While we’re known for the unapologetic attitude that is stitched into every fiber, Not Sorry Apparel is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions that limit environmental impact and serve a positive social purpose.

Here are some of the sustainable fashion practices that we use to keep our customers and the Earth feeling fresh AF.

Upcycling

Upcycling is the practice of transforming old into new again by using discarded materials or secondhand garments and transforming them into something of better quality and greater value. By reusing materials that already exist, we are saving energy, water, chemicals and other resources needed to make new materials.

Not Sorry Apparel uses deadstock fabric (fabric that is left over from mills and garment factories, or flawed fabrics), vintage clothing that we repurpose (commonly referred to as “reworked vintage”) or other unused materials. We create these transformations at our studio inside Ponyride Detroit.

We also accept donations from customers and run a clothing exchange program where customers can turn in their pre-loved garments in exchange for Not Sorry discounts and swag.

Zero-waste pattern cutting

Zero-waste is a design technique that eliminates textile waste at the design stage. It is estimated that 15% of textiles intended for clothing ends up on the cutting room floor. Instead of wasting those precious resources, we use those scraps and transform them into fun patches, quirky patterns, funky pockets and more!

Using zero-waste design and upcycling techniques, here are a few examples of how we take old garments or throwaway scraps and transform them into something new and exciting!