Innovation That Matters

Model Claudia Barnard in Shelly Xu Design's zero waste fashion | Photo source James Cheong

Zero-waste fashion startup takes a customer-first approach

Fashion & Beauty

Shelly Xu Design first asks customers for feedback on garment designs, and what they will buy is relayed back to the manufacturers

UNLOCK THIS INNOVATION AND MUCH MORE…

Become a member today and get early access to the ideas transforming our world from just £39 per month*

Exclusive member benefits:

  • Access to over 13,000 innovations
  • Monthly horizon scanning reports
  • Exclusive feature articles

Already a member? Sign in here

Spotted: The sustainable fashion startup, Shelly Xu Design, aims to provide clothing that is accessible, versatile and creates zero-waste by using as much of the material as possible, without producing any textile scraps. 

Shelly Xu, the company’s founder and a designer and former creative lead at Instagram, hand-makes and tailors all of the designs in her Harvard dorm room. The project is a part of this year’s Harvard i-lab Summer Venture Program. Xu, who studied minimal design and production, was inspired by the Japanese kimono. Throughout the program, Xu will test the scalability of her designs using on-demand manufacturing.

Unlike traditional fashion companies, Xu’s manufacturing process begins with the consumer. The team first asks people for feedback on garment designs, and what customers want and will buy is then relayed back to the manufacturers. 

The startup sources its textiles from FABSCRAP — a New York City nonprofit giving the fabric a second life by taking upcycled fabric from interior designers, fashion designers and manufacturers. Xu also avoids inventory waste by partnering with on-demand manufacturers, who won’t produce clothing unless it’s already been sold on their website.

Within the next five to 10 years, Xu hopes to bring manufacturing in-house, so her designs can be made from start to finish using automated garment manufacturing technology. Currently, items sell for around €170. Once the garments are scalable, they will ideally cost under €60, so that more people can afford zero-waste design. 

Written By: Katrina Lane

Explore more: Fashion & Beauty Innovations | Sustainability Innovations

Email: info@shellyxu.design

Website: shellyxu.design

Download PDF

Springwise Services:
Our expertise in spotting the latest innovations is the best resource to empower your team’s future planning.

Find out More