Rethinking business models for a thriving fashion industry
Circular business models for fashion, which are designed to make revenue without making new...
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"SOJO is an accessible way for my generation to engage with tailoring and repairing through a straightforward process that they’re used to – playing with an app on their phone.”
Josephine Philips, Founder and CEO
What they do
SOJO is a fashion-tech platform that seeks to make clothing alterations and repairs as easy and hassle-free as possible. Their platform works by connecting its users to SOJO’s in-house team of tailors and collecting their items to be altered or repaired. Customers can book the service via SOJO’s website or app and their repaired/tailored garment will be returned within 5 days. All pick-ups and deliveries are done via bicycle. SOJO also offers the service on a B2B basis for brand partners.
Why is it an example of a circular economy?
SOJO works to keep garments in circulation.. The app is making it easier to maximise the longevity of our clothes whilst increasing the number of uses per product. At the same time, the app equips new, smartphone-dependent generations with the tools they need to overcome the typical sizing challenges of unique, second-hand items.
What are the benefits?
SOJO users, typically 22-28 years old, can access repairs and alterations from their smartphones without having to leave their homes. SOJO is successfully providing a convenient solution for its users to access services that can extend the life of their clothes. The app started by providing clothing alterations only but quickly moved into providing repairs.
Photo credit: Tiny Studios
How it works in detail
The process of making a repair or alteration order via the SOJO app is similar to the one of ordering food via delivery services such as Deliveroo or Uber Eats.
Users download the app, enter their postcode, select the alterations or repairs they need and then add them to their basket to place an order.
The item is then picked up on a designated date and time chosen by the user.
Items are then altered or repaired. Users get notified when the order has been fulfilled, and it will usually be dropped back the following evening by bike. The order typically takes three to five working days.
SOJO also has a longstanding partnership with GANNI, since 2021, offering free repairs and alterations and working with several other fashion brands offering an integrated repairs and alterations service to their customers.
Edited 17 May 2023
