Sit Down with Lindsay
Sit down with our very own Lindsay McEwan, owner of Trashion, as we discuss her store’s 5 Year Anniversary (and the party to celebrate it), the road to success, and where sustainable fashion is headed. Lindsay, we’re so proud of you!
Congratulations on Trashion's 5-year anniversary(Although it's really more than that-isn't it?)! Looking back, what was the initial spark or moment of inspiration that led you to create Trashion, and how has that vision evolved over the years?
Thank you so much! Yes- it’s been about 12 years since I’ve started Trashion, but the 5 year mark of our store at the Freehold Mall feels extra special. I grew up with a DIY sort of family so I was always creating things, but the real spark that inspired me to create a business based on sustainability was actually a lesson I learned from a substitute art teacher in high school.
She brought some old magazines to class and taught us how to make beads from the recycled pages with some glue and a toothpick. I was already making jewelry at home for fun so this was right up my alley, and the idea of making something new from garbage was truly eye opening for me. All of a sudden, I had craft supplies everywhere! I was making things from plastic bottles, egg cartons, wine corks, soda tabs, old forks… I was trying to rescue everything. Over time, I fell in love with textile recycling and that’s what led to our business today, but it really all started with paper beads.
Trashion represents such a unique blend of creativity and sustainability. What does the brand mean to you personally, and how do you hope it influences the conversation around sustainable fashion?
This brand means so much to me- not only do I feel incredibly lucky to have a job that I love and the creative outlet it provides me, but the opportunity to make a dent in the world’s clothing waste issue truly makes my work feel meaningful. I hear customers say all the time that they are surprised I’m able to fill such a huge store with all upcycled items, and it reminds that most of the public doesn’t see the behind the scenes of the aftermath of fast fashion like I do. There is an insurmountable amount of clothing waste in the world, and it’s growing day by day. I’m hoping that my store inspires people to look at secondhand clothing in a new light and to be more mindful when discarding clothes, because often times they can be turned into something really cool.
Over the past five years, you’ve undoubtedly experienced some unforgettable moments. Can you share a few key highlights or turning points that shaped Trashion’s growth and success?
One defining moment for us was Covid, because it hit very shortly after we opened. It taught us a lot of good lessons in adapting quickly to meet new needs, like making masks and doing curbside delivery. While it was a very scary time for everyone, I learned so much as a business owner and am confident that if we can make it through Covid, we’ll make it through anything.
And one of my favorite moments was last Black Friday….we had such a long line waiting for us to open that I actually cried tears of joy. I’m behind the scenes sewing a lot, so it was incredible to see in person how many people showed up to support us.
Your designs consistently push boundaries and surprise your audience. What’s your creative process like, and how do you continually reinvent your approach to sustainable fashion?
The most fun part about this business is that the creative process is different for every single item. Most of what I do really involves fixing a piece of clothing that’s damaged beyond wearability and trying to make it wearable again, so it’s like solving a little puzzle every time I start a new project. When you’re working with recycled textiles you can’t really make the same thing twice, which definitely keeps it interesting for me as a designer. You have to keep reinventing because every piece has totally different needs.
As you celebrate this milestone, what exciting projects or innovations can we expect from Trashion in the next five years? Any big goals or shifts on the horizon?
We definitely have plans to expand our business a lot in the next five years! Both online and in person- maybe another store soon ;) TBD
We also are looking to expand a bit more on up-cycled designer items. High end designer pieces are made to last a very long time, but even they reach the end of their life cycle at some point. I’ve been redesigning bags and shoes for myself for a while now and would love to bring some more of that into the store as well.
Your upcoming anniversary party sounds like an incredible event. What are some special moments or experiences attendees can look forward to at the celebration?
It’s going to be so much fun! We will have a DJ, photo ops, chances to win prizes from local businesses, tons of food, including a gigantic charcuterie table (yes a whole table, not just a board lol), craft beer, art installations, and more. Each spot on our guest list comes with 2 drink tickets, but if you are a member at MARGO’s, we will be giving you 3! Because we all deserve a little extra treat after taking such great care of our bodies in class :) So make sure when you Venmo @trashionco for your tickets, you mention MARGO’s in the note!
100% of our ticket sales will be donated to the Freehold Area Open Door Food Bank, which is an integral part of our Freehold community. It’s going to be a really fun night for a great cause!
For anyone who hasn’t been introduced to Trashion yet, why should they be a part of this celebration? What makes this anniversary event a must-attend experience?
Even if you haven’t been to Trashion, we would still love for you to join us! Beyond it being a celebration of our store, it’s a celebration of community because we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the support of so many strangers over the years. We hope to see you there!