Here we are, at the end of another year — the seventh year of Rifò's journey.

Since our 2017 crowdfunding campaign proved that an Italian-made clothing brand focused on recycled fibers resonated with so many people, we haven’t looked back. Our mission remains to listen to those people and respond to that niche that supported us — a community that has grown broader and more diverse over time.

We usually take this end-of-year moment to share a recap of the past 12 months, highlighting our key moments. But this year, we want to talk about the future instead of the past and give you a little sneak peek at what’s coming in 2025.

The First Permanent Rifò Store

Yes, we’re a bit crazy: opening a physical store when everything is becoming more virtual. However, our 2024 experiences with temporary stores in Milan and Rome confirmed it: trying on a garment in person is different from buying online, and people increasingly need that experience.

That’s why we’re planning a permanent store 🎉

Most likely in Milan 📍

We’re considering adding a repair corner for Rifò garments and even those from other brands 🪡

We will also continue running temporary stores in other cities, offering more opportunities to experience circular fashion firsthand.

From Collection Box to New Life: What Happens to the Clothes We Collect?

It’s not enough for us to simply say that the clothes you donate through our take-back services will be reused in AND Circular stores if they’re in good condition or recycled in Prato by the companies we frequently visit.

Our dream is to tell you exactly what your donated garment becomes, showing how you contribute to the circular textile economy.

We’re working with the Swedish startup Papertale to develop a blockchain traceability project. In line with the European EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) regulation, we aim to launch a tracking system in the second half of 2025. Through this software, you’ll be able to follow your old sweater's journey — whether it’s destined for second-hand use or recycled into new yarn and then a new sweater.

Strengthening the 4 Rs of Circular Economy

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, and RECOVER.

How do we interpret these principles in our work?

Reduce waste and avoid overproduction through presales and by upcycling leftover materials into zero-waste capsules.

We promote the reuse of garments, even damaged ones, extending their life with our Love Lasts repair service, free for the first three years of a garment's life.

We involve you in the circular economy by creating a textile recycling channel that anyone can participate in through our take-back program.

What’s missing? Recovery, meaning a second-hand market for Rifò garments. We’re working on launching a Recommerce platform.

We’ve noticed more and more Rifò garments for sale on Vinted. So, we thought it would be great to create a community that exchanges or resells our products directly on our website. Would you like that?

Transparency Is Everything

And we truly believe in it.

We aim to introduce the Bcome QR code, which details each product's environmental impact, on 70% of our 2025 collections.

Numbers aren’t always easy to interpret, but we want to help you develop awareness and critical thinking — tools that help avoid falling into greenwashing traps.

We’re also auditing our artisans and making our supply chain — including subcontractors — more transparent.

Our goal? To make the value and complexity behind each garment clear and visible.

In this context, we’re working on showing the price breakdown of each garment on our website: how much we paid for materials and labor, and what markup was applied.

Regenerating Professional Skills in the Textile Industry

With the Nei Nostri Panni project, since 2022, we have combined the social integration of migrants with the need for generational renewal in the textile sector.

We do this in the Prato district by offering paid internships and collaborating with various companies that finance and host new talent for targeted and valuable training.

Since 2022, the project has grown, expanding into recycling, spinning, weaving, and knitting sectors. In the latest edition, nearly 50% of participants were women.

The shortage of skilled workers is a real issue affecting various manufacturing industries.

Finding a solution means supporting Made in Italy and creating concrete opportunities. We will continue to champion this project and help it grow even further.

Engaging People, Being a Human Brand

We conclude with a confirmation rather than a novelty, but one that means a lot to us. Building a bond with our community has always defined and supported us, even during challenging times. Trends confirm that this is a path worth continuing. That’s why we will involve you even more in our processes and decisions.

We’ll do this through new Co-Rifò activities — moments where we connect with local communities.

We’ll also introduce new Co-Design activities, where we’ll ask for your input on the products we’re developing.

We’ll continue to share our processes, our growth as a brand and team, and the work that goes into creating a garment.

Because change isn’t just Rifò: change is us together with you, with people who envision a different future for the fashion industry.

Shall we keep driving change together?

Wishing you a wonderful 2025 — may it be Rifolutionary!

The Rifò Team