Where are you from?
I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana.
How long have you been in Denver and what do you love about it?
I moved to Denver in 2021 for graduate school. I love the community in Denver and the mountains are a plus.
Tell us about your background. How did you get into sewing/up cycling?
My background is interesting, I got my bachelor's in psychology and my master's in social work with a concentration in ecological justice. I never would have thought that I would be a full-time business owner. When I was in graduate school, I kept finding myself focusing on the social and environmental impacts of the fashion industry. With the egregious amount that the fashion industry produces, there is A LOT of waste. It seemed natural in my mind to repurpose materials that we already have to create new, unique clothing that can be loved for longer. I thrifted a sewing machine in 2021 and started teaching myself how to adapt clothing that already exists in 2023.
Why did you start The Clothing Cycle?
I technically started The Clothing Cycle from my dorm room my senior year of undergrad. I was just selling clothes on Depop at that point. Once I learned more about the harms fashion industry, regenerative design, and grassroots organizing; I decided to shift the business model to source from in-person clothing swap events.
What are you dreaming about for this year?
This year, I am dreaming of more creative collaborations and doing upcycling workshops for the community!
Are there any clothing brands/ designers that you appreciate?
The fashion designers and community in Ghana have always been a huge inspiration for me. Their community has been dealing with textile waste from the United States for over 30 years, and seeing how creative and collaborative they are inspired a lot of what The Clothing Cycle is today.
Which event that you helped to produce are you particularly proud of?
My first fashion show was in November of 2023 with Women in Sustainability. We did a panel about sustainable fashion that I was able to moderate, and it was really amazing.
What do you see in the future for fashion?
Less production of new materials, repair of what we already have.
What's your favorite gift to give?
This may seem cliche, but I really do love finding people a piece of secondhand clothing that they love and that fits them well.
What's your super power?
I would say my super power is building community and faking it until I make it.
You give a lot to the community. How have you been supported?
The thing about community is, they support you as well! People come to help with sorting, help hang clothes at the swaps, and we upcycle together! I would not be where I am today without community support.
Anything else you'd like to share?
We are doing another fashion show! 2/22 from 6-9pm at Blossom House.
Follow us on instagram, join our email list, or add our community event calendar to your calendar at linkpop.com/theclothingcycle.
Join us every third Sunday at Off the Bottle for a clothing swap along with upcycled clothing and curated vintage