In an exclusive interview with MEGAStyle, Nirvana Collective taught us about circular fashion through their conscious approach to preloved clothing
Sustainability has been the talk of the town for quite some time now, and it’s no surprise why. With fast fashion taking a toll on the environment, more and more brands are shifting towards sustainable practices. However, it’s not just the big brands that are doing their part for the planet. Enter Nirvana Collective, an independent Filipino brand that’s redefining the way we shop for preloved clothing.
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Nirvana Collective’s founder, Erica Dee, shared with us the story behind the brand’s inception. “The co-founders of Nirvana have always been avid online thrift shoppers. However, during the pandemic, [we] realized how shopping through social media was taxing—payment methods were done manually, posting of each piece of clothing was cumbersome, and selling the clothes was confirmed through comments on a first come, first serve basis.”
So, the team put their heads together and came up with a solution. “We brainstormed on making these challenges more efficient by creating an online e-commerce community that allows anyone to consign and sell their clothes with us,” said Erica.
“Our brand partners with individual contributors who just have to sign up on our website. Then, we pick up their items and do the rest, such as marketing, ads, photos, deliveries, and much more—leaving all the hard work to Nirvana.”
But what sets Nirvana Collective apart from other brands that are selling preloved clothing? Erica explained, “Our contributors come from various backgrounds, from big influencers, micro-influencers, thrifters, thrift shop owners, [to] people who just want to let go of their clothes. Nirvana becomes the go-to consignment thrift shop for anyone. With clothing coming from contributors with unique styles, Nirvana ensures our pieces remain unique and curated. We meticulously conduct quality checks and give our contributors the option to get back rejected pieces or give them to our partner charities such as Angat Kalikasan Pilipinas and Caritas.”
She continued, “But what sets us apart most is the Nirvana experience—our promise to ensure a seamless process from pick-up to sale for our customers and our contributors.”
When asked about what’s needed to accelerate the circular fashion transition, Erica shared, “In the Philippines, ukay-ukay has been ingrained in our culture since the 1900s. The clothes in ukay-ukay stores were usually given as donations from NGOs to the country. Today, secondhand clothes take a new connotation—one that aligns with sustainability, uniqueness, and quality pieces worth the spend. To accelerate the transition to circular fashion, it’s integral to think of how it aligns with your customers today. That’s why we at Nirvana came together to reimagine ukay-ukay culture in the Philippines—one that harnesses a conscious curated ethos of sustainability, simplicity, and affordability while ensuring seamlessness and convenience.”
“We need to encourage one another to do better and be better by having an open mindset towards shopping secondhand [clothing] and remove the stigma that serves as a barrier.”
Erica Dee, founder of Nirvana Collective
So, how can the average person practice circular fashion in their own way? “Baby steps are always key. Things like avoiding overconsumption [and] impulse buying can really help,” advised Erica. “I think a lot of people don’t realize that giving hand-me-downs is already a form of circular fashion. But why not take it a step further and share these with people other than your family and friends? Who knows—it might just be the piece that somebody was looking for.”
It’s inspiring to see brands like Nirvana Collective paving the way towards a more sustainable future for fashion. With their conscious approach to preloved clothing and their dedication to a seamless shopping experience, they are setting an excellent example for the industry to follow. By supporting brands like Nirvana Collective, we can all take steps towards a more sustainable and circular fashion system. So why not try consigning your own preloved clothes with Nirvana or shopping from their unique and curated selection? Let’s make a difference and contribute to a more sustainable future for fashion, one piece at a time.
The post This Independent Pinoy Brand is Teaching Us All About Circular Fashion appeared first on MEGA.
This Independent Pinoy Brand is Teaching Us All About Circular Fashion
Source: Insta News Pinoy
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