Welcome to ReviveXclusive
ReviveXclusive is all about breathing new life into the fashion industry. We take the discarded denim from old garments, meticulously deconstruct and reconstruct them, and transform them into cutting-edge streetwear that stands out from the crowd.
The creative process is a blend of artistry and innovation.Reimagining the trash of fashion, infusing it with it’s own unique style and vision. Each piece created tells a story, a story of transformation and reinvention.
When you wear ReviveXclusive, you're not just wearing another piece of clothing. You're wearing a statement, an expression of individuality and sustainability. Join in rewriting the rules of fashion and being a part of a movement towards a more conscious and responsible industry.
inspired by my dad
the idea of ReviveXclusive being musically influenced came from me wanting to integrate parts of my life. The music and dance side of me comes from my dad. It is not just the way music has impacted him and myself, but the way that my dad carries himself and his general energy. The video goes through some of the ways he was impacted by music throughout his life and his development as an individual.
behind the brand
Cassidy Dixon - the creator of ReviveXclusive
The young South-African woman from Melbourne Australia - aka Me
I really wanted to fuse together my love for music and fashion reinvention so I created my first collection “recycling 101”
it displays how fashion can still be edgy, stylish and unique while being sustainably and ethically conscious.
Using only deadstock and secondhand materials, I am able to prevent a vast amount of textiles being dumped into landfill.
the life cycle of a revivexclusive product
sourcing
I really wanted to make the garments in a way that did not leave a negative impact on the environment. I reached out to people in my community through Facebook and they gave me denim products they didn’t want anymore. I was also asked my friends and family, as well as using some of my own old clothes.
But the biggest contributor was Textile Recyclers Australia in Ravenhall, VIC.
I had established a connection with the owners, they organised some denim material for me to use (can be seen in the original concept video).
construction
after deconstruction, the construction of a new garment begins. Generally, the designs are predetermined from the analysis stage.
Patterns used would be existing ones, altering shape if needed.
The waste from these designs are kept aside later for waste designs and appropriate recycling if needed.
These waste designs are kept the same to allow for dependability and cohesiveness.
To follow, wash-away material would be used to create a “trash textile”, used in accessories.
analysis
from the sourcing of the material, I then analyse what I have and the design possibilities. Seeing that the denim is reclaimed, recycled and sample pieces, I am not working with big panels - this is something I must take into consideration when designing and trialling.
At this stage, I am draping, swatch testing and looking at silhouettes.
If the material is rare or uncommon, I will look for a statement style or shape so that the colour/texture/graphic pops out. After this stage, I begin deconstruction for design.
consumption
Products can be found online and in-store. The store consists of music, vintage clothing and small-maker brands. A collaborative, inclusive space.
Products are shipped in compostable packaging - at this stage, Australia-wide only. This limits carbon emissions and allows for a healthy business growth.
deconstruction
this is the part where I will take as much material that I can to use from an existing garment.
Often waistbands from jeans/shorts/skirts won’t be used, unless there is a specific design in mind - the material is too thick and small to be reused regularly.
Pieces such as pockets and jeans seams will be collected for use in designs. Often the jeans seam detailing is used a lot throughout collections.
Deconstruction follows trying to retain larger pieces but taking as much blank material as possible.
return/recycle
customers will receive a return mailer. This allows them to return the garment back to the brand for further recycling or being sold as ‘preloved’. From this, customers can get brand vouchers and discounts to be used for future.
The returned products will be assessed and either deconstructed for material use, cleaned for reselling, or deconstructed as much as possible and sent to the appropriate recycling company. Most of the time, materials will be cut into smaller pieces for the ‘trash textile’, sending material out for external recycling is the last resort for ReviveXclusive.
ABOUT ReviveXclusive
ReviveXclusive is all about connection, reclamation, individuality and creating a new story.
At ReviveXclusive I am able to take existing denim products, that would have otherwise gone into landfill or shreds, and turn them into something beautiful.
Because ReviveXclusive believes in reducing waste, rather than creating more, our principles are built on those of sustainability. With all products being slow and made by hand, it creates a deeper understanding and admiration between maker and consumer. Knowing that each garment is made by hand by a single creator adds to the value of the garment.
Products from ReviveXclusive are made to be individual and one of a kind. Those products that are repeated, are “waste designs”. This means that the repeated products such as our detachable hoods and classic tank tops are made from the waste of other designs. So, technically speaking, ReviveXclusive will never have a product that is exactly the same!
It is important to recognise that because we work with materials that are already in the system, the materials can be unpredictable, but that’s what makes them special. Taking denim from surrounding communities and working with Textile Recyclers Australia, turns trash into treasure.
The way that I am able to carry this core value through my work is making sure that each piece IS unique, and you can see where it all started for the garment. Keeping the integrity of the source and making sure that people can see the story through a singular piece of clothing, not needing to see the whole collection to put the puzzle together.
As an evolving designer, I was always drawn to making something out of nothing. If there was a top or jacket in my personal closet that I didn’t really wear often anymore, I would think to myself, ‘what can I add, take away or manipulate to make it better?’, this is where my love for upcycling and reinvention was born.
ReviveXclusive was also inspired by my dad. He always encouraged me to follow my dreams and be as creative as possible. From a young age, he influenced me through music. He was a DJ in his early days, and I feel like his love for music is carried through me. The hip-hop and RnB genres being heavy inspirations for the basis of ReviveXclusive – graffiti, dance and grunge aesthetics are some that I really like blending and have flowing through my creations ongoing. I love being able to include pieces of myself and my origins in my work, while being able to connect with like-minded individuals.
SUSTAINABILITY
Aside from personal origins, ReviveXclusive was built on sustainability. This means that rather than causing harm to the environment, we are being as respectful and responsible in the sourcing, production, and distribution of the product as possible. New materials are never bought – if they are bought, they are bought deadstock or second-hand. Never adding new product into the system, using those materials that are already in it. All materials either come from individuals or communities that have donated their old denim products, textile recycling plants such as Textile Recyclers Australia or from charity shops and deadstock fabric suppliers. However, if new materials are bought from deadstock suppliers, they are small pieces such as trims, features, buttons, and other closures.
Each piece is thought out depending on what is available, considering colours and textures of the existing denim piece and brainstorming the possibilities for the future of the garment. Features from the existing denim products such as pockets, seams and embroidery will be taken out and used in a unique way to show them off, compared to the previous garment where they might have flown under the radar.
Leading from this, the afterlife of the reinvented garments will go further in the recycling scheme. Once the garment is made, the waste will be used in the “waste designs”. These designs are the classic tank top and the detachable hood. The garment feature is made to be the waste from previous garments – patchwork almost. Waste won’t only come from the production of the reinvented garments but reinvented garments that have been brought back to the brand. Part of the sustainable business design is to have a buy back system. Customers can bring back their garments to be resold as “preloved” or used for further material for new pieces.
It is vital that our customers know what they are buying, where it comes from, and where it can go to better the environment and fashion system.
If products cannot be used to further recycling, they will be deconstructed to use certain pieces, cut small for ‘trash textile’ or sent to Textile Recyclers Australia to be disposed of responsibly.