Actor, author, and activist Fran Drescher stars in ThredUp’s campaign for its first upcycled holiday collection as demand for secondhand gifting rises.
In a partnership with Zero Waste Daniel, the Brooklyn-based viral video sensation designer known for genderless clothing and accessories that bypass landfill waste, leading secondhand platform ThredUp has released its first custom holiday collection—and the pieces are made entirely from upcycled secondhand garments.
ThredUp’s Full Circle Collection
The new Full Circle collection features a range of giftable items including pet beds and bowls, scarves, hats, and scrunchies. The collection also includes a selection of items inspired by Drescher’s iconic character, Fran Fine, from her hit ’90s CBS series, The Nanny. Twenty percent of proceeds from the collection will go to Drescher’s nonprofit, Cancer Schmancer.
“I love the ethos of this collection, and working with ThredUp and Zero Waste Daniel to create Fran Fine-approved custom looks was a dream,” Drescher said in a statement. “This holiday season, it’s so important to consider buying gifts that are planet friendly and give back. This upcycled collection is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. It’s especially close to my heart because ThredUp is donating a portion of proceeds to my organization, Cancer Schmancer.”
Zero Waste Daniel, who went viral in 2017 for his no-excuses approach to sustainable design, says the sustainable label is being misused. “Nowadays, it feels like sustainable is a word people slap on something to make it more expensive,” he said.
“My core belief is that everyone deserves to look and feel their best, and we all deserve a healthy planet too. I am so inspired by ThredUp’s mission and was eager to tackle and challenge industry norms, by making the sustainable option affordable.” Zero Waste Daniel says The Full Circle Collection can help consumers choose secondhand gifts for holiday gifting on a realistic budget.
“It’s always a challenge to get price point and ethics to align, but with the magic of the holiday season and the endless inspiration that is Fran, we managed to upcycle literally thousands of garments, make everything here in New York City, pay our workers fairly, and still have giftable items coming in as low as $10,” he said.
The collection’s photoshoot was styled by Drescher’s longtime stylist and Emmy Award-winning costume designer of The Nanny, Brenda Cooper.
ThredUp and Zero Waste Daniel ensured nothing went to waste; the 1000-piece collection used approximately two thousand pounds of textiles that could not otherwise be sold, the company said.
“We hope this collection designed by Zero Waste Daniel demonstrates that there is always more life left in the clothing we give away,” Erin Wallace, VP of Integrated Marketing at ThredUp, said in a statement.
“As one of the largest online thrift stores, we are committed to thinking creatively about how we can recirculate and make use of every single item that comes through our doors. We also love a fashion throwback, so we decided to marry two of our favorites: secondhand clothes transformed into new looks, and unforgettable ’90s fashion. Who better to represent this combination than the ultimate then-and-now fashion icon, Fran Drescher,” Wallace said.
“We are thrilled to partner with her and Zero Waste Daniel on this campaign and show the world that some things just never go out of style.”
Secondhand holiday giving
The platform also released findings from its 2022 Holiday Survey conducted in partnership with GlobalData. According to its findings, 78 percent of consumers said they are looking for unique and affordable holiday gifts.
The survey found more than 70 percent of consumers aim to be less wasteful this season, and nearly 75 percent of millennial shoppers say they want to give eco-friendly gifts this year. Sixty-six percent of consumers also said purchasing secondhand gifts is more widely accepted today than it was five years ago.
More than half of the consumers surveyed also said they’re more open to receiving secondhand gifts, citing them as being more unique than new items and more sustainable.
The new Full Circle collection will be available to shop beginning November 15, 2022 on ThredUp’s website. Prices range from $10 to $600. Shoppers can sign up for notifications when the collection drops by texting FRAN to 40272.
Related on Ethos:
