Orsola de Castro

Orsola de Castro is an upcyclist, fashion designer, and author.

Orsola is the co-founder and creative director of Fashion Revolution, an activism movement which works towards a sustainable fashion industry. De Castro has been in the sustainable fashion space for more than 20 years. Since founding upcycling brand, From Somewhere, in 1997, a fashion label that addressed and repurposed pre-consumer textile waste. From Somewhere’s 100% upcycled collections have sold around the world featured regularly in the international fashion press. Collaborations include upcycled collections for Tesco, Speedo and Topshop.

Estethica

In September 2006 Orsola, together with her partner Filippo Ricci, started Estethica. A dedicated ethical fashion showcase at London Fashion Week for the British Fashion Council. Estethica ran from 2006 to 2014 showcasing designers such as Christopher Raeburn, Katie Jones, Bottletop, People Tree and Veja.

In 2011, Orsola and Filippo founded Reclaim To Wear. An organization that brings designers, producers and distributors to create upcycled capsule collections. Reclaim To Wear collaborations include Livia Firth and Central Saint Martins. ‘Topshop’s Reclaim To Wear’, a collaboration running from 2012 to 2014. In which Topshop reclaimed surplus stock fabric from factories in Turkey, India and the UK to make 3 capsule collections.

Fashion Revolution

In 2013, together with Carry Somers, Orsola co-founded Fashion Revolution. A creative campaigning initiative aimed at raising awareness about the fashion industry’s human rights and environmental issues. Fashion Revolution was founded following the Rana Plaza 2013 Dhaka garment factory collapse in Bangladesh. Which happened on 24/4/2013 and took the lives of more than 1,100 garment workers. On the first anniversary of the tragedy. 62 countries took part in the first Fashion Revolution Day on 24 April 2014. Since, the campaign, more than 1 million people around the globe ask fashion brands “Who Made My Clothes?” on social media as a call for industry transparency.

De Castro wrote her first book, Loved Clothes Last. A memoir of her work as an upcyclist and practical guide to clothing longevity, mending and fashion activism.

Orsola continues to mentor emerging designers, both in her personal life and via The British Fashion Council, Fashion Open Studio. Whilst also being a visiting fellow at Central St. Martins. Her past mentees include Bethany Williams, Angus Tsui, Kevin Germanier, Katie Jones, and Matthew Needham.

IRK: Orsola de Castro tell us your “Why”?

Orsola: I believe fashion isn’t frivolous, and what we chose to wear has a huge impact on people and nature. Starting from my own wardrobe, I hope to inspire better habits, for a more sustainable future.

IRK: What are you most passionate about with respect to taking care of people and the planet? 

Orsola: Taking care of people and planet.

IRK: What are some conscious actions you implement in your daily life?

Orsola: Firstly I would prefer not to call them ‘conscious actions’. Conscious is the opposite of catatonic, which I am not. Therefore everything I do is in a state of being awake. I do my best in every action I take, but it isn’t always easy living in London as I do. I do all of the above, but I also recognize that as an individual my actions won’t instigate enough change. We need to keep pushing for legislations, regulations, and support from governments. It can feel very frustrating to do one’s best when you hit obstacles you can’t control. But I continue regardless, small steps, little things. Don’t stop.

IRK: What’s your hope for the future of the planet? ​

Orsola: love this Earth.

What Sustainable Development Goal do you align with the most? (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

Orsola: Goal: 5 – Gender Equality