How Re-store’s upcycled textiles uplift marginalised communities in the workplace

Sitting at the junction between sustainability and diversity is no easy task for a business, but Re-store, a Singaporean social enterprise, is committed to creating an eco-friendly and equitable world. 

Founded by sisters Karen and Veronica Teo, as well as Karen’s daughter, Claudia Yong, Re-store is a passion project born out of their shared love for social impact and sustainability issues. After seeing that single mothers had their job prospects disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the trio founded Re-store to minimise the amount of textile waste in Singapore while uplifting vulnerable communities, creating a brand that uniquely mixes sustainability with compassion. 

Upcycling waste into distinctive pieces

The upcycling process begins with the sourcing of scrap textile that would otherwise go to waste. Re-store mainly collects their material from manufacturers, local brands and clothing factories, although they also accept donations. Fabric is then repurposed into lifestyle products by their team of seamstresses, with offerings ranging from bags to accessories like bucket hats and travel pouches. 

Due to the level of craftsmanship involved and the usage of upcycled fabric, no two pieces that Re-store sells are exactly the same, turning waste fabric into unique products that are then sold on their online store. Every product listed on their shop is at least 80% made of upcycled material — a feat that isn’t easy to achieve, considering the amount of textile waste produced annually in Singapore. 

Textile waste is one of Singapore’s emerging waste reduction problems. The city-state generated 211,000 tonnes of it in 2023, with only 2% eventually being recycled. Although recycling fabric is possible, it can only be done in large quantities with fabrics that are 100% cotton, posing a challenge in an era where most clothes are made of mixed materials for longer-lasting durability. Singapore’s lack of space further complicates recycling, as it means that any textile recycling processing has to be done in other countries like Malaysia, with the freight costs and energy used of shipping the textile waste overseas a factor in its difficulty. 

In response, more social enterprises in Singapore have recently been turning to encouraging thrifting or upcycling unwanted clothes to reduce waste. Although the thrifting phenomenon has recently been on the rise — in part thanks to Tiktok, where regular customers excitedly show off hidden gems they have found in these shops — experts have cautioned against relying on thrifting as a way to reliably reduce waste. Though it may be able to increase the life cycle of an item, there are increasing concerns that thrift stores may be used as a dumping ground for fast fashion or that it may simply add to rising levels of fashion consumption. 

In comparison, upcycling may be more sustainable in Singapore, which does not have the space to host a textile recycling factory — making the work that Re-store does incredibly important in reducing local waste generation. 

Supporting marginalised communities

Part of what also sets Re-store apart from other businesses is their commitment to ensuring workplace inclusivity. The Singapore-based brand has consistently been hiring from marginalised communities, collaborating with artists from all walks of life and representing them in the process. 

Currently, Re-store employs 11 individuals who have previously struggled with limited employment opportunities, whether it be due to physical or familial constraints. This includes individuals who are hard of hearing, single mothers, or the disabled. In particular, the brand employs a team of deaf seamstresses who work behind the scenes, creating each individual piece they sell. In order to accommodate their team’s wide range of needs, Re-store also offers flexible work hours for each individual, allowing them to continue working while allowing them to earn a fair wage. 

Re-store also has a weaving training programme available, designed to further empower those with disabilities. Two graduates of this programme, Clarence and Joshua, are the designers behind Re-store’s most recent collaboration with i’mable collective, an initiative by SG Enable and Singapore Fashion Council. The collection features one-of-a-kind hand-weaved coasters and laptop sleeves, all woven from upcycled materials. 

Although some doubters may voice concerns about whether Re-store’s business model is sustainable, the local brand is already making big waves. They’ve previously been featured on news outlets like Tatler Asia and the Straits Times, and have already collaborated with some huge multinational corporations. Just recently, Re-store collaborated with DIOR to host a tote bag workshop, inviting participants to bring their own pre-loved fabric scraps to be repurposed into a new tote bag that carried their own precious memories. 

Although it may still be small, Re-store’s business model is likely to serve as an inspiration for diversity in an industry that has historically and famously been exclusionary, especially to those who have disabilities. 

Ultimately, Re-store’s continual growth over the past five years is proof that there isn’t a need to compromise on diversity to continue growing in a sustainable direction. The willingness of organisations like Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Art Museum and DIOR to collaborate with it demonstrates that businesses are interested in committing to more diversity and equity in workplaces as well as eco-friendly waste reduction.