A group of textile design students from the University of Texas at Austin recently crossed the Atlantic to pursue a six-week placement with MYGroup within the company’s ReFactory™ team.
The ReFactory team carries out MYGroup’s vision that all waste can be reused and repurposed, and in response to a fashion industry undergoing seismic change, creates new products from even the most complex waste material, with a sustainable, transparent manufacturing provenance unmatched in the market.
The students were tasked with transforming waste textile material into desirable new fashion items and accessories, with a special focus on off-cuts of leather salvaged from a UK-based luxury car manufacturer and one of the world’s most recognisable brands.
They quickly immersed themselves in the ReFactory team’s operations, whether discovering the practical challenges of recovering waste textiles, the specialised techniques and processes involved, or simply the reward of creating products with sustainability in mind. Through these diverse experiences, MYGroup’s placement programme has not only broadened the students’ technical skills, but also reinforced their commitment to sustainability in ways that will shape their future careers.
Working with these talented young individuals highlighted how fresh perspectives can fuel our mission to create great products from textiles waste. Their passion and creativity show that the future of sustainable fashion is in great hands, and we’re excited to embed some of the student work in our future product ranges.
Becky O’Leary, ReFactory Textiles Manager
Having now returned home, some of the students recount their experiences here of working with the ReFactory team over the six weeks.
The working day
For the students, a typical day in the team offered both structure and variety, allowing them to work on their own projects and support the team’s work, while also having the space for brainstorming new ideas. Elvia Garcia remembers: ‘My responsibilities varied weekly – some days were spent understanding the supply chain of the material we were working with, others on experimentation and technical skills.’ Elvia also appreciated how the company’s focus on ‘end-of-life’ of products instilled principles of circularity in her work.
Nahomi Vasquez described her typical day as starting with team briefs in the morning, followed by project rundowns, allowing her to appreciate the formation and full lifecycle of a project. ‘The briefings also allowed us to take stock and see each other’s progress, before applying various skills, including patterning, cutting and sewing, throughout the rest of the day.’
Katarina Strimple particularly benefited from interfacing with Becky and the ReFactory team members to broaden her skills and allow her to apply the theoretical knowledge from her studies to real-world projects. While, for Miles Nguyen, the ability to see the operational side of MYGroup was key: ‘We had the chance to tour different machinery and processes on site to see how a whole spectrum of material was recycled and repurposed.
The ReFactory team is amazing and very hands-on. If someone was looking to be part of this experience, I would highly encourage them to apply, because it has been one of my most rewarding experiences.
New skills, knowledge and culture
Each student gained valuable technical skills and insights into sustainable textiles recycling and manufacturing, while gaining confidence in applying sustainable principles to product design.
‘I honed specific skills in leatherworking, particularly in the processes of burning and conditioning,’ says Katarina. ‘Additionally, I gained hands-on experience in prototyping and precision crafting, learning how to refine designs and ensure accuracy in my work.’
Elvia highlighted the hands-on learning experience: ‘I learned how to use a leather skiving machine, snap press machine and an industrial sewing machine with a pedal lockstitch’, while Miles was able to apply their previous class experience in computed-aided design, garment construction and product development.
The students also reflected on the supportive, mission-driven culture of MYGroup, which surpassed their initial expectations. Nahomi appreciated how the team dynamics reflected MYGroup’s purpose: ‘Because they really care about their mission, they are a hard-working team that is constantly striving within a culture where ideas and creativity were welcomed and encouraged.
Katarina admitted she expected the workspace to resemble ‘a waste factory filled with discarded materials’. Instead, she was impressed by the organised, professional office spaces that fostered creativity and teamwork: ‘It really felt like a collaborative hub, where ideas flowed freely, fostering a sense of community.’
I like to hold no expectations before entering a new experience, but the workplace and culture at MYGroup made the transition seamless.
Facing challenges and rewards
‘Hull is obviously much smaller than Austin, but I did really enjoy this more reserved aspect to the city and it felt “homier” to me,’ said Katarina. For Miles, adjusting to Hull’s pace and environment took some time: ‘The smaller size and lower diversity in Hull definitely created a culture shock initially.’ In time, however, the routine of working in the ReFactory team and sharing experiences with those who have lived in the city for a while helped all the students adapt to and embrace their six-week home.
In terms of the work carried out during the placement, the students agreed the most significant challenges often became the source of their greatest growth. Katarina found it difficult to handle full creative control of her project, but receiving positive feedback from fellow students and supervisors in time helped to validate her efforts. ‘[The situation] pushed me to trust my instincts and develop confidence in my own creative process. Though it was tough, it ultimately helped me grow as an independent problem-solver.’
‘I was never really experienced in a factory setting, so the workplace was a bit of a surprise,’ said Nahomi, expecting to find a more reserved, office-like environment. Instead, she was met with great enthusiasm: ‘Because they [the ReFactory team] really care about their mission, they are constantly helping one another to cultivate a welcoming environment.’
I knew MYGroup would be a place where I would find people who shared similar ideas about the potential future of the fashion industry – I found it was a positive and supportive workplace that encouraged and assisted in our ideas.
Looking ahead
The students each felt their time at MYGroup would have a lasting impact on their studies and career goals. Elvia expressed: ‘My experiences at MYGroup have started and will continue to influence my studies with the principles of sustainability, always looking for the best way to create a product with the least amount of waste, functionality and overall human-centered design.’ Miles agreed: ‘The most important impact this internship had was that it solidified the immediate necessity of circular production methods; it will be important for me to incorporate this kind of sustainability into my future career.’
Nahomi added: ‘Through my placement, I now know that sustainability doesn’t have to be “boring” and can allow for creativity and expression while still making an impact’; while, for Katarina, MYGroup’s drive to question the status quo and keep moving forward will inspire her to always think critically about resource use – a perspective she intends to take forward into her future career. In addition, she said: ‘Seeing our projects come to life, knowing I played a role in the creative process was incredibly fulfilling.’
MYGroup’s mission to promote sustainability through creative recycling practices is inspiring. Its commitment to making a positive environmental impact while fostering innovation resonates deeply with me. I appreciate how they encourage everyone to think critically about waste and resource use.
Placement student’s ‘Waist Belt Bag’ featured in Sustainable Fashion Week exhibition
During their placement at MYGroup, Miles Nguyen created a ‘waist belt bag’ using recovered and repurposed leather originally manufactured for one of the world’s foremost luxury car brands.
Following Miles’ deep dive into the creative design process, from market analysis to manufacturing, they created a multifunctional bag that can be worn as a waist belt, cross-body bag, clutch bag or leather cuff. Beyond the primary waste leather material, every component of the bag – including the zips and hardware – has been repurposed from waste collected by MYGroup.
The bag was selected for inclusion in an exhibition (‘The Carbon Cost of Fashion’) for Sustainable Fashion Week, hosted in the famous Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire during September. MYGroup worked in partnership with the local community interest company, Cherwell Collective, which facilitated the event that saw over 4,000 people attend. The exhibition is touring further local venues throughout November and is set to travel as far as Europe into Summer 2025.
