Turning river waste into runway fashion

This initiative empowers young designers to creatively re-think pollution

Spotted: The Mekong River, which flows through Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world, carrying 40,000 tonnes of plastic into the ocean every year. Frustrated by the huge pollution problem in the Mekong and other waterways across Cambodia, in 2022 Alyssa Erin Kardos Loera created ReMade in Cambodia.

Co-founded by Jamie Raine in Phnom Penh, the organisation seeks to turn clothes discarded in Cambodia’s rivers into new, runway-ready garments. ReMade’s partners, Everwave and River Ocean Cleanup, collect rubbish from the rivers and separate out any textiles ready for use by ReMade.

Once the materials and garments have been thoroughly washed, ReMade then collaborates with talented young designers and artists, who transform the waste into impressive new clothes. These new items are then modelled at local fashion shows, which are free for the public to attend. Not only does this system put waste to good use and help protect the ocean from further pollution, but it also gives young, lesser-known designers the chance to showcase their work.

After being named a runner-up for the Iris Project‘s Stem Prize last year, Loera (now only 25) has been shortlisted for this year’s Iris Prize on behalf of ReMade in Cambodia, which could see the project win a grant of $15,000, along with essential capacity-building programmes and mentoring. The ReMade team hopes to scale its upcycling efforts, as well as continue to empower more young people in Cambodia to embrace their creativity in a way that helps protect the planet.

Written By: Matilda Cox