Back after a few weeks of vacation, I had the opportunity to pass through several towns and villages in the Canadian Maritimes, and I was struck by the number of clothing donation boxes in certain municipalities (supporting proof attached). They seem to have become an omnipresent element of the landscape, testifying to a growing trend towards the illusion of donation and 'recycling'.

In this edition, we'll explore how the role of thrift stores is evolving, what challenges they face, and how they can adapt to a society increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of fashion.

+ Go below to read THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT that I have been hiding for several editions of the trendsetter.

Thrift = Green?♻️

More and more people are choosing second hand as a default option, convinced that it reduces their environmental impact. Opting for second-hand clothing actually means making a gesture in favor of the planet by giving new life to already existing items, rather than contributing to the production of new goods. However, it is crucial to recognize that this approach loses its meaning if it is accompanied by overconsumption of second hand goods.

In 2022, ​La presse reported a disturbing trend: some people buy new clothes for the sole purpose of reselling them on online platforms, seeking to make a small profit. This practice, far from reducing environmental impact, actually contributes to overproduction and excessive consumption.

Another worrying phenomenon is the appearance of brand-new clothes in thrift stores. Le journal de Québec reported that some businesses, faced with excess inventory, choose to sell or donate these items to thrift stores. This may seem virtuous, but you should know that these donations can also offer tax advantages to businesses. What is worrying is that this practice contributes to the invasion of disposable fashion brands on thrift store racks, where we now find brands like Shein, known for the poor quality and shorter lifespan.

Back to the bins, there is also an inherent collective construct that what is given in the clothing donation bins will find the hands of a person in needs locally, it isn't always the case. Radio-Canada reported that between 80 and 90% of clothing donation will not be sold locally in 2018.

In the Press

I spoke with a journalist from l'Itinéraire for the July edition on 'clothes' to dissect thrift stores and we discussed other issues that now weigh on thrift stores:

• Old ideas that thrift stores are reserved for people on low incomes and how this is explained & changed
• The democratization of second hand goods & the increase in interest in them, which causes sellers' or resellers' prices to skyrocket
• The lack of knowledge of the general public to be able to detect quality of garment
• And more, and more..

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To stay on top of the future of thrift stores...a few different news sources I appreciate:

​👗 Consommer moins Consommer mieux: (FR) First second-hand information media​

👖L'info Durable: ​(FR) ID is the first continuous information media dedicated to Sustainable Development.​

👓TheGoodGoods: The fashion media based on evidence

👟 FashionTakesAction: Canada's first non-profit organization, established in 2007 to advance sustainability, ethics and circularity across the fashion system.​

👔Mildew: A second-hand print magazine

Dru....
Drum......
Drum R......
Drum Roll....​
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📣 I wrote a book 📣

A guide to ecological, economical and committed consumption entitled Rien de neuf. (Nothing's New - French only)

This book inspires to

Give, lend, borrow, exchange, rent, buy second-hand: find all the everyday objects without buying anything new!

This practical guide teaches how to acquire the items you need (and want!) while saving money and reducing your environmental footprint. Each chapter presents moments in life that usually require the acquisition of “new” goods: development or renovations, the arrival of a child, parties and celebrations, sports and leisure activities, travel, etc.

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I believe Rien de neuf could easily be adapted to the Canadian market (and translated to English) easily, if a reader is interested and work in editing, let me know.

On the agenda

📆 Since August 21st - Rien de neuf is available in bookstores

📆 August 28 - Swap & Discovery at La Tétro in Tétreaultville in Montreal, where I will share about my experience with Rien de neuf

📆 September 17 at the École Supérieure de Mode ESG-UQAM, I will host a panel on the issues of clothing resale

📆 Septembre X in Quebec City (details to be confirmed)

Note: This newsletter usually focuses on foresight and emerging trends. However, with the publication of my new book, which further explores alternative consumption, future editions may be less frequent, depending on the progress of my work in this area.

To stay up to date with all developments, follow me on social media as well: LINKEDIN | INSTAGRAM​

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Sincerely,