Gen Z "revives" old clothes.

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Modern fashion is facing a paradox: the more it develops, the more negative consequences it leaves for the environment. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the fashion industry accounts for about 10% of global CO2 emissions. In addition, the textile and dyeing industry is the second largest cause of water pollution globally, contributing about 20% of industrial wastewater.

Dinh Thi Tuyet "reborn" old jeans and faded t-shirts into useful and meaningful items.

Amidst the whirlwind of fast fashion 's "buy fast - discard fast" trend, in Sam Son ward, Dinh Thi Tuyet, born in 2002, is patiently creating a counter-trend: transforming old clothes into unique and sustainable products. In her small room of less than 15 square meters, this Gen Z girl works diligently at her sewing machine every day, surrounded by fabrics, scissors, thread, faded jeans, or outdated shirts that she meticulously cuts and sews.

No one would have guessed that the fashionable handbags and dresses displayed so attractively on Tuyet's social media were "reborn" from old clothes. Sharing about how she got into this unique work, Tuyet said: "Initially, I only accepted old clothes from family and friends to repurpose into handbags and dresses. I posted pictures on Facebook as a way to showcase my creations, but unexpectedly, many people showed interest and asked if they could send me their clothes to be remade."

Within just a few weeks, Tuyet received dozens of orders, mostly from young people who shared her views on recycling and using eco-friendly products. Her first products, such as crossbody bags, dresses made from jeans, and tote bags made from old shirts, quickly garnered praise and new orders.

For Tuyet, "reviving" old clothes is not simply about sewing or designing. Each product sent to a customer carries its own story. Some send back their late father's jacket, wanting it transformed into a keepsake. Others want an old wedding dress repurposed into a gift for their daughter.

When asked about the goal of this work, Tuyet simply said: "I want people to see that old clothes aren't necessarily waste. If you dedicate time and effort, they can absolutely become something useful, beautiful, and valuable." However, along this journey, Tuyet also encountered many difficulties. From a lack of suitable materials and rudimentary machinery to marketing and promoting the products, everything had to be learned through trial and error.

"Sometimes I receive used items that are too damaged, torn, faded, and almost beyond repair. But because customers place their trust in me, I still try to find ways to fix them. Sometimes I lose money, working for one or two days and only selling a few tens of thousands of dong worth of goods. But I still want to continue because of my passion and to spread awareness about environmental protection to others," Tuyet confided.

On average, Tuyet receives about 10-15 recycling orders per week, mostly through social media. This Gen Z girl is also planning to open a class to teach recycling to local students.

More and more young people of Generation Z are choosing a "green lifestyle," from eating and consumption to fashion. Instead of chasing designer brands, many are willing to wear old clothes, hunt for second-hand items, or choose recycled handcrafted products. On TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, it's easy to find videos with titles like "Recycling old clothes into hot trends," "DIY from old jeans," "Refashion outfit," etc., attracting millions of views. This shows that the need to change fashion mindsets is gradually forming, especially among young people. However, for this movement to truly spread and create a strong transformation, it still needs a lot of support from the media, education , and policies promoting green entrepreneurship and green innovation. The transformation of fashion doesn't come from dazzling runways, but can begin in a small room, a few meters of old fabric, and a young heart yearning for change, like Tuyet's.

Fashion – an industry often described as glamorous and luxurious – not only costs billions of dollars annually but is also one of the leading contributors to environmental pollution. Therefore, in the context of a seriously threatened environment, small actions like recycling old clothes by Dinh Thi Tuyet are contributing to a positive impact.

Text and photos: Phuong Do

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/gen-z-tai-sinh-quan-ao-cu-258846.htm