Oliver Spencer urges brands to copy his pioneering "Repurpose" circular initiative

Oliver Spencer has unveiled one of the UK's first 360-degree circularity initiatives – to extend the life cycle of a fashion garment by up-cycling, reusing, or re-purposing the garment and its constituent textiles – and is urging other fashion brands to follow suit.

“We want to shout about this not to pat ourselves on the backs but to get the word out and encourage other brands to do the same,” said the menswear designer and brand founder Spencer. “In fact, this is the first and last time you’ll hear me asking brands to copy us, but that is the goal! The more that get on board, the better, which is why we’ve recruited Jack to help us spread the word.”

The Repurpose initiative incentivises customers to return end of life garments in exchange for credit. The methods for repurposing them depends on the condition of the items and their composition.

• Single-fibre garments – garments made exclusively from single fibres such as cotton or wool are processed, and their base material shredded and decoloured to create pulp which is eventually spun into new yarn that can be used in the creation of new garments.
• Mixed-fibre garments – for garments crafted from mixed fibres, Oliver Spencer established a partnership with a social enterprise that also serves as an academic institution, allowing to channel these fabrics into educational programmes where they can be upcycled or downcycled.
• Footwear and accessories – all footwear is directed to a specialised facility where shoes are split into their sole units and uppers. Rubber soles are downcycled into faux leather or fully recycled into new sole units while uppers undergo a similar process. Other materials, such as plastics and metals, are separated and find new life in various applications, from playgrounds to furniture.

To launch this new initiative Oliver Spencer has partnered with the award-winning filmmaker and documentary producer Jack Harries, a vocal champion of environmental campaigning and an advocate for climate justice. Harries, who is also an Oliver Spencer customer, has been a vocal champion of environmental campaigning ever since he launched his YouTube channel ‘JacksGap’ in 2010. 

Oliver Spencer is one of the UK's best known menswear designers and has always places sustainability at the heart of his business by using ethically sourced, high quality materials and factories primarily based in the UK and Portugal. The brand is sold on the Oliver Spencer website, its four stores in London and via wholesale partners including END., Matches and Liberty.