RE-GARDE

The RE-GARDE collections and prototypes are designed by Lin in her studio in Amsterdam. Where she also makes the prototypes. The fabrics used are sourced and transformed in Portugal, China and India.

Lin keeps in close contact with all producers to ensure the clothes are made in safe and fair working conditions. She personally visits several producers. Due to this close, personal contact, she forges lasting relationships with everyone involved and can guarantee that the clothes are made safely. 

The brand is also investigating how to offer more transparency about its production process and the costs of making the clothes.

RE-GARDE carefully chooses fabrics that are composed entirely of natural fibres. You’ll find hardly any synthetic fibres like polyester in the clothes. RE-GARDE sometimes uses recycled polyester as padding for its jackets. Much of the fabric is sourced from surplus stocks of other producers. Re-Garde buys these deadstock fabrics and brings them to life in their unique and colourful collection. Deadstock fabrics are always monomaterials, often made of 100% cotton, viscose or lyocell.

In addition, the Dutch brand also has some designs made from organic cotton. This cotton is produced in Portugal, where the clothes are also made. Due to the small-scale production, it is not possible to have this material certified.

The collection also includes some knitted designs made from Italian sheep’s wool.

The brand ensures that all consumer packages are shipped carbon-neutral to reduce their carbon footprint.

This elegant fashion brand puts circularity first by using surplus fabric as a new raw material. Therefore, choosing mono-materials is also a bonus for the brand’s circularity. In their shop in Amsterdam, you will find a selection of unique vintage garments embellished with the embroidered RE-GARDE logo.

Designer Lin is also happy to discuss options when a garment requires repair.

Because part of its production takes place in China and India, RE-GARDE, unfortunately, has a long supply chain. Wanting to minimise the distances a garment travels, the brand also works with Portuguese and Italian manufacturers.

RE-GARDE already shared all the names of their production partners with COSH! On top of that, designer Lin is looking for opportunities to move production closer to home.

Some of the production steps happen in the Netherlands, namely creating the designs, prototypes and patterns. RE-GARDE also offsets the environmental impact of transporting orders. So you know your parcel is sent CO2-neutral.

Most of the collection contains no animal materials. Only in the knitted jumpers is wool used. RE-GARDE chooses mulesing-free thread sourced in Italy to ensure the sheep are treated well.

RE-GARDE was born from a love of colours, shapes and textiles. Lin draws inspiration from her paintings to create elegant and unique designs. The collection contains a lot of colour and expression while at the same time radiating tranquillity. Lin also uses this calmness when designing, choosing to work at her own pace. In this way, RE-GARDE follows slow-fashion principles, not following seasons and producing in small numbers.

The designs are timeless and versatile, like the reversible kimonos, which allow you to form two outfits with one garment and combine them endlessly.

RE-GARDE spoke with COSH!, sharing more information about their production partners and materials. As the brand shared the names of its manufacturing partners, COSH! was able to verify the information. Still, the brand realises that the transparency on their website could be better, so they are now exploring opportunities to share more details on the clothes’ ecological impact and production costs.