A lot of my time as a fashion editor is spent deciphering trends, compiling shopping edits and championing brands that are doing great things. More so now than ever, though, the latter is what I have become increasing more interested in. Yes brands can create amazing new collections each season, and yes they can tick off the key trends but are they doing this at a cost to our planet? This is where Rejina Pyo comes in. 

Having started her label in 2014, I have watched as the designer has gone from strength to strength, not just in terms of her growing and loyal fan base of fashion editors and influencers, but also how the brand is ever changing, adapting and striving to be better when it comes to sustainable practices. Putting care into each piece shows, and I have to say the label’s aesthetic and values are something I back 100%. And I secretly, or not so secretly, would happily only wear Rejina outfits forever after resonating with the brand deeper than the product. 

Using organic and sustainably sourced materials, Rejina’s label has also now stepped into kidswear by designing an edit of pieces made from recycled and past season materials. Recently, the fashion designer also collaborated with & Other Stories and naturally it gained rave reviews with everyone eager to get the staple Rejina style on the high street.

You’ll notice a Rejina Pyo piece from a mile off – with statement sleeves, elegant silhouettes and having mastered modern tailoring down to a tee, the designer is here to make a stamp on the fashion industry in more ways than one. Here, Rejina introduces you to the new fall 2021 collection (already available to shop on site) as well as giving her top tips for being more sustainable. 

Rejina: I’ve always cared about the environment but it wasn’t until I started to work in fashion I became aware of the full extent of the problem. There was a time I nearly reconsidered whether I wanted to be a part of this industry but a longtime friend of mine – who is now one of our directors and a sustainability expert – said ‘if you just walk away from this nothing will change, you need to be in it to make a real difference.’

I think it’s important to acknowledge every product has an impact and that sustainability is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It requires continual reflection and improvement. 

Fashion Revolution is an amazing campaign and organisation that has managed to engage millions of people around the world. Aside from activating people, they continue to demand more transparency and responsibility from businesses which is what this industry needs to make real change. 

It’s not just about switching to brands and products which align with your values but also about acknowledging that we all have to consume less. I feel there is definitely a shift happening and this is because of the information which is now easily accessible. 

We have never seen customers so informed and engaged so it is inevitable they will become more discerning when it comes to making any sort of purchase.   

I would like to see it slow down and allow creativity to flourish. The pace at which the industry currently operates is untenable long term, both ecologically and socially.  

1. Buy less, keep items longer and invest in repairing them when you need to.

2. Borrow and swap pieces with friends.

3. When you do make a new purchase, consider what the product is made of and look for lower impact materials such as organic or recycled. 

Sustainable Shopper edit by Rejina:

Images: courtesy of Rejina Pyo