Refash is redefining sustainable fashion by transforming discarded materials into wearable art. As the world’s largest upcycling platform, it curates visionary designs while fostering a global network of designers, artisans, and conscious consumers. More than a brand, Refash is an artistic movement—proving that sustainability and creativity can coexist. It challenges the disposable mindset, advocating mindful consumption and redefining waste with ingenuity and style.
Refash champions sustainability by extending the lifespan of clothing and promoting eco-friendly practices. As Singapore’s largest second-hand fashion destination, it encourages consumers to “think second-hand first” with curated thrift collections, reducing demand for new production and minimising fast fashion’s environmental impact.
The Take Back Programme simplifies conscious decluttering. Individuals donate unwanted garments, which are sorted, upcycled, or repurposed into new creations—supporting a circular economy and diverting textiles from landfills. Donors receive a Beginner’s Upcycling Kit and a discount on future purchases, fostering sustainable habits.
Beyond resale and upcycling, Refash nurtures community engagement through initiatives such as “Swap, Thrift & Sip”—a social event where participants exchange and thrift clothing in an interactive setting. These efforts collectively promote reuse, mindful consumption, and a more sustainable fashion industry.
Operating in the second-hand fashion market presents challenges requiring strategic solutions. One key hurdle is consumer perception, as second-hand clothing often carries a stigma. To address this, Refash invests in education and awareness campaigns highlighting the benefits of thrift shopping and upcycled fashion. Another challenge is maintaining quality control, as consistency in upcycled products demands stringent quality assurance. By setting strict guidelines and collaborating closely with designers, Refash ensures high standards while championing sustainability.
Despite these challenges, Refash has received a strong market response, reinforcing its impact on sustainable fashion. With strategic expansion, the brand has grown to 16 physical stores across Singapore, complemented by a robust e-commerce presence. Community engagement remains central, with initiatives such as upcycler meet-ups connecting designers, consumers, and sustainability advocates. These efforts strengthen community ties and reinforce the culture of conscious consumption. As part of its growth strategy, Refash is expanding into upcycling services, enabling brands to adopt waste-free design solutions. It is also establishing collection sites where customers can drop off textiles, giving them a new lease of life.
Founder Akanksha grew up immersed in fashion and manufacturing, exposed to the industry’s vast textile waste through her father’s beaded prom dress business. Rejecting the conventional retail cycle, she recognised upcycling as a transformative solution. Akanksha envisions a future where every brand features a Refash section, making sustainable fashion mainstream and offering consumers guilt-free luxury.
Refash is more than a brand—it is a movement revolutionising fashion through innovation, sustainability, and community-driven change. By blending creativity with conscious consumption, it challenges conventional retail norms and transforms waste into opportunity. Through upcycling, resale, and education, Refash makes sustainable fashion both accessible and desirable. As it grows, invests in technology, and nurtures a global network of designers and consumers, it sets a new standard—where sustainability is not a choice but the norm. With every upcycled piece, thrifted treasure, and community initiative, Refash proves that fashion can be both stylish and responsible—one transformed garment at a time.
About Refash. REFASH. (n.d.). https://refash.in/pages/about-us
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Ong, C. (2024, June 12). How otterhalf more than 3x roi for REFASH from a partnership programme. otterhalf.co. https://www.otterhalf.co/otterspace/navigating-partnerships-a-journey-with-refash-singapores-largest-thrift-store
Kawediya, M. (2023b, July 9). Refash’s first UPCYCLERS brand meet up – collaboration for a Greener Future. REFASH. https://refash.in/blogs/blog/refashs-collaborative-upcyclers-meet-united-for-a-greener-future
Ansari, F. (n.d.). A second life: “refash” is a homegrown platform turning “waste” into wearable art. Homegrown. https://homegrown.co.in/homegrown-creators/a-second-life-refash-is-a-homegrown-platform-turning-waste-into-wearable-art
