Expert Guest
Maurizio Donadi
Founder Atelier and Repairs
As the driving force behind Atelier & Repairs, Maurizio Donadi has assembled a concept that creatively weaves his personal affinity for all things well-lived with his desire to reconcile the excess he has witnessed. As a veteran of some of the biggest and most venerated global brands—helping bridge the business and creative arms of names like Armani, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s—he has more than 30 years of experience, studying the ways we interact with clothing.
Introduction
Our third installment of Master Talks from our Executive Education in Sustainable Fashion series, WeDesign Academic Director Jasonpaul speaks with Maurizio Donadi the creative force behind Atelier and Repair who mission is to lead the movement of excess reduction in the apparel and textile industries by responsibly connecting creativity with sustainability. Maurizio explain how he created Atelier and Repair after years being in positions that contributed to the current fashion crisis. Maurizio shares the challenges and opportunities to redefine fashion systems when there is no manual or book to say how to do things better. The key to Maurizio focus as a company is to be responsible in everything the company do, intentional in there design to create a more circular design process.
Main Topic
THE REPAIR ECONOMY
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“One in three women shopped secondhand last year and the resale market is expected to reach $41 billion by 2022, according to a survey from the online reseller Thredup, based mainly on data and research from outside firms.”
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“An estimated $500 billion worth of clothing that is barely worn and rarely recycled is lost annually. In simpler math, the average U.S. citizen throws away 70 pounds of clothing each year.”
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“The fashion industry [is poised to] use up a quarter of the world’s carbon budget by 2050, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.”
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“The clothing alteration services industry alone is a $2 billion industry with no one company dominating the sector, according to IbisWorld.”
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“The North Face teamed with Renewal to launch The North Face Renewed. While the initiative is a pilot program, this makes the $3.7 billion VF Corp.- owned brand the largest apparel company to try selling refurbished apparel.”
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“By fiscal year 2023, Patagonia expects Worn Wear to account for more than 10 percent of its overall business, according to Phil Graves, senior director of corporate development.”
Excerpts taken from “The Repair Economy,” Women’s Wear Daily. Source: https://www.eileenfisher.com/ns/images/media/18s-Media-Page-26.pdf
“Everybody is so tired of the broken systems, so there is a general need for a new approach. Future generations are no longer interested in ownership so that also allows us to be more improvised, flexible and focused on smaller runs. They will not need that much but they will become more picky.”
Reference
REFERENCES FROM THE CONVERSATION
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Atelier & Repairs
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Atelier & Repairs Is Maurizio Donadi’s Response to the “Broken” Fashion System
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Trove: Powering Resale for the World’s Most Inspired Brands
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The Renewal Workshop
“REPAIR ECONOMY” BRANDS
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RE/DONE
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Patagonia
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Worn Wear: https://wornwear.patagonia.com/
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BODE:
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Taylor Stitch/ RESTITCH
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Marine Serre
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Eileen Fisher, Renew
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
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Do you think “the repair economy” will be big business in the next 5 to 10 years? Do you think most brands should engage in this type of service/ output? Why or why not?
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What part of the repair economy do you see yourself personally engaging with? Or have you already used the repair economy in your own life? If so, how have you used it?
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What are some of the most exciting brands who are doing repair/ resale, in your opinion?
Q&A
Q: Do you see Atelier & Repairs growing if the demand for the “repair economy” grows? Do you have an interest or desire for this to happen?
A: TBD
Q: You personalize a lot of your clothing and refresh old pieces with one-of-a-kind and fresh detail. Do you see this as a critical aspect of the repair economy, or just one position or entry point?
A: TBD
Q: What is one company to work with/ or type of clothing/ or business idea which you’ve not tackled yet but would love to do?
A: TBD
