Christian Siriano Creates Universal Symbol For Used Clothing
Christian Siriano Created the World's First Thrift Symbol For ThredUp, "Because Throwaway Fashion Culture Is a Problem"
Christian Siriano has spent the past several months brainstorming ways to better our future and putting his ideas into action. He was one of the first fashion designers to convert his studio into a workspace for making face masks, donating thousands to those on the frontlines fighting COVID-19. He made a political statement on his spring '21 runway with a Vote dress that was famously worn by Lizzo and encouraged fans to head to the polls. He helped Leslie Jones stand up for the Black community at the People's Choice Awards, designing a suit that listed victims of police brutality. Siriano is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to using his art, his platform, and his energy to make a difference, and his latest venture is plain proof.
Christian has partnered with secondhand marketplace ThredUp to design the first-ever universal symbol for used clothing. It's a hanger icon improved, bringing in the cyclical arrows reminiscent of the "reduce, reuse, recycle" image. This symbol is meant for consumers to wear proudly to show they are promoting sustainability by extending the life of clothing. Rather than buying new, they are outwardly committing to fighting fashion waste. Siriano told POPSUGAR that he's already ironed it onto some of his own vintage tees and blazers, and he has already confirmed a celebrity style moment — Lily Collins will be wearing the icon on a chic top very soon.
"The fact that an iconic fashion designer is actively supporting secondhand says something about the future of fashion."
While you can purchase the patch directly at ThredUp for £5 in a variety of shapes and sizes, apparel resellers can also buy up these patches in bulk to redistribute at their stores. Plus, ThredUp has updated pieces from its current secondhand inventory with a preapplied patch available for sale now, if this news puts you in the mood to thrift.
If you're sitting there wondering why it's important to show others that you're a thrifter, Christian said it to us best: "Logos have power. They say something about who you are and what you stand for. The 'Thrift Logo' shows you care about sustainability, while a local brand logo shows you care about small business . . . What we wear matters, and clothes have the power to inspire positive change," he said.
It's important to note that Christian's work on this project is not only inspiring, but also hopefully very telling as to how fashion designers will interpret their roles down the line. "The fact that an iconic fashion designer is actively supporting secondhand says something about the future of fashion. We believe collaboration is the key to creating a more sustainable future and we hope this partnership inspires other designers, retailers, and resellers to work together toward this common goal," James Reinhart, ThredUp's CEO and cofounder, said.
Keep reading to see the thrifting symbol in action and read an exclusive interview with Christian, where he explains to POPSUGAR why this was one of the many undertakings he knew he had to carry out at a time when the fashion industry itself is what so sorely needs a makeover.
![PS: What's the first item you ever thrifted that you remember really loving and treasuring?
CS: When I was just starting out in the industry I loved hunting in local thrift shops and finding endless inspiration in all the unique finds. There was one jacket in particular that I still have today that I got at a really cool store in London. No brand name — just a cool, black moto jacket that I wore so much in college. I actually think I wore it a few weeks ago, too!
"I would be thrilled to see one of my vintage gowns from a past collection paired with the Thrift Logo on the red carpet."
PS: Being a red carpet designer, how do you hope celebrities will start using the symbol at events?
CS: I would be thrilled to see one of my vintage gowns from a past collection paired with the Thrift Logo on the red carpet. I love that award shows have become a platform for advocacy. Many of the women I dress for these events are passionate about sustainability and love [to] thrift. Now those values can be shared.
PS: Have any of your celebrity clients committed to wearing the new CS x ThredUp symbol yet?
CS: Lily Collins, who I have dressed many times, will be the first celebrity to debut the logo on a superchic thrifted top from ThredUp. I'm also sending the logo to some of my friends who I know believe deeply in sustainability, so we will see who's next! ThredUp has shown that the more people reuse clothing, the better it is for the planet, and I truly believe that.
PS: Do you plan on bringing the new logo into any of your future ready-to-wear collections?
CS: It's on the table! As we explore and evolve our take on sustainable fashion, thrift is part of that conversation, and I'm excited to find new cool ways to celebrate that.](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/vaFgSeFl9_JxY_zrvMXKDplvO5k/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-/2020/12/07/762/n/1922564/e20eb8415d1d39bf_IMG_0101-6887_3_copy/i/PS-What-first-item-you-ever-thrifted-that-you-remember-really.jpg "PS: What's the first item you ever thrifted that you remember really loving and treasuring?
CS: When I was just starting out in the industry I loved hunting in local thrift shops and finding endless inspiration in all the unique finds. There was one jacket in particular that I still have today that I got at a really cool store in London. No brand name — just a cool, black moto jacket that I wore so much in college. I actually think I wore it a few weeks ago, too!
\"I would be thrilled to see one of my vintage gowns from a past collection paired with the Thrift Logo on the red carpet.\"
PS: Being a red carpet designer, how do you hope celebrities will start using the symbol at events?
CS: I would be thrilled to see one of my vintage gowns from a past collection paired with the Thrift Logo on the red carpet. I love that award shows have become a platform for advocacy. Many of the women I dress for these events are passionate about sustainability and love [to] thrift. Now those values can be shared.
PS: Have any of your celebrity clients committed to wearing the new CS x ThredUp symbol yet?
CS: Lily Collins, who I have dressed many times, will be the first celebrity to debut the logo on a superchic thrifted top from ThredUp. I'm also sending the logo to some of my friends who I know believe deeply in sustainability, so we will see who's next! ThredUp has shown that the more people reuse clothing, the better it is for the planet, and I truly believe that.
PS: Do you plan on bringing the new logo into any of your future ready-to-wear collections?
CS: It's on the table! As we explore and evolve our take on sustainable fashion, thrift is part of that conversation, and I'm excited to find new cool ways to celebrate that.")
See the Thrift Logo in Action
