Nominated for OUT OF THE BOX.NRW

Repair Rebels

Düsseldorf

Nominated by:
Oana Wollseifer

Internet address:

Your business model in three sentences

Fashion repairs as easy and as fun as buying new, just more local and social! We bridge the gap between digital fashion consumers and analog repair services and provide a smooth digital experience and transparency along the complete value chain.

What problem do you solve?

The European consumption of textiles has the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate change, after food, housing and mobility. It is also the third highest area of consumption for water and land use (European Commission, 2022). In the last 15 years, the global textile production has more than doubled. At the same time, the useful life of our clothing has been cut in half. As a result, the 21st century linear fashion business models led to major environmental damages, social injustice in our society and decline of craftsmanship in the western economy. The most sustainable garment is the one that we already own. However, convenient and digital alternatives to "buying new" are scarce and many people are unaware of the options for clothing and shoe repairs or consider them to be too exhaustive and unfashionable. While around 60% of consumers say repairs are important to them, just 23% routinely repair their clothes or take them to a repair shop (Zalando, 2021). Local cobbler and tailor shops are still very analog businesses that were not able to stay relevant for the modern-day fashion consumers.

What's your digital solution?

Repair Rebels is an impact-driven startup that builds a platform where technology meets traditional craftsmanship. We curate experienced craftsmen who can repair, re-size or upcycle your clothes and shoes. We take care of the online payment, pickup and delivery processes and provide full transparency and smooth digital experience along the complete value chain. For selected repair shops and craftsmen, we provide increased online visibility and quality certification. We are digitizing the still analogue tailoring and shoe repair services, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Via modern marketing and use of digital tools, we aim to expand the customer base and increase the number of per customer orders. To a certain extent, we replicate the Lieferando business model in the fashion repair segment. We provide fashion lovers with an easy way to repair their clothing, while doing their part for a greener planet and securing local jobs!

Why should we award you for your digital business model?

We aim to build the "Go-To Place" for textile and shoe repairs and make repairing the new normal! The Repair Rebels business model is scalable, as an already existing network of service providers is being addressed. We make it easy to do the “right thing” and hope to contribute to a culture change that makes people not ashamed but proud to have their clothes repaired. Repair is an attitude, antidote to consumerism, and in today’s realities it is also an act of solidarity and hope.