Project CECE
In 2016, sisters Melissa and Marcella Wijngaarden founded Project Cece a tech and fashion startup. They saw the struggle of finding sustainable clothing in a world of ever-changing fashion. A study found that only 1% of all clothing is produced under fair working conditions. These fast fashion trends are polluting the world and resulting in large amounts of CO2 emissions. While thrift stores exist and support the recycling of clothes, they saw a need for an online shop that collected the offerings at one convenient shop. They believed sustainable fashion should be easy and fun to find while erasing the stigma against sustainable fashion. Recycled clothes need to be the new fashion normal.
How does it work?
The website organizes clothes based on brands so you can shop over 300 brands and stores all of which are sustainable fashion for the environment. Their website is able to support sustainable brands and retailers both small and large names. These brands are working to force the fashion industry to make a change. With each clothing item, ethics and sustainability is provided. Filters also exist to shop on sustainability labels such as vegan, fair trade, good cause, environmentally friendly, or locally produced.
Found Success
Project CECE has received over 50,000 in student investment funds and student-run venture capital funds. Founded in the Netherlands, the sisters have been able to grow their startup into Germany and the United Kingdom. As they continue to expand their brands and shipping locations they will find more success. Their biggest goal is to make a change in the fashion industry and with every clothing item sold they are helping sustainable brands and taking business from brands that provide unfair work conditions and wages.
I really enjoyed this blog post especially because you highlighted a company founded and run by two sisters. It’s also interesting that it is growing a variety of global markets. As the general public becomes more environmentally-conscious I expect that Project Cece will continue to see growth.