‘Your Clothes, Our Planet’: Stories from the Get Redressed Month 2024 Exhibition

Discover stories from a diverse cross-section of Hong Kongers about their most treasured clothing items in Redress’ first photo and story exhibition. The collection showcases 11 individuals, including influencers such as Hana Tam, Jeremy Wong, and Bonde Sham, as well as everyday community members.

A little challenge - Bonde Sham

The entertainment industry has often perpetuated the wasteful norm of wearing an outfit only once, with artists stuck in a relentlessly rotating carousel of outfits to keep their images fresh. But not Bonde Sham, the celebrated ViuTV anchor who proudly wears the same jumpsuit to many events.

“This little challenge to myself is my way of proving outfit repetition can thrive in the industry. Our clothing choices are a reflection of our lifestyles,” shares Bonde.

Bonde’s beloved jumpsuit is made from plant-derived Tencel fibres, reflecting her commitment to living close to nature. By choosing sustainable materials, we can minimise the environmental impact of our wardrobes.

Bonde continues on with her challenge to wear the same outfit, but how does she keep things fresh? The secret lies in accessorising. In interviews, the jumpsuit is transformed with a black cotton jersey top, a belt, and braids for a vibrant look. For a more casual vibe, she combines it with a pared-down hairstyle. Looks can be so versatile!

Unspoken Love - Rafi Cristobal 

Reflecting on significant moments in his life, Rafi considers his father’s unwavering support as a key pillar in his journey. This paternal encouragement came not just in words or warm hugs, but in something much more tangible: a thin wool blazer. 

At three significant milestones in his life—high school, his wedding, and a pre-pandemic career shift—Rafi received blazers from his loving father, who was also a businessman. The blazers represented his father’s silent encouragement and gave Rafi support in key moments. “These gifts are my father’s silent recognition of my capabilities, and his encouragement to be confident in them.”

As an educator and social entrepreneur, Rafi leads by example, inspiring the younger generations in sustainability. For his wardrobe philosophy, Rafi simply says, “Buy the basics!” Guided by this motto, Rafi only buys quality clothing from brands emphasising fair trade in their manufacturing chain. He shows his style by mixing and matching, rather than by flaunting wealth.

Say ‘Bye’ Not ‘Buy’ to Overconsumption – Jeremy & Hana

With his wardrobe organised by brand, Jeremy’s outfits are versatile for any occasion. But with fewer occasions to dress up during the pandemic, Jeremy used the extra time to declutter his closet. That’s when he realised that many of the sponsored items he’d accumulated had rarely, if ever, been worn. From this discovery, he was inspired to create Byebuy Market, a curated consignment store giving new life to pre-loved designer pieces from celebrities at accessible prices.

“We often visited secondhand stores in Japan and thought they were really cool. Then we'd ask ourselves why we don't have the same culture in Hong Kong. We thought perhaps we could recreate it here,” shares Jeremy.

Byebuy Market focuses on current, seasonal trends. To elevate their business, Jeremy's partner, Hana, even took a trip to Taiwan to hone her skills in identifying luxury items. This allowed them to expand their collection of high-quality pre-loved clothing. 

With their platform dedicated to reducing fashion waste, Jeremy and Hana provide a treasure trove of fashionable finds for discerning consumers. For Hana, one of the highlights in running the platform is sharpening her eye for quality. This has led her to abandon cheaply made fast fashion in favour of pieces made to last. “Clothes are like people — best when kept around!” Hana shares. 

Red, like the Firework of Youth —— Dorothy Lam

Fiery red, like fire in the five elements, evokes an aura that is wild, powerful, and eternal. Dorothy loves the primitive energy this colour represents. With her bright red woollen cloak and black suitcase, the colour combination is not only striking, but adds a touch of mystery.

A confident Dorothy explains her outfit approach: choosing clothes that fit both body and soul, knitting together the inside with the outside. “‘Style’ is the complete picture of a person—their clothes and their surroundings. Clothes you love will fit easily with any environment, from the comfort of your bedroom to the surroundings beyond it.”

The wellbeing advocate considers the trend of minimalism as an act of self-reflection. To Dorothy, reviewing one’s wardrobe isn’t just about discarding old clothes. “Be consciously aware of what you're doing and buying. Examining what’s essential and what’s not is highly beneficial for our physical and mental health.”

You can only gain by letting go. What remains are life’s essentials, like Dorothy’s fiery red cloak gifted by her late mother, still a regular item in her wardrobe. Wearing it offers Dorothy a sense of security, as well as her mother’s lasting companionship.

Our Time Together Stays in My Heart - Andrew Lo

It's a common experience for children to wear their father's clothes. Whenever his father went on a business trip, Andrew would tuck into his father’s dark blue knitted sweater with green stripes. Back then, little Andrew always felt that the garment never fit him. It wasn't until he grew up that he realised the unfit wasn’t just because of his lack of an adult’s build. 

“Even though this sweater has been worn for over thirty years, it still feels warm. I realised the love and responsibility behind my father wearing it to provide for the family.” Though his father has passed away, the memory of his tall and straight back, and the gentle look on his face, remains vivid in Andrew’s mind.

Over the years, the lining of the sweater has worn out. Ten years ago, Andrew's family had it completely revamped — they replaced the lining and trimmed the lint to keep the warmth that lingers. The experience of maintaining his father's sweater taught Andrew that the value of clothes lies in their comfort and durability. Now Andrew, who used to buy clothes with different brand logos, instead advocates quality over quantity. His principle is ruthless: “For every new piece of clothing I buy, I have to part with an old piece of clothing,” he reveals. This reminds him not to overspend and to choose carefully, which not only prolongs the clothes' life but also makes them easier to match, reducing waste. 

