AKEF, ifund and informals invest €1.7M in New Optimist
Under the banner of 'yes, future!', New Optimist embarks on its mission to create a future-proof fashion industry. Their goal? To create a vibrant, sustainable streetwear scene right in your neighborhood! As pioneers in sustainable fashion and textiles, New Optimist aspires to spark a wave of optimism and completely transform the fashion industry.
Founded in 2020 by Xander Slager and Nelleke Wegdam, New Optimist is a clothing brand that is steward-owned and produces local, social, and circular streetwear items. The company is inspired by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which means that it considers the end-of-life phase of an item at the beginning of the production cycle. Clothing is produced as much as possible from single materials, and they provide a repair service to extend the lifespan of products. Finally, New Optimist has even introduced an innovative deposit system, encouraging consumers to return clothing when they no longer use it. All in all, New Optimist takes care of the entire lifecycle of a garment.
Since our first encounter in 2022, we have been impressed by this holistic approach to systemic change within one of the most polluting industries on the planet. Therefore, in October 2023, we invested in New Optimist, along with the Amsterdams Klimaat en Energie Fonds. With the new funds, the fashion brand can further establish its name and scale up the production location. See the press release (in Dutch) for more information, and visit the New Optimist website in order to view the collection!
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