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DHL has given its discarded courier uniforms a new lease of life. In collaboration with fashion designer Angus Tsui, the company has transformed the old textiles into a unique accessories line. A sustainable initiative that benefits everyone involved. In this article, I’ll tell you all about it.

Recycling old company uniforms
When it comes to recycling old company uniforms, I’ve seen quite a few creative ideas. IKEA turned theirs into cushions and throws, United Airlines opted for face masks, and the Dutch police repurposed theirs into bags. These are just a few examples of the many companies nowadays giving their discarded clothing a second life. And let’s be honest: it’s simply not acceptable anymore to just throw clothing away. By now, we all know how polluting the textile industry is for our environment.
While many companies take a long time to figure out how to tackle this issue, DHL has taken a different approach. They collaborated with Redress, an NGO from Hong Kong that supports young fashion designers focused on sustainability. Among other initiatives, they host competitions where the winner earns a collaboration with a major company. And that’s exactly what DHL has done.

DHL turns old company uniforms into accessories
Out of all the ideas, the international courier company chose Angus Tsui’s accessory collection. The 31-year-old designer is no stranger to the field. In 2014, he launched his eponymous clothing line and has since released several collections.
For this new collaboration, he has transformed DHL’s old (rain) jackets and cargo pants into three distinct accessories.

The shoulder bag is made from various old DHL jackets and features a water-repellent coating. Not only the fabric but also the zippers have been given a second life. With its adjustable strap, the bag can be worn crossbody or over the shoulder.

The second design is a sling bag that can be worn diagonally across the body. It’s made from various types of work jackets and cargo pants. With its multiple pockets, it’s practical and user-friendly.

Finally, there’s a wallet, also made from water-repellent fabric. It comes with a wrist strap for easy carrying.
A win-win for everyone
In addition to the collaboration, Angus Tsui also wins HK$50,000 (€6,203) in shipping credits to send packages via DHL. The items are available for purchase on the designer’s website, and the proceeds will be donated to Redress. This allows the organization to continue supporting emerging designers.
DHL’s approach is quite unique. When repurposing company uniforms, most companies tend to look for in-house solutions. And when collaborations are established with external parties, they are rarely highlighted or mentioned as equals in press releases. In this case, however, DHL seems to have handed over a lot of control. Not only the design but also the sales and profits go to external parties. Moreover, the designer receives funding to cover transportation costs, helping support his business.
Well done!
Greetings,
Aileen