At Thriftd, while our main focus is providing a platform for thrifting sustainable fashion and other goods; we’re also a community dedicated to supporting and amplifying the efforts of businesses committed to making a positive environmental impact. It’s with great excitement and a shared sense of purpose that we celebrate eBay Australia’s Circular Fashion Fund, an initiative that aligns perfectly with our values of promoting circular fashion and reducing waste.
This year, the spotlight shines brightly on Dempstah who was awarded $100,000, followed by the commendable runners-up, RCYCL and The Very Good Bra receiving $50,000 each. Each of these businesses exemplify the innovative spirit and commitment to sustainability that we at Thriftd hold dear. As we dive deeper into the achievements of Dempstah and acknowledge the contributions of RCYCL and The Very Good Bra, let’s remember the collective effort required to drive the fashion industry towards a more sustainable and circular future.
Dempstah: Pioneering Circular Fashion with Innovation and Purpose
In an era where the environmental impact of fashion is increasingly under scrutiny, one Australian brand stands out for its commitment to sustainability and innovation: Dempstah. Recently honoured as the recipient of eBay’s prestigious 2024 Circular Fashion Fund, Dempstah is not just a beacon of sustainable practices but a testament to the power of visionary thinking in addressing the fashion industry’s waste problem.
A Journey Towards Circularity
With Australians purchasing an average of 56 new clothing items annually and discarding 200,000 tonnes into landfill each year, the need for a sustainable revolution in the fashion industry has never been clearer. Recognizing this, eBay Australia, in collaboration with the Australian Fashion Council, established the Circular Fashion Fund to foster innovation and support businesses committed to circular fashion principles. Among the finalists, Dempstah emerged victorious, securing a $100,000 AUD prize fund, a recognition that underscores the importance of its mission and the potential impact of its work.
The Visionary Behind Dempstah
At the heart of Dempstah is Guy Dempster, a designer and founder whose extensive experience in fashion and textiles across the globe has shaped his understanding of the industry’s challenges. Dempster’s journey is one of passion and purpose, driven by the conviction that the prevailing model of textile production and consumption is unsustainable. This belief led to the creation of Dempstah, a design practice that transforms Australian textile waste into valuable resources, thereby challenging the industry’s status quo.
Innovating for Impact
Dempstah’s approach to sustainability is both innovative and pragmatic. By collaborating with a network of international and local textile mills, Dempstah recycles textile waste into spun yarn, creating new life for materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill. This process is not just about waste reduction; it’s about reimagining what fashion can be in a circular economy. The company’s efforts to establish fibre recovery facilities in Australia, including a planned mill in North West Tasmania, reflect a commitment to local production and waste traceability.
The significance of Dempstah’s work was recently highlighted in a collaboration with the Salvos and the City of Sydney, where post-consumer waste was transformed into 500kgs of 5ply cotton and wool blend yarn. This initiative not only showcased the practical applications of Dempstah’s recycled materials but also served as a powerful example of what collaborative, sustainable efforts can achieve.
Driving Change in the Fashion Industry
eBay Australia’s Fashion Lead, Anne-Marie Cheney, emphasised the role of circularity in the future of fashion, stating that initiatives like the Circular Fashion Fund are crucial steps towards this transition. Dempstah, along with runners up RCYCL and The Very Good Bra, are at the forefront of this change, driving the industry towards a more sustainable and responsible model.
As we look to the future, Dempstah’s achievements offer hope and inspiration. The brand’s success is not just in its innovative products but in its broader mission to challenge and change how we think about fashion, waste, and sustainability. By prioritising circular principles, Dempstah is not only contributing to the environmental health of our planet but also leading the way for others in the industry to follow.
A Call to Action for Sustainable Fashion
Dempstah’s recognition by the eBay Circular Fashion Fund is a call to action for consumers, designers, and the industry at large. It highlights the urgent need for sustainable practices and the potential for innovative solutions to make a significant impact. As consumers, we have the power to support brands like Dempstah that are committed to making a difference. By choosing sustainable, circular fashion, we can all contribute to a more sustainable world, one garment at a time.
As Dempstah continues to lead by example, let us be inspired to rethink our own fashion choices and support the movement towards a more sustainable, circular fashion industry. The journey towards sustainability is one we must undertake together, and thanks to innovators like Dempstah, we have a roadmap to follow.
