Assembly Label will now be selling pre-loved and secondhand styles in the name of sustainability

Turning the ‘buy, wear and ditch’ clothing model on its head.

When I was regularly buying fast fashion, ‘twinning’ (which sounds better than it actually is) was a frequently-encountered phenomenon. After scouring the internet for sparkly Friday-night garb, I’d settle on some variation of a crop top and skirt. I’d excitedly arrive at the event – awaiting the inevitable slew of new outfit compliments – only to find someone wearing exactly the same outfit, down to the accompanying contrast stretch belt. Devastating.

As my style has matured, I’ve learned that the beauty of a conscious wardrobe lies in its individuality. Comprised of one-off thrift finds, vintage gems, hand-me-downs and well-worn investment pieces, my closet is a glorious patchwork of pre-loved pieces. While someone might own a similar garment from three or four seasons ago, I know we won’t rock up in a carbon copy of the same outfit. Isn’t that wonderful?

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In the spirit of originality, sustainability and conscious fashion, Australian brand Assembly Label has launched the second edition of its Re-Worn capsule collection. Featuring 30 limited-edition items, the collection is comprised entirely of pieces returned by previous owners through Assembly’s Re-Worn program. Laundered, repaired and reinvigorated, the responsible range of basics – like denim, linen and knitwear – is designed to encourage shoppers to support a circular fashion economy.

Turning the ‘buy, wear and ditch’ clothing model on its head, Re-Worn (available from April 14) allows shoppers to both purchase pieces from previous collections and return their Assembly Label garments no longer in use. Anything looking a little worse for wear (I see you, spaghetti bolognese stain) will be recycled through SCR Group, a local company specialising in the recovery of unwanted clothing. If the pre-loved piece can’t be reused here in Australia, it’ll be sent to Assembly Label’s partner facility in Malaysia, where clothing is recycled into rags or converted into biofuels.

“Re-Worn was inspired by some of the incredible circular practices and resource recovery work that we’ve seen achieved internationally,” Assembly Label CEO Lee Thompson explained. “The response and ongoing demand for this initiative from our community has been overwhelmingly positive, and our Fitzroy pilot last year has given us the confidence to keep building on this offering.”

That’s right – Melbourne locals, you can shop the exclusive Re-Worn collection at the Assembly Label store on Brunswick Street. And while you’re picking up something new (to you), offset your purchase by trading in a piece you no longer wear. Buy consciously, love for as long as you can and keep your clothing out of landfill.

Shop Re-Worn online or in-store at Assembly Label Fitzroy from April 14.