Thami Schweichler from United Repair Center

There are countless sustainability initiatives, but whoever in the fashion industry is really driving the change – whether their efforts are visible to the general public or not? We interview Changemaker: Inside, consultant: inside, sustainability expert: Inside and activist: inside of fashion. What can we learn from your work?

In episode one: Thami Schweichler from United Repair Center, a company with a focus on circular economy and social responsibility.

Who are you and what is your background and specialist area?

“I am Thami Schweichler, founder and CEO of United Repair Center. My background is in design and social innovation. In the past fifteen years I have worked as a social contractor.”

“In my work with newcomers and refugees, I found out how much experience many of them bring from the clothing industry. I saw great potential – there is a lot of creative energy in the Netherlands, but only a few hands on the sewing machine. So I actually came to the fashion industry by chance.”

“Makers Unite, my previous organization, focused on the upcycling of textiles and offered people with a limited access to the Labor Market Training and Professional experience in the creative sector.”

“Three years ago, Paul Kerssens and I founded the United Repair Center. We develop and enable professional repair programs for clothing stamps such as The North Face, Decathlon, Rapha, Cortagu and Levi’s.”

What do you deal with? Where do you stand? What are milestones and successes?

“Our goal is to make repairs to the new standard. Our slogan is: ‘Repair is the new Cool’.”

“We support fashion brands in extending the lifespan of your products. Together with you, we develop a unique repair strategy and help to integrate it into your supply chain. This requires a company -wide approach – from technology and logistics to marketing to finance.”

“We started with the sustainable pioneer Patagonia, now twenty -five clothing stamps are connected.”

“We carry out around 50,000 repairs every year. Our strength lies in quality, speed and scaling (B2B). In 2024 we exceeded the sales limit of one million euros.”

“The social aspect is an important part of our business. We use textiles to create jobs for newcomers and refugees. Forty people are now working in the United Repair Center in Amsterdam. In the London branch ten. These are the people who carry out the high -quality clothing repairs.”

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Which tip, which lesson or which food for thought do you want to give our reader: with the inside?

“Repair plays a key role in the circular economy of the fashion industry. Clothing repair is not only necessary in the traditional sense in order to give a quality product a longer or second life – it is also a pioneer. Without a certain degree of repair, circulular services such as recommERCE, rental, renewal and withdrawal cannot simply exist.”

“European legislation is increasing sustainability. whether Brands have to offer repairs, but How.. “

“Repair is also an effective instrument when it comes to customers: internal connection, shopping experience and brand perception and strengthening.” “In the traditional linear model, the customer relationship often ends at the cash register. Repair is an opportunity to include the customer: and deepen the relationship at every further contact point. We use technology via portals, emails and memories because we want to make repairs a more attractive experience than to buy something new.”

“Repair offers service and experience. A well -repaired piece of clothing feels like an extension of the original value for customers and creates a positive, emotional bond with the brand. We often say: ‘A positive repair experience is a customer of life’.”

“And last but not least, the repair provides valuable product information. What breaks often breaks? What can be improved? This feedback can use brands directly for design and product development.”

How can the fashion industry achieve a larger (positive) effect or do things differently? How do you see the role of collaboration and/or innovation?

“Innovation at the product level is essential for a circular future. The combination of technology and craftsmanship is the core. The consumers are also playing a key role inside, because they are increasingly demanding sustainable behavior of brands. At the same time, the government has to specify the direction with clear laws and political framework.

“A study by the British Fashion Council among around 150 brands in the United Kingdom showed that over eighty percent have started a pilot test for circular innovation or a circular initiative. But none of these brands – literally none – said: ‘I know how to scale’.”

“Brands must have the courage to use circular innovations wider and implement them to a greater extent. State support can and should further promote this efforts.”

How do you see the future of the fashion industry? Is your glass half full or half empty?

“It is difficult to look into the future. I think the coming years will be challenging. The fashion industry will face many challenges – and we have not even talked about the political and economic uncertainties.”

“Nevertheless, I am hopeful. We are on the right track in the industry.”

“The support for sustainability is growing. More and more brands recognize: circularity is not optional, but a way to become future -proof. The clothing companies used to say: ‘Our customers do not ask about it’, now it is clear to them that repairs create added value and strengthen the call. Where we have worked together three or four years ago with the typical pioneers: we are now working with a much broader group of players: together.”

“In addition, I have found that the transition to the circular economy does not only take place in the Patagonias of the world. In every listed company in which the focus is on profit and continued existence, there are people who want to make a difference. Lululemon is an example of this is that brands translate sustainability into their core values.”

“After all, and that is perhaps the most important thing: with sustainability it is not just a matter of achieving positive effects – it can also be simply profitable. We have shown that in recent years. And the (the financial value) is also necessary to really get the circular economy going.”