In an industry often criticised for its waste and overproduction, The Flawed Project is proving that fashion can be both stylish and sustainable. 

Every year, around 92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced worldwide, but only one per cent is recycled into new products. 

Emma Burt – known as Burtie – saw this as a problem that could no longer be ignored. 

With no funding, and no prior business experience, she decided to make a change, founding The Flawed Project to save clothes from landfill and give them a second life. 

Burtie has dedicated herself to re-making and repairing clothes to help preserve the environment. Concerns over affordability and sustainability in the fashion industry were another factor that encouraged Burtie to create her fashion business. She said: “I’ve always been frustrated that beautiful things are only available to those who can afford it.” 

Burtie suggested that mending is a form of rebellion against the people and systems that promote consumerism. Her goal is to give individuals more power and autonomy over how/what we buy. 

Through a combination of charity shop finds and donated items, Burtie recognises the potential in every garment and restores it to its former quality. She expressed her love for a challenge and stated that her favourite part about mending damaged or unwanted clothing is, “seeing an item, with its completely individual ‘flaw’, and re-imagining it.” 

Not only does Burtie repair clothes, but she also sells them, giving each item a chance at a second home. After recreating discarded clothing, another favoured aspect of her work is seeing the faces of the people who buy her clothing and, “watching them light up at the ideas I’ve created, and seeing their love for the clothes.” 

Alongside repairing and reselling clothes, Burtie also offers a series of remaking workshops, teaching people how to remake clothes themselves. When told that teaching people to remake their own clothes might be bad for business, she simply replied: “But surely that’s the goal? That I’m not needed in a few years because people have these skills themselves.” 

Like any business, there are always challenges, but sustainable fashion businesses often face unique and complex obstacles. When remaking and repairing clothes, it is difficult to remain completely ecological. When asked about the challenges she has faced, Burtie stated that the thread and equipment needed for her business are not always available second-hand. However, despite these struggles, Burtie has found solutions to these problems, such as Scrap Dragon, a Sheffield-based initiative that upcycle and save creative pieces for re-use. 

She also said: “I save everything, literally, I have a box for thread ends I cut off!” 

Competing with fast fashion is another challenge that Burtie has had to face. Many consumers want to keep up with the latest styles and trends and therefore create a constant demand for new clothing. 

According to Burtie, “we are driven, as a society, to want new.” However, producing new clothes often has a negative impact on the environment, whereas sustainable fashion businesses aim to meet the needs of consumers whilst also reducing these environmental effects by using more ethical production methods. 

Burtie sought to change people’s thoughts on second hand clothing. She claims that there has been a definite shift in attitudes towards second hand, repair, upcycling, etc. This has been especially noticeable in the younger generation. 

She said: “I’m noticing a real desire for authentic, natural, re-made clothing and also towards repair techniques.” 

While progress is being made, Burtie believes that there are still too many people who buy clothes only to throw them away. In order to overcome this problem, Burtie explained that people need to be educated on the impact that fast fashion has on the environment, and more conversations must be had. 

The Flawed Project is currently selling its work at pop-up stands across Sheffield. However, Burtie is hoping to open a store very soon, giving her clothes a better chance at a second life.  She would also like to work more closely with local schools and colleges to help raise awareness and spread the message to a wider audience. 

Burtie has expressed her excitement for the future of her business, thanking the people of Sheffield for their continued support. Reflecting on her journey, as well as this new beginning, she said:” Here’s to the next chapter Sheffield!” 

You can find The Flawed Project on Instagram.