Nominated for OUT OF THE BOX.NRW

Fairnica GmbH

Herne

Nominated by:
Lenka Mildner

Internet address:

www.fairnica.com

Your business model in three sentences

We want to establish Fairnica as a platform for alternatives to new clothing purchases. Alternatives are fashion rental, buying 2nd hand, clothing swaps. Fashion rental is our core business and already on the market.

What problem do you solve?

The textile industry is responsible for up to 10% of global Co2-emissions. Also plastic based fibers release micro plastic into our water. Garment finishing processes like dyeing release chemicals into rivers in production countries. People work under very bad working conditions. At the same time production numbers rise and quality and price go down. More and more people understand that the need for clothes, following trends and the wish for variety in wardrobe conflicts with saving our nature. We are the solution for that problem. As a Fairnica member you don't need to buy clothes. You can just use it, whenever you want to and swap it, if you need something new. Let's say Fairnica is your Netflix or Spotify for clothes. Greenpeace published, that in 2022 85% of clothes was bought new. We need to change that. In 2035, only 40% of clothing should be bought new. The rest must be obtained through alternatives to purchase. We offer access to these alternatives.

What's your digital solution?

We built an online platform on which you can become a member, choose the clothes you want to rent and swap the clothes at any time. Additionally we will launch "Fairnica Preloved" soon, which offers the opportunity for 2nd hand purchases. The "Fairnica Community" will add the possibility for people to swap clothes and educating people. We want to be the platform, that offers all alternatives to new purchases.

Why should we award you for your digital business model?

Today, 85% of clothes is bought new. In 2035 the goal is (by Greenpeace) to just buy 40% new and procure 60% in other ways, like renting, swapping and 2nd hand. Our business model contains renting, purchasing, community and education. We educate people for the needed change and give them the opportunity to find their way of sustainable fashion use.