We help keep clothing and accessories in circulation for longer, by offering items that are pre-loved, repaired or upcycled. In Beauty, we identify product packaging that can be refilled multiple times. Read on to learn more about the ways we recognise and enable extending the use of items.
One of the key principles of a circular economy, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, is to keep products and materials in circulation, at their highest possible value, for as long as possible. In practice, we seek to increasingly enable our customers to give fashion products a seond-life by curating items that are pre-loved and can be reused, have been repaired to a high standard or transformed into a new product through upcycling.
Packaging is a necessary part of most beauty products and is often single-use. By offering packaging that can be refilled multiple times and facilitating access to minimally packaged refills, we aim to help to reduce waste.
At THE ICONIC, to qualify as pre-loved, an item must be second hand. This means it has been previously owned, worn or used by at least one other person. Our Pre-Loved Edit may include items that have been: bought, but never worn; bought and worn once, or many times; rented and worn once, or many times.
Items that have been affected by wear-and-tear, damage or disuse are enabled for extended use through repair or upcycling.
Repaired
Repairing clothing or accessories that are torn, worn, stained or have broken or missing parts, to good condition is an important way we can help to extend their usage.
Repaired items have been restored to 'like new' or 'good' condition. While the repairs may or may not be visible to you, the aim is to provide products restored to a high standard and ready for use for their original purpose.
Upcycled
The idea of upcycling old clothing, accessories or other items, is to add to their value, by improving quality, durability, aesthetics or desirability. Repurposing worn-out or unwanted items or materials in this way, also helps to preserve the work and resources already invested.
To find out what treatments have been applied to repaired items on THE ICONIC, check the product listing. It will detail cleaning or repairs, along with notes on the item's condition and the location on the garment, as defined below:
Cleaning
Freshly cleaned using the most appropriate method to lift marks, remove odours, and refresh the garment’s appearance.
Steamed: Gentle steam used to reduce odours, refresh fabric, and relax creases.
Dry cleaned: Specialist solvents used to remove light, everyday marks while helping preserve the fabric’s shape and colour.
Spot cleaned (stain removal): Targeted treatment to lift specific marks while minimising impact on surrounding fabric. Some stubborn stains may leave a faint trace.
Repairs
Fixes to restore fit and function. We’ll note specifics such as re‑stitched seams, hems, straps, or belt loops, and zips or fastenings repaired or replaced as needed.
Condition Notes
Any minor imperfections that remain are disclosed e.g. small fabric pull, faint or dark mark, colour bleed, visible stitching, or missing embellishment.
Location
We specify where on the garment the cleaning, repairs, or condition notes apply e.g. full garment. collar, cuff, sleeve, front/back; interior/exterior.
Packaging is a necessary part of most beauty products, it helps with transport, preservation and enabling hygienic usage. To help reduce the waste created by single-use beauty packaging, we identify products that offer packaging which can be refilled multiple times and also provide minimally packaged refills.
