Hi I am Sandy, the manager and creator of ReFAB.
What has inspired me to open this shop?
I have my mother to thank for my love of fashion.
I can remember Mum dressing up in a purple and white polka a dot halter neck dress with white platform shoes. It was the height of 70’s fashion and I witnessed a transformation from her being my mum, to the life of the party. Mum felt really good about herself in that dress, and it showed in the way she interacted. The power of fashion or clothes that match your identity is powerful and this understanding was established in me from a very early age.
My career started in a bridal and evening wear manufacture here in Adelaide. I initially started pattern making while working there, then I transitioned to full time studies in a TAFE Fashion Diploma course at Marleston. In my final year I won a national design competition and scholarship through the Australian Wool Corporation. I was sent around the world to watch the most beautiful people walk up and down the catwalk and gained more skills and insights in the fashion industry.
I came back from that world tour and began working in the arts, making costumes for theatre film and TV. This included Adelaide Festival Theatre, Centre of Performing Arts, Australian Dance Theatre. I was even wardrobe supervisor on McLeod’s Daughters in the second series. My experiences are based on character profiling and dressing. The understanding that how we dress (ourselves, characters, rooms, sets etc.) tell the world our story.
I went back to Uni to train as a Design and Technology educator specialising in Textile and Food technology. This is about applying technology like tools to generate a creation to satisfy a need. I am now teaching training pre-service teachers at university to become Home Economics/Textile teachers. As a tutor/lecturer I teach about the contemporary understanding of the sustainable issues about the textile industry ranging from the resources used and unethical manufacturing issues to fast fashion and landfill overload.
The catalyst for creating a business is not just about sustainability or preventing clothes going to landfill which is what happens to most clothing that is bought and eventually discarded.
ReFAB is not just about helping people make room and make money from clothes they no longer want. It is about helping people feel good about themselves by understanding that our clothes tell our story, and our identities are evolving as we evolve. Don’t feel guilty about wanting to update, just be thoughtful about what you buy and why you are buying it. Be conscious about what you do with the clothes that you no longer want and minimise their environmental impact by ensuring they receive a second life through recycling and reuse or donating.
ReFAB provides the opportunity for you to resell your once loved clothes you no longer wear (or have never worn) and keep these clothes in circulation rather than throwing them away. Here at ReFAB we will also help you find that unique outfit at a fraction of the original price tag, so you can look amazing and feel even better!