About The Circular Village

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Putting People and Planet first with 

Circular Fashion

At The Circular Village, we envision a world where kindness, ethics, and sustainability shape our daily choices.

 
At the core of our business philosophy lies a commitment to prioritising the well-being of people, planet, and all of biodiversity. 

We recognize that placing emphasis on sustainable practices not only nurtures our environment but also contributes to the creation of resilient communities and economies. By aligning our values with the greater good, we aim to foster a harmonious balance between sustainability and profit. It's what we value as priority.

Coexisting with nature in a balanced format, understanding that as citizens of this planet, we are the guardians of our biodiversity. 

We advocate for human rights, fair wages, ethical working standards and responsible industry practices.  

For businesses and communities to thrive collaboratively and economically.  

 Circular fashion refers to garments, footwear, textiles or accessories intentionally designed, sourced, produced, and distributed with the aim of being reused, repurposed, and circulated responsibly and efficiently within the economy for an extended period in their most valuable state. Subsequently, these items are safely returned to the biosphere once they no longer serve a human purpose. 

Our commitment lies in partnering with business and local organisations, through embracing circular principles, moving away from take-make-waste; overproduction, over-consumption and responsible marketing.

We champion transparency, circular and innovative practices, disprove of the exploitation of people, planet and business practices which reflect a misunderstanding of urgent, responsible action towards circularity. . 

We encourage and participate in collaboration over competition. Historically we know this is not how the fashion industry has operated.

The industry is now transitioning and rebuilding a new value system, new business models and processes. This is a journey which will take time to develop and transition responsibly, sustainably through being well supported. 

We believe in building a cohesive and responsible Circular Fashion Village. 

From textile farmers, producers, designers, manufacturers, marketers to waste management experts and every participant in-between including consumers, form a connected network dedicated to rebuilding the fashion industry.  

Our central focus and commitment to you is circularity alongside urgency. 

Want to know how we can help your business?

The Story and The Why

I'm Yolanda del Valle-Buetefuer, the Founder of The Circular Village, leveraging over 20 years of diverse experience in the fashion industry. 

My journey began at 15-years of age while still in High School, working for Waltons Department Store in Women’s Wear, where dedication to high quality, durable Australian-made fashions and exceptional customer service was the norm.

This started a love of and career in the fashion industry across Retail, Design and Construction, Manufacturing, Operations and Marketing which moved into sustainability and Circular Fashion over the last 10 years.

Today, my life's work and values are based on supporting the move towards a fair, kind and circular fashion industry. Hence... 

The Circular Village. 

The Problem

 The detrimental effects of the fashion industry are extensive, stemming from the excessive dependence on and exploitation of natural resources and labor, and now the global challenges associated with fashion waste management.

The repercussions encompass the destruction of natural resources and its biodiversity, agriculture, water systems, communities and still includes the working conditions of many individual fashion makers across the globe. 

These issues are rooted in traditional and unsustainable practices, as well as value systems built around fast fashion and the take-make-waste business models. 

 The fashion industry is believed to currently account for 10% of global carbon emissions, and as per the UNFCCC, emissions from the sector are projected to surge by over 60% by 2030 if there isn't a prompt transition towards establishing a circular fashion industry. 

(source: McKinsey & Company, Fashion and Climate Report, 2020)

The Resolution 

Through many discussions over the years with designers, makers, brands, producers and retail managers regarding their concerns and gripes within this industry, I have developed a set of tools and services to support fashion participants transition to circularity. From a 'how to transition your brand' to 'how to now market your brand responsibly'.  

Revamping the entire industry involves adopting ethical business models, where the impact on nature is a central consideration in every decision made from textile production to design concept to fashion waste management and new innovations. This encompasses taking responsibility at every level. 

This is the new normal. 

Brands that fail to make this transition will be sidelined, as the prevailing trend among fashion consumers is to distance themselves from brands that no longer resonate with their commitment to environmental concerns and stewardship.

This is the new normal.

And a positive development, acknowledging the importance of aligning who we are with our relationship with the planet, with fashion makers, with fashion itself and with each other as part of the collective Circular Fashion Village. 

We just need more urgency and tones more support for fashion participants transitioning. 

Our tools and consulting services guide manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers in a step-by-step practical transition to circularity. Through digital marketing and content creation, we share compelling stories of brands committed to circularity, fostering and rebuilding processes piece by piece.

Circular Fashion Achievements 

2019- Established Fashion Revolution Bermagui, NSW

An annual sustainable fashion expo coming into its 6th year, which showcases local designers, makers, up-cyclers and recyclers. 

2021 - IndeeFactor Transparency 

Rating System

Commissioned to create a sustainable fashion rating system for Indee Factor's online platform. Categorized 5 indicators, People, Planet, Nature and All Living Creatures, Economics and Circularity. Based on the UNSDG's, the UN Fashion Charter for Climate Change, Fashion Revolution Transparency Index -2020 and the Nordic Initiative Clean and Ethical Fashion Code of Conduct. 

2022 - Established SUSTAIN ME

A rotating regional event in NSW for Sustainable Fashion designers, makers, upcyclers and recyclers. The event has a strong circular fashion message around the relationships we have with our planet, with fashion, with our fashion makers, with ourselves and with each other. 

2022 - Developed & Published 

South Coast NSW Sustainable Fashion Trail. 128 sustainable fashion participants plotted on the NSW map which spans Wollongong to Eden, available in hard copy. 

2023 - Re-branded Fish Tank Media as The Circular Village offering Transitioning to Circularity services and tools for Wholesale, Production and Retail fashion industry participants within Australia. 

It's Actually Quite Simple

We love seeing and being part of the endless possibilities of a transition to circularity which comes from collaboration within business.

 We strongly believe that in order for communities and business to thrive, a new value system is required built on what is good for all. 

Thats why our belief system is built on the 15 Principles of Circular Fashion as well as the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, of which all directly relate to and impact on the fashion industry.  

Our Principles

From a Producers Perspective

Principle 1: Design with a Purpose.

Principle 2: Design for longevity.

Principle 3: Design for resource efficiency.

Principle 4: Design for biodegradability.

Principle 5: Design for recyclability.

Principle 6: Source and produce more locally.

Principle 7: source and produce without toxicity.

Principle 8: Source and produce with efficiency.

Principle 9: Source and produce with good ethics.

Principle 10: Provide services to provide long life.

Principle 11: Reuse, recycle or compost all remains.

Principle 12: Collaborate well and widely, wash and repair with care.

From Consumers Perspective

Principle 13: Use wash and repair with care.

Principle 14: Consider, rent, loan, swap, secondhand or redesign. 

Principle 15: Buy quality as opposed to quantity.

Our Values

Aligned with the UN Sustainable Goals, our values reflect a commitment to ending poverty, hunger, promoting well-being, achieving gender equality, and addressing climate change. The Circular Village aims to contribute to sustainable development by aligning our principles with these global objectives.

· End Poverty in all it’s forms everywhere SDG1

· End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture SDG2

· Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages SDG3

· Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all SDG4

· Achieve gender equality and empower women and girls SDG5

  · Ensure availability and sustainability management of water and sanitation for all SDG6

· Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all SDG7

· Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all SDG8

· Reduce inequality within and among countries SDG10

· Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable SDG11

· Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns SDG12

· Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts SDG13

· Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development SDG14

· Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss SDG 15

· Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels SDG16

· Strength the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development SDG17

Join us in redefining the fashion industry's future. Together, we can create a Circular Fashion Village that puts people and planet first.