addition to serving individual clients, he has also collaborated with various major brands like Calvin Klein, adidas, Kapok, as well as different organisations such as Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Hong Kong Commercial Radio.

    Though Hong Kong is lagging far behind North America and Europe on public acceptance of upcycled fashion, Matt is confident that local people will be a lot more receptive to this in the coming years. It is because our younger generations have been developing a sustainability mindset and a demand for personalised services while they like showing their individualism and unique personality through upcycled clothing.

    Photo courtesy of Matt Hui

    “As consumers, we should not care for instant shopping pleasure only, but also think of maximising the usage of the items we bought and how we can lengthen their lifetime,” concludes Matt.

    In celebration of its second anniversary, the historic Central Market will join hands with Matt this August to hold a sustainability living show, along with an upcycled fabric workshop in collaboration with The Salvation Army for kids to promote the concept of upcycling.

    Photo courtesy of Matt Hui

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