Have you heard of Zero Waste Daniel? If not, you should really see what these guys are doing in Brooklyn! They are a “the first line of zero waste clothing, made from reroll, the fabric of the future!”
The first time I met Daniel, from Zero Waste Daniel, I thought: “What a kind, sweet and intelligent guy!” Well, it didn’t take much to validate my first impression.
After talking to him for a few minutes, I learned and was already completely in love with what he was working on.
Daniel started a sustainable fashion brand called Zero Waste Daniel (ZWD) and the idea behind it is literally phenomenal. ZWD is the “first line of zero waste clothing, made from reroll, the fabric of the future. It is composed of 100% scrap material.”
As a young boy, Daniel knew that he wanted to start making clothes and as he says, experimenting with fabric. So, his mom took him every now and then to a fabric store which he could get scraps of fabric and just start creating different pieces by sewing everything together.
Of course, he decided to study fashion. Daniel went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and got a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts (BFA) Fashion/Apparel Design. This also gave him the opportunity of spending 1 year in Milan, also studying Fashion/Apparel Design.
While working in the fashion industry, Daniel noticed that every company – big or small, high-end to mass market – had the same problem.
They all had tons and tons of waste material that was thrown out after fabrication.
That’s when the idea came to life! Why throw all this material out and not reuse it in a smart way, reducing waste and creating beautiful, unique clothes?
It’s amazing how much material is thrown away and how much we can actually do with it. And, how we can take this material that is free or has very little cost and do things like create job for New Yorkers, instead of off-shoring and making more waste overseas.
Daniel saw the opportunity of transforming this into a sustainable business!
While talking to him, I asked what he’d say to kids that are almost of our college and dream about starting their own fashion business. His first recommendation was:
One thing that always works and that is one of the reasons why my Operations Manager, Julia, found me and stayed with me for all these years, as we got this business going, was that: business that are actually solving a problem or answering a question are statistically most likely to succeed.
And we agree 10000%! When you’re addressing bigger issues that resonate with people worldwide, you’ll most certainly be able to grow your business, because people will back up your idea.
His collection is not only beautiful, but gives you the chance of having one of a kind pieces that only YOU will own.
In a world where the fast-fashion is growing so rapidly and that everyone is looking the same on the streets, Dan is going back to basics and bringing back the concept of “being YOUnique”.
One of the coolest things in the store, is that his atelier is there too! You can see his team working on the upcoming pieces on-sight. It’s certainly an experience!
All his pieces are unisex, which is one of the other beauties in his work. You’ll find everything from t-shirts, sweaters, coats, jackets, hoodies, tank tops, joggers, shorts and even a few accessories.
If you really want to have the most exclusive pieces, check out his one of a kind collection, currently with designs of Frida Kahlo and David Bowie – both of which we’re huge fans!
We love it all and certainly became huge fans of Daniel, his team and his brand!
Oh, and if you’re interested in helpful tips on how to clean your home sustainably, check out this comprehensive guide on Zero Waste Cleaning.
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11am – 7pm
Saturday: 12pm – 8pm
Sunday: 12pm – 7pm
Location: 369 Hooper Street
Videography: Black3 Agency
Photo Credits: Black3 Agency and courtesy of ZWD
Beauty: Leila Soldeira
Fê is our Founder & CEO! She’s Brazilian (Yup! Not a New Yorker!), but her indescribable passion and curiosity for NY makes her a New Yorker by heart. Fê worked in companies like Kimberly Clark, Quintessentially, Vogue Brazil and Iguatemi Group, and after 12 years of working for these fantastic companies, she decided to go solo and move to NYC!
She lives in Brooklyn since April of ’15 and has been tirelessly working on BTSNYC, working with huge companies on corporate projects, practicing her Arhatic Yoga meditations, finding time for gym and friends! Phiuf!
