Cilab is created to facilitate the transition to circular textiles and to provide inspiration for a humanity centric economy.
"We worship not the Graces, nor the Parcae, but Fashion. She spins and weaves and cuts with full authority. The head monkey at Paris puts on a traveller’s cap, and all the monkeys in America do the same." (H.D. Thoreau)
Since our start in 2020 have we been active at all levels of the R-ladder, We have triggered the attention of small and big brands, as well as fashion and sports retailers. We have been working with different fashion designers. We have been supporting many fashion and design students, we have been collaborating with different organisations on developing new practices for processing end-of-life textile and extending the life cycle of clothing through upcycling, remanufacturing and repair.
Our team and lab was enriched by textile craftsmanship from different parts of the world. Talented people, like Shawkat, Radia and Abaseen brought valuable know-how from different regions of the globe to the collective. We appreciate the cultural diversity they add, and the respectfulness in which we all work together towards a waste-less planet.
We believe that we can save the world by using collaboration, creativity, craftsmanship and circularity.
Early 2024, we started a 'co-habitation' with the Mode Ursulinen creating an incredible blend between education and profession. We enriched the atelier by Ziellab, an inspirational installation of the fashion world. It also opened the doors for more collaborations. This way we achieved our vision of becoming a collective sooner than we ever dreamed off.
A hybrid business model:
Cilab operates on a hybrid business model,:
On the one hand, Cilab focuses on the commercial sector, mainly clothing companies. The for-profit principles are applied here. The objective is to ensure a profitable activity within the circular economy. The financial resources are used to finance our operations. Typical examples are the upcycling of collections for Mayerline, Xandres, Essentiel or the repairs for Decathlon.
On the other hand, Cilab is committed to projects with a high social purpose and operates here as a not-for-profit organization. Social resources (such as subsidies) and private financing will be sought for these projects. Typical examples are Ziellab, the clothing for Fabotastix and the collaboration with fashion students from Mechelen and Ghent.
Are you ready for breaking the rules, bending linear production lines, challenging stereotypes, and building a new economic system?
We do not pretend to be the best, the first, unique. We do not go for prizes, awards, recognition.
Our aim is to be part of the transition to a circular economy in a collaborative & open way and make the world change.
Enjoy the story.
The CiLAB Collective will achieve its mission more easily when supported by organisations, individuals who understand the value of what we are doing. Thank You!
CTL - Circular Textile Lab - collaboration with Creamoda, IVOC, Decathlon and Studio Circulaire (2022)
ING Fonds voor een meer Circulaire Economie, beheerd door de Koning Boudewijnstichting (2022)