From luxury jackets to a mission-driven enterprise
Pinky Laing’s career began in the world of fashion, designing high-end, Napoleonic-inspired jackets under her brand, Pinky Laing Jackets. While the vibrant, statement pieces gained popularity, she couldn’t ignore the mounting fabric waste her business was generating. The challenges of importing materials, rising costs, and the sheer volume of unused fabric prompted her to reconsider her approach.
A pivotal moment came during a hospital stay, where she witnessed the power of community among women from diverse backgrounds. Inspired by their shared experiences and the isolation many faced, she saw an opportunity to merge her passion for fabric with a purpose-driven mission. This realisation gave birth to Remnant Revolution, a socially conscious business that transforms surplus and deadstock fabric into beautiful homeware while providing employment and upskilling opportunities to women in need.
A circular approach to homeware
Remnant Revolution takes a radical approach to tackling fabric waste in the UK. The business exclusively uses remnant fabric, which consists of material that is imperfect, end-of-roll, or otherwise deemed unsellable by mainstream manufacturers. Without intervention, much of this fabric would end up in landfill.
According to Pinky, there are over 8,000 fabric warehouses in the UK, many of which are burdened with surplus stock due to new legislation requiring clear country-of-origin labelling. This has resulted in an influx of unsold textiles that businesses struggle to move. Instead of allowing these materials to be discarded, Remnant Revolution repurposes them into high-quality, handcrafted homeware.
Empowering women through craftsmanship
Beyond sustainability, Remnant Revolution is a platform for women’s empowerment. The company works exclusively with local women, many of whom face social or economic barriers such as language limitations, unemployment, or displacement. The initiative provides them with a means to develop skills, gain financial independence, and become part of a supportive community.
To ensure inclusivity, Pinky has invested significant time in understanding the cultures and needs of the women she works with. “Many of the women do not speak English, so communication takes patience and time. I often spend hours in their homes, learning about their traditions, drinking tea, and building trust,” she explains. Over time, these women gain the confidence to train others, creating a self-sustaining network of skilled artisans.
Each product made by Remnant Revolution carries a label with the name of the woman who crafted it, allowing buyers to trace the human story behind their purchase. “Transparency is key,” Pinky notes. “People want to know where their products come from, and we make that possible.”
Building a sustainable business model
Sustainability is embedded in every aspect of Remnant Revolution’s operations. The company:
- Sources all fabric locally to reduce its carbon footprint.
- Employs a zero-waste policy, using every scrap of fabric to create smaller products such as bunting, doorstoppers, and reusable makeup bags.
- Exclusively ships within the UK, further minimising its environmental impact.
- Uses 100% biodegradable packaging, ensuring that the entire supply chain aligns with sustainable principles.
The decision to focus on homeware rather than fashion was also strategic. “People are more likely to invest in homeware during times of economic uncertainty,” Pinky explains. “While fashion purchases may be discretionary, people will always need home essentials like cushions, blankets, and table linens.”
Challenges and growth plans
Like any start-up, Remnant Revolution has faced its share of challenges. Supply chain logistics can be difficult, as sourcing high-quality remnant fabric in large volumes requires constant effort. Additionally, working with women who have varying levels of experience means training is a time-intensive process.
Funding is another key hurdle. While the company started as a Community Interest Company (CIC), Pinky quickly realised that securing government grants was a complex and lengthy process. She has since pivoted to a limited company model, which allows for greater flexibility in attracting investment. The goal is to secure £500,000 in funding from women-led impact investors to scale production, invest in machinery, and expand the platform.
Despite these obstacles, the business is gaining traction. Pinky envisions expanding the model across multiple cities in the UK, partnering with local organisations to establish micro-manufacturing hubs that empower more women and divert even more fabric from landfills.
Making a difference beyond business
Remnant Revolution is not just a business; it’s a movement. A portion of the profits is donated to charitable causes, supporting both social and environmental initiatives. The company currently contributes to:
- STEP – an intervention charity in Swindon that provides support for children facing abuse, neglect, and autism-related challenges.
- DIRT Charity – a foundation led by model-turned-activist Arizona Muse, which promotes regenerative agriculture and ethical textile production.
By aligning with charities that focus on both people and the planet, Remnant Revolution extends its impact far beyond homeware.
Changing consumer mindsets
At its core, Remnant Revolution is about redefining consumption. “People often assume sustainable products come at a premium,” Pinky says. “But our goal is to make sustainability accessible, proving that you don’t need to compromise on quality or price to shop ethically.”
The company also aligns with the growing rental movement in fashion, inspired by initiatives like My Wardrobe HQ and The By Rotation. Pinky herself has experimented with rental models in her jacket business, allowing customers to enjoy luxury items without the wastefulness of fast fashion.
Additionally, she embraces the ‘Rule of Five’ movement, a concept that encourages consumers to buy no more than five new clothing items per year. “It forces you to think about your purchases and the impact they have,” she explains.
The road ahead
Remnant Revolution is on a mission to revolutionise the homeware industry – one fabric remnant at a time. By merging sustainability with social impact, the company is setting a new standard for ethical business practices.
Looking ahead, Pinky hopes to develop accredited training programmes to equip young women with textile skills, further extending the initiative’s reach. She is also exploring partnerships with retailers and ethical brands to increase distribution.
“This is just the beginning,” she says. “With the right support, we can scale this model across the UK and beyond, proving that sustainability and social good can go hand in hand.”
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