The early days weren’t easy, of course: her budget was small and finding out where and how to actually source cashmere clothes was difficult. Over time, she built trust with her suppliers and now has partners in Canada, the US, Italy and the UK. Another reflection of her commitment to sustainability is “virtual travel” – working with suppliers remotely. This has enabled her to expand her network into India and Pakistan without the environmental burden of physical travel.
Her family uses a Škoda Fabia to travel to new sources of cashmere but also for other work trips and to transport goods around the town. Her Fabia is not the latest generation, though: in line with their philosophy, her family has been using the car for a long time. After all, why shouldn’t they, when their four-wheeled assistant is so reliable?
The family business has relied on a Škoda Fabia for years
Today, Alison’s brand is well established. The cashmere clothes she acquires in various states of preservation pass through thorough restoration, resulting in luxury clothing at an affordable price. Alison’s team at Nearly New Cashmere are not just a workforce, they are skilled artisans – artists, even – who share the same values of sustainability and quality that Alison herself espouses. In this way, Alison’s approach has created an entire community of people cultivating a culture of sustainable fashion that reaches far beyond Yorkshire, the UK and Europe.
Recovering and reusing materials, even precious materials like cashmere, has a dual purpose: to lessen the impact on the environment and to bring joy through unique and high-quality clothing. Alison and her staff also educate customers, showing them various sustainable practices, emphasising the need to jettison the throwaway culture and offering advice on clothing care and tips for sustainable shopping.
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