“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” This holds true for Monica Vivar, fashion stylist and founder of Denuo, an eco-conscious lifestyle brand that aims to repurpose and reclaim pre-loved clothing.
Vivar reckons that fashion has become disposable, with 80 percent of post-purchase going to waste. She also thinks that women lose the power of self-expression by changing fashion pieces frequently. Vivar’s way of self-expression and empowering women has encouraged her to meld her style with sustainability; she believes in the greater value of pre-loved and vintage items.
According to a survey conducted by Carousell Philippines, 67 percent of 860 Filipino females, buy a new piece of clothing every month. Their top three reasons for purchasing are: “I saw it on sale”, “For retail therapy”, and “For special occasion.”
The classified marketplace also found that more than 50 percent of Filipino women have at least 20 pieces of underused clothing in their closets. Fifty-two percent of the respondents said they sell them away, 21 percent give it to a close friend, and 16 percent leave it in their closets.
“Overconsumption is both a global and Filipino problem,” said Sophia Calugay, Fashion Revolution’s country director in the Philippines. “In 2017, 65 percent of Filipino adults have thrown clothes away.”
Fashion Revolution is a global movement that educates consumers on the impact of their clothing purchases, raises awareness of the fashion industry’s most pressing issues, advocates for positive change, and celebrates those who create a more ethical and sustainable future for fashion.
To change the way Filipinos consume commodities, Carousell Philippines and Fashion Revolution hosted Treasure Market, the first pre-loved bazaar for sustainability. The curated bazaar featured booths of Tricia Gosingtian, Janina Manipol, Raiza Contawi, and more.
“People used to associate pre-loved clothing with messy piles of clothes from the local ukay-ukays. However, this perception is changing. Buying pre-loved (clothing) is not only eco-conscious but also a way to create a unique style,” said Carousell Philippines marketing manager Marita Galvez.
She added, “It’s no surprise that Women’s Fashion is the most popular category on the Carousell marketplace with 350,000 listings, out of which 70 percent is pre-loved.”
In fact, the “pre-loved” trend is gaining traction in the Philippines, especially among the fashion-conscious crowd. Majority or 76 percent said they are proud to wear pre-loved clothing. The top three reasons? It helps them save money, it makes their styles unique, and they enjoy the thrill of second-hand shopping.
Vivar agrees, saying that valuing and taking care of what people have in their closets and learning to experiment and combine pieces can help reinvent one’s fashion style.
