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“Finding meaning and delight in the age of waste”  

ReFAB Studio offers creative and joyful ways to reduce textile waste by inspiring and empowering community tailors and students to embrace zero-waste designs and green skills while promoting circular economies. We focus on upcycling designer remnants from the interior sector, transforming them into bespoke, sustainable lifestyle pieces and home decor, while upskilling community artisans, particularly women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

ReFAB Studio uniquely combines upcycling and upskilling to deliver powerful environmental, social, and economic impact at the community level. We follow fair-trade principles to ensure our operations reflect the spirit of sustainability that we are founded upon.

Workshops

UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES

We are delighted to enable students of Fashion, Textiles, and Interior Design to engage with the challenge and opportunity of sustainable design and upcycling. We lead workshops on textile upcycling and upskilling, zero-waste design, and circular economy practices. Recently, we have engaged with students and professors at The Royal College of Art, Imperial College London, LCF UAL, and Morley College, while continually building relationships with institutions across the UK. 

Beyond workshops, we also collaborate with professors and students on research projects aimed at minimising waste and maximising green skills and opportunities in the sustainability design and practice. We also welcome young creatives at our studio for informal coffee mornings to share our experiences and brainstorm innovative ways to tackle interior textile waste.

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COMMUNITY TAILORS

We partner with community tailoring organisations to deliver Upcycling-Upskilling workshops for tailors from disadvantaged communities. The training includes learning to work with designer fabric remnants to create premium, bespoke products, a sustainable skill that can be monetised.

Recently, we delivered a series of workshops for the Network of International Women for Brighton and Hove (NIWBH) and The Arts Society. After completing the training, the women are confidently making and selling upcycled products in local markets, and we are proud to support their growth as part of their sustainability journey.

In the words of one of our tailors: Apart from all the learnings, the workshop made me feel like being a child again - it was playful and fun!

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WELLBEING-WORKSHOPS

ReFAB Studio is developing workshops for groups interested in creative activities to improve mental health and nurture sustainable lifestyles. These sessions can be delivered as CPD modules. Our sessions enable participants to disconnect from devices and explore various types of textiles as well as handcraft unique, eco-friendly pieces. The session offers an enjoyable escape from our often frenetic world, fostering relaxation, creativity, and a connection to sustainable living. 

For more information on our workshops, please contact hello@refabstudio.org.

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Testimonials

Testimonial Slider

Pammi Sinha, PhD, FHEA

Professor of Fashion Management, University of Leeds.

I believe that any student or educational establishment would benefit from hearing first-hand about ReFAB’s altruistic business model, including aspects of design, skilling, marketing, and business. ReFAB are passionate about their cause, spend a few minutes with them and you will come away energised and wanting to support if not join their mission!

Julieanne Murphy

Manager of The Collective at NIWBH.

The ReFAB workshops also build their confidence, give them a sense of belonging and purpose. Importantly, they prevent the group from being stuck and discouraged and as they begin to relax and enjoy the sessions, they get involved and discuss new ideas, it unlocks change and innovation which is key to their development.

Colin Fraser

Designers Guild

I have been impressed with ReFAB's dedication to upcycling and upskilling. They have learned and evolved to create better impact with every product they create. We appreciate their relentless focus and optimism. We are proud to support their growing impact in building sustainable communities.

Community Tailor at NIWBH

“I loved this ReFAB Studio workshop!” It made me feel like being a child again as you can be playful and fun, while learning.

Sabinna Rachimovar

Strategic Comms Consultant at Fashion Revolution and Founder of Sabinna Studios

Collaborating with ReFAB Studio for the Common Threads workshop and panel discussion was an inspiring and impactful experience. Their team brought an incredible depth of knowledge, creativity, and organisation to the planning process, ensuring that every detail aligned with the overarching goals of sustainability and community engagement. The event itself was a testament to their ability to create meaningful, inclusive spaces for dialogue and learning, leaving a lasting impact on all participants.

Our Shop

ReFAB Studio creates a limited edition of handmade products each year, crafted by our upskilled artisans. Each unique piece is made from upcycled designer fabric remnants, available in select boutiques, pop-ups, or right here online. 

Welcome to shopping that makes the world better!

COLLABORATION WITH DESIGNERS

We work with Interior and Textile Designers who are acutely conscious of the challenges of fabric waste in their industry and want to be a part of the solution. Interior Designers collaborate with us to dispose of textile remnants responsibly or have the option of commissioning handmade upcycled pieces by our upskilled tailors.  

If you are a designer interested in connecting with us, please contact us at hello@refabstudio.org

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CORPORATE COLLABORATIONS

We collaborate with corporates in various ways. See here for details on our various ways of engagement

CORPORATE GIFTS

Are you an organisation searching for meaningful, customised corporate gifts to share with your employees or associates? ReFAB Studio has the perfect, eco-friendly solution for you. 

Our beautiful handmade pieces—like totes, zip purses, and laptop covers—are a lovely way to underline your brand’s commitment to the planet and your community. Each piece is bespoke, handcrafted from recovered designer fabrics by the artisans we have upskilled. Our pieces happily embody environmental, economic, and social benefits, making your corporate gifts unique and meaningful. 

If this sounds interesting, do get in touch at: hello@refabstudio.org 

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Collaborators

Picture credits to Yeshen, Amy Chen and Georgina