Happy 14th anniversary interview!

Happy 14th birthday Refashion Co-op! 

On Valentine's day, exactly 14 years ago, Refashion Co-op was officially launched by Eddie, together with a group of enthusiastic editors. So today, February 14th, Refashion Co-op has it's 14th (Valentine) anniversary, hurrah! That calls for something special, right? So I contacted Eddie, our first editor, and asked her if we could do a throwback interview about how and why Refashion Co-op was set up at the time etc. And even though she is no longer actively involved, 14 years is a long time:), she said yes, hurray hurrah!

So here it goes. And for those of you who can't get enough, Eddie refers to inspiring posts and background information from the past.

Enjoy!

Can you take us back to February 2011 Eddie? What made you want to start ‘Refashion Co-op?’

 

Up till 2010 there had been a very popular refashioning blog called Wardrobe Refashion with many contributors but only one editor. At the end of 2010 the editor decided to close down the blog. We were all sad to see the iconic blog end it’s run.

Original banner Wardrobe Refashion

So I had a few Skype meetings with the editor (she was in Australia and I was in the UK back then) and decided the best would be to build a new platform with a large group of co-editors. As you can read on the ‘about’ page, this project (Refashion Co-op ed) was set up to keep the online refashion community alive.

 

We put a lot of thought into the idea that the platform should not rely on one alone editor and that it should be future proof, so that when 1 editor had to step away (which would inevitably happen because - life), new editors could join the team and learn how to manage the platform with whatever skills they happen to bring to the table. In the beginning the editors had each their day of the week to moderate. The editor of the day (EOD) checked the posts of the day and added a comment as a way of creating engagement with everyone’s posts. These comments were signed for example: ‘Eddie EOD’.

On top of this we had a specific Membership Editor or two to process and keep on top of whether editors were posting at least once a month. We also had an editor for Facebook and Pinterest at one point. 

How long have you been involved as an editor?

My first post was on a Wednesday, 16th february 2011, introducing myself and showing off some of my refashions. I was an editor until 2014 (my last refashion post was a ‘Knitted refashion of a vest’  on the 30^th of march 2014). I left because my research career was getting busier and I didn't have time to refashion much anymore.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of time for creative pursuits these days. But I have done one refashion lately of a special merchandise t-shirt that just had a bit of a bad fit. So I redid the sleeves and neckline. 

Who was/were your favourite refashionista(s)?

I always had a soft spot for my co-founder Ericas refashions, I loved her emerald green 80s dress refashion for example.  

What was your own favourite refashion? 

Here is a refashion I made quite early on, where I unravel a sweater and knitted a lace shawl. (feb 2011)

A baby romper I made from an old mens shirt (aug. 2012)

And one of my last refashions on the coop, made with knitting. 

And what do you think is the strength of Refashion Co-op?

I have always believed the greatest strength lay in the way we set it up so that it wasn’t dependent on one or two editors. It was and has continued to be future proof. The fact that it is still going, even if it is less strong than in the beginning is a testament to that, and it makes me proud of the idea and setup. 

Also I think that because it is an independent space it has the potential to continue to be a community for refashionista's for another 14 years!

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Let's hope so Eddie and thank you so much for taking us back to the beginning of Refashion Co-op, sharing your memories with us. And you should be proud! With more than 9 million visits(!) over the years, you and all the other contributors inspired readers all over the world and helped spreading the love for refashioning, remaking clothes and upcycling. 💖

Do you remember?
I remember discovering Refashion Co-op myself about 4 years ago. It was like finding a treasure full of ideas and creativity. How about you? Do you remember reading your first post here? How long have you been following Refashion Co-op? Or have you been here for from the start? Let me know in the comments, love to hear about it! 

Are you a former contributor / editor?
...and would you like (or are you willing:)) to think along with us some time and share your expertise or may we ask you some questions? Please contact devermaakster @ gmail.com. Thanks!