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Raleigh Green Gables

Organize Your Life

Upcycle Your Clothes; End Fast Fashion

January 31, 2017



In the December Raleigh Magazine, there is an article about seamstress Julie Majkowski, who says she is “sick of fast fashion.”

Fast fashion is where you go to a big box store and buy cheap clothes that don’t last longer than a season. It’s creating an “environmental crisis,” according to an article in Newsweek, because what do you do with that shirt with a hole in it? You throw it away, and it ends up in our landfills.

I preach to clients not to buy fast fashion. I have written about having less clothes here and here. And I started an Instagram project to show how you can shop in your closet if you create a capsule wardrobe.

Instead of buying fast fashion every season, I invite clients to save up and buy quality clothes that will last from local boutiques or Nordstrom or Saks. Because you only come out of those stores with one or two items, not 10.

The Raleigh Mag article about Majkowski caught my eye because she “makes custom pieces out of gently used clothing, refashioning them to fit trends — and different size bodies.”

In other words, she is upcycling old clothes, so they don’t end up in our landfills.

At first, she started buying clothes at thrift shops, she told the magazine. Now, customers bring her their own clothes, so she can transform them into something the client would wear again.

Her shop, Random 434, is located in Apex, and if you look at her website, she makes really cute stuff, including wristlets and purses. Average price is $50.

So go check her out! I may try to make her my new best friend.

Filed Under: Because I Said So, Clothes

(919) 623-1160

raleighgreengables@gmail.com

Leah Friedman
Hello!
I'm a professional organizer in Raleigh, North Carolina, helping people declutter their homes and work spaces.

Testimonials

Leah helped me to organize several spaces in my home that have been on my “to do” list for years. She arrived on time, ready to tackle the projects, and made something I dreaded doing lots of fun! She never judges, is always encouraging and gets the job done in a reasonable amount of time. I highly recommend her!
Anne ShermanChapel Hill
Leah Friedman turned a wretched job into fun! It’s true. She even had me laughing. She is worth every penny. We plowed through two closets. They are now nicely organized, and I know where to find my clothes. I even know what I own. Leah hauled about six bags of give-aways to Interact. I heartily recommend Leah. She gets the job done! She a combo of firm, gentle and fun. Just what I needed.
Judith TillmanRaleigh
I love the way my master closet looks, and my husband is very happy, too. Thank you so much for helping me through the whole process. I still can’t believe how much work we got done.
BeckyDurham
After working with Leah Friedman, the room looked and felt calm, rather than chaotic. When I am overwhelmed again, I will certainly hire her expertise and energy. What an investment in order, calm and piece of mind!  
Lucy KeenanRaleigh

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