Secondhand sparkle for the holidays ✨
When I started Next Season, the fundamental question I set out to explore was: can I build a thriving, financially sustainable, circular fashion brand?
This journey was rooted in remanufacturing - I started by unraveling sweaters that were at the end of their linear life (and therefore considered ‘waste’), repurposing the yarn to create new pieces.
But remanufacturing is only one part of the puzzle. Even if we ~actually~ got good at repurposing and recycling everything we make, it would not solve the twin problems of overproduction & overconsumption.
We’ve gotten so efficient at mass-producing products (and at externalizing the costs to such an extreme extent that we can manufacture and sell these products for artificially cheap prices), that the real challenge for consumer brands is not to create new products, but to create enough demand to sell them - hence the rise of mass marketing following the Industrial Revolution. It will take more than remanufacturing to shift away from this model.
There is no event more symbolic of overconsumption than Black Friday. And even though I’m excited about this week’s newsletter, I hesitated before hitting send today - partly because the ethos of Black Friday is in direct opposition to my brand values, and partly because I was worried it would get buried amidst the influx of promotional emails and messages you’re getting hit with. But once I’m done writing, I’m done - content calendar be damned.
So - holiday gifting. If you’re hoping to skip shopping all together this holiday season, I get it (and I’m right there with you). There are so many ways to ‘gift’ the special people in your life, without buying anything at all:
Regifting - pass on a great book you’ve already read or an item of clothing that would fit your friend perfectly
Making - cooking, baking, crafting, curating a playlist, the ideas are endless
Sharing - make a plan to share your time! Or you can always just share your favorite newsletter ;)
But shopping can also be a wonderful way to invest in your community, to support your local small businesses and to keep existing products in circulation versus buying something new. So in that spirit, I’ve done a little legwork for you & rounded up some options (& more resources) for shopping circular, second-hand, and small.
From most self-promotional to least →
I’ve just tied the bow on a new Next Season drop
Now available online, order by Dec 16th for delivery before Christmas
Hats and scarves are hand-made (by me!) in Brooklyn, utilizing 100% reclaimed ‘waste’ yarn (damaged sweaters, deadstock, and scraps)
Sparkly vintage sweaters - surprisingly versatile / easy to style
And bc who doesn’t love a (shoppable) mood board, here are items I’m drooling over, from my favorite circular brands & resale sites →
Candy Apple Collection
Next Season Candy Apple Hat ($135)
Lauren Ralph Lauren Metallic Turtleneck, size XS ($45) - classic style with a subtle silvery sheen, wearable beyond the holiday season
Hyer Goods La Strada Bag ($365) - made entirely out of fashion industry leftovers. I’m utterly obsessed with this bag!
ELV Denim Mid Dark Blue Stovepipe Jeans ($399) - handcrafted from two pairs of vintage jeans (love love love all things vintage denim)
Vintage Yellow Clip-on Earrings, 1950s/60s ($26) - me not beating the charges that yellow is my favorite color…
Vintage Gold-tone Heart Charm Bracelet, 1970s ($44) - inspired by the childhood charm bracelet I recently started wearing again - I like the chunk/weight of this one!
Markku Salo Wine Glasses for Iittala, 1990s (set of 2, $160) - wigglemaniaaa
Neapolitan Ice Cream Collection
Evan Picone Vintage Metallic Crewneck, size S ($45) - this metallic black knit tee is really chic, and can easily be dressed up or down
Prada Lips Appliqué Purse ($460) - so cute! So mod!
Oscar Wilde, "The Picture of Dorian Gray", 1920s ($100) - The quote “nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing” has never been more appropriate…
Linda Farrow Tortoiseshell Sunglasses ($115) - I admit I’ve been fully influenced by this trend (I know I’m late to the game)
Jade Nephrite and Gold Beaded Necklace ($180) - consider this your nudge to incorporate natural stone jewelry into your fits
Antique Iron Candlestick, early 20th century ($70) - would fit perfectly on your (or my) fireplace mantel
Grape Soda Collection
Next Season Grape Soda Scarf ($195)
Next Season Grape Soda Hat ($135)
Vintage Purple Metallic Pullover, fits like size S ($45) - such a fun sporty, sparkly vibe
Aomoa Willow Creased Crossbody Bag (€229.17) - discovered this brand on Instagram, and love the shape & style of her designs. This one is made with deadstock fabric & a vintage belt buckle
Iridescent Thumbprint Champagne Glasses, 1960s (set of 6, $68) - these champagne / sherbert glasses are so cute, who doesn’t love iridescent glass?!
Stan Ray/Stanley Painter Pants, Black ($145) - The Consistency Project (my neighbor!) is the go-to expert for vintage pants and offers pant-fitting appointments / tailoring services in store
Helen Kirkum Collaged Leather Sneakers (£475) - these solve the bi-annual ‘I think I need new white sneakers because mine are worn into the ground but I don’t want to just buy Nikes again’ conundrum
Guy Laroche Gilt clip-on Earrings, 1990s ($200) - earrings like these are the perfect vehicle for adding drama to any outfit
And a roundup of roundups of gifting ideas and circular & small businesses you can shop this holiday season →
Black Friday guide to the anti- Black Friday guides
I hope you’re all having a lovely and restful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. I appreciate you for taking the time to read my newsletter and support my foray into this world of circular fashion <3
oh this is sooo cool!
Adding a Next Season Scarf to my wish list!