How to build a more sustainable wardrobe, according to 5 Hong Kong eco-fashion warriors

The fashion industry’s negative impact on the environment is no secret. According to the The World Economic Forum, up to 150 billion pieces of clothing are produced each year. Along with its total water usage being the second highest of all industries, it is responsible for 10 per cent of global carbon emissions. A 2025 report by Boston Consulting Group and Fashion For Good suggests that textile and garment production alone is responsible for 92 per cent of these emissions.

Statistics on textile waste is equally as shocking. In 2025, the UN Environment Programme reported that 92 million tonnes are produced globally each year. Redress, an Asia-focused environmental NGO that advocates for a circular fashion industry, reported that an average of 194 tonnes of clothing waste is sent to landfills in Hong Kong each day.

Examining our fashion consumption habits is one way to fight against the tide of the industry. Leading the pack are a slew of pioneers in the Hong Kong eco-fashion scene who are reframing how and why we shop. Their scope of impact is diverse from promoting sustainable methods of garment production and providing solutions for a brand’s excess inventory to making more environmentally responsible brands accessible in the city.

In recognition of Earth Day 2025 on April 22, Tatler asked five of Hong Kong’s eco-fashion warriors, namely, Angus Tsui, founder and creative director of Angus Tsui; Nissa Cornish, executive director of Redress; Delphine Lefay, co-founder and CEO of OnTheList; Charlotte Tsuei-Robinson, founder of Caelum Greene; and Walden Lam, co-founder of Unspun, to share a piece of simple and actionable advice to help us all build a more sustainable wardrobe.

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Angus Tsui, founder of Angus Tsui

Hong Kong sustainable designer Angus Tsui (Photo: Angus Tsui)

Tsui launched his sustainable clothing brand in 2014 after winning the People’s Award at the Redress Design Award 2012. Using zero-waste and up-cycling techniques, his namesake label reimagines organic and recycled fabrics as well as excess materials sourced from local companies. After a high-profile collaboration with DHL in 2024, Tsui went on to debut his fall-winter 2025 collection Giger Vol. 2 at London Fashion Week. His commitment to sustainability extends to his charity ANCares that hosts educational workshops and seminars with leading global brands.

Tsui’s advice? “Always look at the garment label. By understanding a garment’s origin and [material] composition, we can really start choosing quality over quantity. Most importantly, it tells us the most proper way to take care of our clothes, making it last even longer in our wardrobe.”

Nissa Cornish, executive director of Redress

Nissa Cornish of Redress (Photo: Redress)

Cornish is the executive director of Redress, a Hong Kong-based environmental NGO that aims to accelerate a transition to a circular fashion industry. It collaborates with brands, manufacturers, research institutions, schools and corporations to reframe how clothing is designed, produced, used and recycled.

Since 2018, Redress’s flagship initiative Get Redressed Month has been Hong Kong’s largest consumer awareness campaign for circular fashion. Taking place from April to June, this year’s edition sees more than 100 local organisations involved in a citywide clothing drive, educational talks and a sort-a-thon in which people help sort, reuse and redistribute donated garments.

Cornish’s advice?“Shop second-hand. There are treasure troves of second-hand shops across Hong Kong including our very own The Redress Closet in Sham Shui Po. On the other hand, if clothes are piling up in your closet, give them a new life with Redress. ThisGet Redressed Month, we have public and private clothing collection points where you can drop off your unwanted clothing. All the clothing collected will be carefully sorted during our sort-a-thon to either be resold, donated to charities or down-cycled.”

Delphine Lefay, co-founder and CEO of OnTheList

OnTheList’s Delphine Lefay (Photo: OnTheList)

Co-founded by Lefay in 2016, OnTheList is a flash sale platform that partners with premium brands to manage their past inventory through limited-time offline and online sales events. While jumpstarted in Hong Kong, the company has since expanded across Asia and into the Middle East, offering exclusive access to high-end products at competitive prices for a customer base of over one million shoppers. By doing so, OnTheList has helped brands reduce waste and find new homes for unsold merchandise that might otherwise end up in landfills.

Lefay’s advice?“Stop buying fast fashion. Fast fashion can be easier and cheaper to buy, however the items can be damaged very quickly. My recommendation is to buy less but select more high-end brands where you can be rest assured by the quality. Choose quality over quantity.”

Walden Lam, co-founder of Unspun

Unspun's Walden Lam (Photo: Unspun)

Lam is the co-founder of Unspun, a textile innovation studio and custom denim label that was founded in 2015. On a mission to reduce global carbon emissions by one per cent, the company utilises advanced technological solutions to revolutionise garment manufacturing. Notably, Unspun’s Vega™ 3D weaving technology allows tailored jeans to be created without traditional size ranges or existing inventory. The company is inspiring others in the industry to join in, sparking partnerships with Walmart, Decathlon, Weekday, Pangaia and Eckhaus Latta.

Lam’s advice?“Focus on intention, not particular brands and materials. If you pick pieces that work for you and that you can commit to wearing for hundreds of occasions, you are making a huge contribution in reducing the sheer volume of garment waste.”

Charlotte Tsuei-Robinson, founder of Caelum Greene

Caelum Greene’s Charlotte Tsuei-Robinson (Photo: Charlotte Tsuei-Robinson)

Established by Tseui-Robinson in 2016, Caelum Greene is a lifestyle and fashion concept store in Hong Kong that curates sustainable brands with a focus on athleisure and mindful living. By bringing brands such as Alo Yoga, Baggu and Joah Browne to the city, the company aims to inspire a gradual transition away from fast fashion. Apart from an online platform, Caelum Greene has a physical retail space at K11 Musea.

Tseui-Robinson’s advice? “Care for what you already own. Simple practices from washing garments with high-quality, eco-friendly products and repairing minor damages to storing items properly can make a significant difference. At Caelum Greene, we’ve always championed mindful consumption. This extends beyond what you buy—it’s about how you care for what you already have.”

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