Mariola Marcet, Founder and CEO of Upcyclick, is one of the entrepreneurs pioneer in Spain promoting upcycling within the fashion industry. We wanted to find out more about her amazing project.
Where did the idea behind upcyclick come from?
It came from another project of mine called “De armario a armario” that I started in 2010 and was about swapping clothes. Through this project that I started like a hobby I discovered the slow fashion movement that change my point of view about fashion. And I decided to be part of the solution, instead of being part of the problem. In 2016 I had the opportunity to do an acceleration program for social projects organized by Social Nest foundation and there came out Upcyclick that won the “Distinction for the startup with the greatest social impact”.
Which challenges you had to face?
First of all, the lack of awareness from people about the meaning of “upcycled” . Nowadays we can hear and see more examples in the mass media and we can see examples in big brands, but when we started Upcyclick, in Spain it was a very unknown. That’s the reason why, from the beginning of the project, we have worked to teach and spread sustainable fashion, circular economy and Upcycling as a part of it. The second one it’s highlight the importance of the dressmakers, seamstress.
How do you think will the the future of fashion? Do you think a change is really possible?
To make a real change in fashion, it is necessary that all the agents involved in it, take part in the process. That is: citizens, companies and governmental institutions. It is not only the citizen that has to support all the weight of being sustainable as it has been till now.
Fortunately, the European Union has approved new measures under the Ecodesign Regulation for sustainable products to prevent the destruction of unsold clothing, accessories, and footwear. These measures will help reduce waste and environmental damage, create a level playing field for businesses, and accelerate the transition to more circular practices. However, this only applies to companies within the Union.
A significant amount of low-quality, inexpensive clothing from platforms and brands outside the European Union continues to enter the market, and this should be regulated to ensure it competes on a level playing field with EU products.
Mariola Marcet, Founder and CEO of Upcyclick
The EU Strategy on Sustainable and Circular Textile Products sets out targets and concrete measures to ensure that, by 2030, textile products marketed in the EU are long-lasting and recyclable and are made as far as possible with recycled fibers, without dangerous substances and produced respecting social rights and the environment. Consumers will enjoy high-quality textiles for longer, fast fashion should be out of fashion, and cost-effective reuse and repair services should be widely available.
We hope that this strategy is really applied and controlled so that there is a real change in the industry would be the key to accelerating this change. Because there have been legislative initiatives similar to these, one specifically approved in 2018 at a European level that has not yet been applied due to pressure from large lobbies.
What would you highlight of Canussa?
The Timeless, the good quality and the practicality of all the products. Also the constant interest of its founder, Maria, to improve. She is always researching to contribute with her brand to the improvement of the fashion accessories industry, or rather, to change. I am lucky enough to chat with her often, share our concerns and see how we can support each other to make a real impact in fashion. María is a great person that I admire and appreciate.
