Introducing Our Newest Sustainability Champion, Thread Together!

True sustainable production isn’t just about carbon footprints and microplastics, it’s also about the people that consume our goods. Circular Fashion has been a central value to The Rushing Hour since the very beginning, and we are always looking for new ways to augment our production line to become more socially driven. We are very excited to announce the next chapter in our efforts to close the gaps in our production loop: as of May 2019, we are partnered with Thread Together!

The Current Situation

Many Australian people do not have access to clean clothing. These people represent some of the most vulnerable groups including at risk youth, the homeless, refugees, domestic abuse survivors, indigenous populations, and those facing long term unemployment. Clothing gives us confidence, comfort, warmth, safety, and can be a deciding factor in job interviews that would allow these individuals to escape their current predicaments. 

 

At the same time, humans are consuming about 14 million tonnes of fabric every year, 84% of which ends up in a landfill rather than finding a second life. An estimated $500 billion is lost industry-wide as new, unworn clothing is disposed of at the end of each fashion season. There is such a surplus of unworn clothing in circulation thatevery second, one garbage truck’s worth of unworn clothing is burned or landfilled.

Making Change and Solving Problems

Thread Together closes the gap between unused fashion items and the people who need them by connecting 30 fashion partners with 130 charity partners. Since its founding in 2012 by Andie Halas, their results are truly stunning: more than 100,000 people receive help from Thread Together each year, and, over the past five years, $8 million worth of new clothing has been redistributed to people who need it most.

Thread Together offers fashion items to vulnerable populations

Closing the Circle: New Beginnings

By sourcing new and unused clothing from fashion retailers, Thread Together is able to restore the pride and dignity of the most vulnerable people among us at no cost to them. Each individual is able to select a new, fashionable outfit that fits their needs as well as their individual style. In doing so, the person maintains their unique personhood and identity rather than being defined by their present situation. The best way to create a new beginning is to keep moving forward and we at The Rushing Hour are honored to be involved with Thread Together’s good work.