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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

How Old Clothes Became Big Business

From The RealReal dropping upcycled collections to LVMH planning to launch a platform to sell off deadstock fabrics, fashion is finding value in its excess.
An upcycled Balenciaga jacket and sweatshirt for the launch of The RealReal's ReCollection programme. Philip-Daniel Ducasse.
An upcycled Balenciaga jacket and sweatshirt for the launch of The RealReal's ReCollection programme. Philip-Daniel Ducasse.

Every year, unused fabric costs the fashion industry about $120 billion, according to analysis by online deadstock marketplace Queen of Raw. For some large companies, that can amount to a 15 percent hit to the bottom line on an annual basis.

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