Right to Repair insights 2
Fix the worn. Reinvent what’s unworn.
Over the past two decades, global clothing production has more than doubled, while the lifespan of garments has decreased. Extending how long clothes are worn is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of fashion. In addition, momentum for change is growing.
With the introduction of Directive (EU) 2024/825, consumers now have better access to information on durability and repairability. This facilitates choosing repair over replacement. Alongside this, the upcoming Right to Repair Directive, expected from 2026, further strengthens the right to have products repaired. Together, these developments encourage brands to grant more accessibility to repair services.
At Fabriek Fris, we regard this as an opportunity to act. In addition to our production atelier and our dedicated academy focused on building and scaling fashion brands, we are exploring a new track focused on extending garment lifespan from the design phase. Approaches such as design for longevity and design for repair, assume that users will choose repair when it is accessible and appealing.
Even the best-designed garment eventually needs to be repaired. As an atelier, we embrace this moment. At the same time, barriers remain. Emotional attachment, cultural norms, cost, and lack of skills all influence whether people choose repair. Expectations also play a role, repair is a craft, and outcomes may differ from what users imagine.
To address this, we are developing a better repair experience. AI helps bridge the gap between expectation and reality, for example by simulating how a garment could look after repair. We also explore how AI can improve efficiency and reduce costs, one of the main barriers to repair.
By connecting to existing logistics networks, we make repair more accessible and sustainable.
We also introduce visible repair techniques such as shashiko, opening the door to creative upcycling.
The future of fashion lies not only in creating new garments, but in caring for the ones we already have.
#Makeclothesworklonger
Written by Rosan van Boven
>> See further insights on design and upcoming regulations at Normina