How zero-waste design and upcycling is playing a role in sustainable fashion
Barrio Studios, founded by Jamie Naval in 2023, repurposes textile waste into handcrafted products, addressing the Philippines’ growing fashion waste problem. Facing capacity challenges, Barrio partnered with ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, a pioneer in upcycling since 2016. The collaboration significantly increased textile processing capacity, reclaiming over 24,000 kilograms of fabric waste and upcycling 18,070 kilograms into new products. The partnership led to Barrio’s acquisition by ANTHILL, forming the ANTHILL Circularity Hub. The hub plans to train 10 more weavers in zero-waste techniques by the end of 2025. Despite growing sustainability efforts, the fashion industry still faces hurdles due to limited awareness and commitment from businesses. Advocates like Naval and Anya Lim emphasize the importance of education, partnerships, and community in promoting circular fashion practices. With greater collaboration and consumer understanding, the movement towards sustainable fashion in the Philippines is slowly gaining momentum. Learn more about this initiative.