Us Against the World - Damian Bierman 

As a self-described “middle-aged man who wants no fuss”, Damian keeps his style simple. Anything too time-consuming or energy-draining is out. His wardrobe is filled with similar simple shirts, nothing fancy. And as a minimalist, he only has one ‘go-to’ bag: a green leather crossbody.

Damian bought this bag when he first set foot in Hong Kong two decades ago. Since then, he hasn’t used any other bag, and it still looks fresh to this date.  “This leather bag represents my twenty years in Hong Kong. It is already a part of me!”

One time, Damian nearly lost his beloved bag in the bustling district of Lan Kwai Fong. Fortunately, shortly after it went missing, he received a call from the police and found the bag lying quietly in a corner of a public toilet. Although the bag was missing a pair of sunglasses, Damian still couldn’t hide his excitement when he exclaimed, “It’s come back to my life!” 

After many years of use, the leather bag is still not too damaged. Damian, who values durability, believes choosing high-quality clothing is better than mindlessly pursuing fashion. This bag — his loyal companion for two decades — perfectly exemplifies his philosophy.

Rare Finds - Sharon Fan

For Sharon, outfits are a reflection of one’s personality. As a cheerful person, her choice of clothing involves bright colours to inspire a good mood not just for herself, but also those around her. So when she saw a bright red dress embroidered with roses at The Redress Closet, she knew she had to have it, even though others might consider it too much of a bold statement. At HK$300, it was a steal when she realised its original value was HK$7,000! This jackpot discovery shattered her previous impression of pre-owned clothes as being all old and worn out and inspired her to hunt for more treasures at secondhand stores, enriching her wardrobe and life with a kaleidoscope of colours. "When others acknowledge my unique taste in clothes, it makes me feel gratified." 

Educated in fashion design, Sharon sees clothes as more than mere fabrics on bodies. For her, each piece of clothing holds a unique value. To make her red dress even more special, Sharon altered the shoulder straps and waist. She also happily stayed up late mending clothes for friends. “One unique piece of clothing is better than a hundred ordinary pieces,” Sharon believes. Clothes that don’t fit or are old and worn out don’t have to be discarded—with a little ingenuity, they can be given a new lease on life.

The Trend of Timelessness - Mary Lee 

Thirty years—what does that really mean? It’s the average lifespan of a bear, and the fleeting years of growth from a young girl into a mature woman. But some things stay the same, like Mary’s cotton sweatshirt, with its teddy bear design from the early 1990s still in fashion today. The fluffy creature reflects Mary’s carefree attitude as well as the childlike innocence many city folks yearn for today. It is rare for a sweatshirt to be worn for many years without the collar becoming loose, but Mary has a trick—dehumidifying and protecting her clothes from moisture. Her top tip for keeping clothes in good shape is to buy clothes that suit your climate. “In humid places like Hong Kong, I would buy fewer leather goods. That will make your life easier.”

 Observing the changes in fashion trends over the decades, Mary finds that although we’re now spoilt for choice with styles and brands galore, such an abundance is overwhelming and confusing. For Mary, simplicity always wins over complexity.

 “Develop your signature style. Then you won’t have to waste time and money on trial and error, and you will create your own unique style statement that stands the test of time.” 

 Mary’s teddy bear sweatshirt of 30 years is an example of a style that has proven timeless. She even plans to pass it down to her daughter as a family heirloom, so it can accompany her for decades more to come.

Do Better for the Planet - Ren Wan

Though we can’t visit the childhoods of our loved ones, we can feel their warmth and memories through their clothes. Ren’s most treasured garment is a cotton sweatshirt that has journeyed with her through dating, marriage, and now, motherhood. This special sweatshirt also harkens back to her husband’s younger years. A closer look reveals a silver mark, a testament to Ren’s skill in mending clothes. “I carelessly stained the sweatshirt, so I concealed it with this iron-on sticker,” she recalls. “This gives it a personal touch.”

More than just a sentimental keepsake, this sweatshirt embodies Ren’s philosophy that holding onto good clothes is about reducing waste. An expert in decluttering, Ren champions a minimalist wardrobe both for herself and for the environment. 

 This dedication extends to her son. Eschewing new clothes, Ren picks pre-loved baby garments crafted from natural materials. Even their diapers are pre-owned and reusable. 

 Ren’s commitment goes beyond frugality; it’s a message for the future. “Our planet faces grave danger. Starting with ourselves, how can we take action to leave a better environment for future generations?”

Upcycling cuts waste, so why not? - Bertha Shum

In recent years, there has been a trend towards upcycling, or the act of transforming items into something of greater value, including garments from discarded fabrics and clothing waste. Bertha’s signature look encapsulates this technique. “There are way too many clothes on the planet. You don’t have to buy new to make a style statement!”  

 Bertha’s cotton jersey T-shirt was crafted from leftover materials from a garment factory. Unique embroidery adds a personal touch, making it a cherished symbol of love between her and her husband. Her jeans are a clever combination of a windbreaker jacket and a pair of pre-owned Levi’s. With this look, she shatters any conception of sustainability being unfashionable.

Donating and swapping clothes are major ways people fight fashion waste. But as a sustainable design business owner, Bertha is concerned about oversupply in the secondhand clothing market. To combat this, she donates high-quality, pre-owned suits to a consignment platform and uses the profit to support charitable organisations—a win-win solution.

Meanwhile, in her everyday style, Bertha prioritises durability, comfort, and natural materials. A fierce opponent of fast fashion, she believes that buying better is the most effective way to reduce waste at its source.