Posted on April 17 2024
In honor of Earth Month we are thrilled to be speaking to a founder who is making a difference when it comes to sustainability and technology in the fashion industry. Meet Nancy Rhodes, Co- Founder of Alternew.
ALLY Shoes: Can you share a bit about your background and journey that led you to co-found Alternew?
Nancy: I'm a footwear designer turned passionate circularity entrepreneur, with over 17 years of experience in the fashion industry as a footwear designer, having worked for everyone from Beyoncé and Kenneth Cole to Costco, Target, and Marshalls.
- Waste: The fast fashion cycle contributes significantly to environmental degradation, with millions of tons of textiles discarded each year. Today, the average American throws out 82 pounds of clothes each year.
- Lack of Accessibility: Tailoring and repair services are often perceived as costly or hard to find, leading many to discard clothes instead of repairing them, an issue of an antiquated and fragmented system.
- Disconnected Supply Chain: There's a gap between fashion brands, their customers, tailors, and repair services, making it difficult for each to benefit from one another.
ALLY Shoes: How do you envision Alternew addressing these challenges and making a positive impact for tailors, cobblers, and repair business owners as well as fashion brands?
Nancy: Alternew is fashions' key to unlocking circularity through elevated post-purchase alterations and repairs. Our technology enables all fashion brands the ability to offer alterations and repairs through our national network of local tailor shops.
By offering alterations and repair, fashion retailers reduce returns, increase customer loyalty, and support their sustainability initiatives, helping them be active participants in the circular economy. Customers engage knowing a brand "has their back", supporting not only their purchase, but making sure they have the perfect fit and love their clothes longer.
- Make it last: Start by being a thoughtful consumer — pick pieces that promise both style and durability to keep your wardrobe timeless. If you are looking for trend, have an end of use plan whether renting, selling, altering, or repairing. #buybetterwearlonger
- Tailor made: alter and repair your clothing. Investing in fit is investing in how much you'll love your clothes season after season. Repair your clothes to give them a second life, even if your plan is to resell or donate your items. 86% of unwanted apparel ends up in landfill so a missing button or seam could be the difference between a new owner and a trash can.
- Champion your favorite brands: Support the trendsetters who are truly weaving sustainability into the fabric of fashion. Remember it's about transparency, not perfection.
ALLY Shoes: As female founders in the tech industry, can you share any insights or experiences from your funding journey?
Nancy: Building a supportive network of mentors and allies is vital to the journey. Being part of a tech accelerator, ERA (Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator) that has not only provided funding, but also 4 months of programming for us to learn and connect, has created a foundation to support our growth. In addition, we've had a chance to meet other startups in our cohort, from climate tech to community platforms and healthcare, breaking silos and learning from each other.
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