Gemma Meek recently spoke with Lotti and Emily, the brilliant minds behind Second Cashmere—a Scottish brand transforming discarded cashmere into sustainable fashion.
Based in Glasgow, their focus on circular fashion and ethical practices sets them apart. Creating stylish and unique pieces, they breathe new life into waste cashmere fabric and yarns. Their collections include refurbished knitwear and bespoke made-to-order items, all with the aim of reducing waste and promoting conscious fashion choices.
In their interview, Lotti and Emily shared their creative process, the challenges of running a circular fashion business in Scotland, and their aspirations for the future. Their passion for sustainable fashion shines through, making it clear that they’re making waves in the industry and inspiring others to join the movement.
G: How did you discover your passion for cashmere and what inspired you to start Second Cashmere?
Lotti: Second Cashmere was founded after I completed a masters degree in sustainability in the cashmere industry at Heriot-Watt University. I became aware of the serious environmental sustainability issues associated with cashmere, such as overconsumption and degradation of grasslands in cashmere producing countries. I wanted to contribute to an alternative to fast fashion, and as someone who has always loved second hand items, I decided to choose waste cashmere sourced from textile recyclers as the foundation for Second Cashmere.
Since then, our team has grown to include Emily, who brings her creativity and innovative concepts to find new ways to reuse cashmere waste.
G: What are the secrets to finding and transforming old cashmere garments into new and trendy pieces?
Emily: It’s all about thinking creatively and being flexible with what we find. Since we source from waste streams, it’s rare to get exactly the same style, condition, and colour of cashmere. We constantly think on our feet to determine how best to use the resources we have. It’s a creative challenge that allows us to come up with unique and trendy designs.
G: How does recycled cashmere help you reduce your environmental footprint and support ethical fashion practices?
Emily: Working with reclaimed cashmere helps divert waste from landfill. By repairing, re-making, and unravelling, we offer renewed items that participate in the circular economy. It reduces the need for new production and reduces resource consumption.
Lotti: Choosing second hand over new reduces the reliance on the natural world for materials. It shifts the focus to repair, reuse, and rewear. Since cashmere production requires significant resources, switching to second hand helps to ease the pressure on the cashmere industry, which is facing unsustainable demands.
G: What are some of the most popular and unique designs that you have created from reclaimed cashmere fabric and yarns?
Lotti: The popularity of our designs varies depending on the time of year. Our Refurbished Collection is highly sought after during the early autumn months as people search for quality knitwear to last throughout the colder months. For Christmas, our Cashmere Originals make great gifts, and we’re pleased to see more people choosing to shop sustainably during the festive season. Our recently released Mittens are beyond cute and come in lovely colours, making them a customer favourite.
G: What achievement are you most proud of?
Lotti: In 2022, we won the Online Retailer Start Up of the Year at the National Start Up Awards for Scotland. It was a fantastic moment for us and a recognition of our efforts.
G: How do you connect with other local entrepreneurs and organisations who share your vision of sustainable fashion in Scotland?
Lotti: Glasgow, where we are based, is home to some incredible slow fashion and accessories brands. Over the years, we have built great connections with like-minded individuals and businesses. Second Cashmere is one of the founding members of the Fair Fashion Collective, a group of sustainable and second hand businesses in the Southside of Glasgow. Together, we work towards creating a space in our neighbourhood to promote the importance of slow and fair fashion.
G: What are some of the challenges and opportunities of running a circular fashion business in Scotland?
Lotti: Like any small business striving to make a difference, our main challenge lies in reaching people who might not choose second hand or reclaimed over new. It takes time to show the beauty of second hand and reclaimed items. However, the response to our collections has been wonderful, and we hope our impact continues to grow.
G: How do you educate and inspire your customers to appreciate and care for recycled cashmere products?
Emily: We offer various darning workshops to teach participants how to repair and care for their cashmere and other clothing items. By imparting this skill, customers can extend the lifespan of their items and develop a stronger connection to them. We also provide a repair service for those who don’t have the time or interest in repairing themselves but still want to keep their beloved items in use.
G: What are some of the stories and feedback that you have received from your happy customers and partners?
Lotti: We receive fantastic mending videos from people on Instagram, showcasing their incredible repairs using our Reclaimed Cashmere Yarns. It’s always uplifting to see people enjoying our products and using their creativity to make the most of them.
G: What are your future plans and aspirations for Second Cashmere, and how do you hope to make a difference in the world?
Lotti: Our ultimate hope is that people continue to appreciate and trust our brand, ensuring their support makes a meaningful difference. We want to contribute to changing people’s mindset about second hand fashion, especially as more individuals are already embracing platforms like Depop and Vinted. Our focus has always been on quality, style, and accessibility. We aim to keep doing what we are doing, having fun, and being creative while inspiring change.
G: How do you incorporate recycled and circular fashion into your personal style and wardrobe?
Emily: Both of us strongly believe in shopping second hand as part of our personal ethos. Though it can be challenging to find specific items, we enjoy the search. It’s part of what inspired us to pursue this business.
Lotti: Almost my entire wardrobe is second hand, and I’m absolutely obsessed. I love shopping at charity shops, exploring vintage stores, and recently, I’ve become hooked on Vinted. Shopping second hand allows for more creativity and freedom compared to high street fashion. The thrill of finding something extra special is a lot of fun!
G: What can customers expect from your A/W collection this year? What is the inspiration behind this collection?
Emily: Alongside some great new designs for our Cashmere Originals collection, customers can expect a more bespoke shopping experience. We will be offering a few made-to-order items, allowing customers to have a say in the design process. This approach not only reduces waste and stock surplus but also ensures that the items made are truly treasured.
G: What are your favourite pieces from the collection this winter? How would you style them for different occasions?
Lotti: During winter, my favourites are our Reclaimed Cashmere Slippers and Mittens. Designed and made by Emily, they are incredibly soft, warm, and aesthetically pleasing. For different occasions, the slippers provide comfort and warmth, while the mittens add a lovely touch and come in a variety of beautiful colours.
G: Who are your favourite second hand style influencers or icons? How do they inspire you to create and wear second hand fashion?
Lotti: While I’m not particularly adept at following individuals on social media, there are some businesses that I absolutely love. Curate and Rotate is one of them. I’m constantly lusting after their stuff! Locally, I’m a big fan of ReJean Denim, Apparel Xchange, Merry-Go-Round, Bawn Textiles, Bam Glasgow, Rags to Riches, Seamster Vintage, Law Design Studio, Beira, and Love & Squalor. Scotland is home to numerous incredible individuals and brands making a significant impact in second hand and sustainable fashion and textiles.
G: Who has been your role model in sustainable business? What are some other sustainable Scottish brands that have inspired you?
Lotti: As mentioned earlier, I draw inspiration from the amazing sustainable businesses in Scotland. Some of my favourites include Curate and Rotate, ReJean Denim, Apparel Xchange, Merry-Go-Round, Bawn Textiles, Bam Glasgow, Rags to Riches, Seamster Vintage, Law Design Studio, Beira, and Love & Squalor. These brands and individuals inspire us to continue our sustainable journey and make a difference in the world.
As Second Cashmere continues to grow and thrive, Lotti and Emily’s dedication to sustainable fashion and circular practices remain at the forefront of their brand. By offering unique designs and educating customers on the value of recycled cashmere, they hope to inspire a shift towards more conscious and ethical fashion choices. Keep an eye out for Second Cashmere’s upcoming collections as they strive to make a positive impact in the world of fashion.
