# From Workshops to Catwalks: The Rise of Visible Mending Creative repair techniques are transforming damaged garments into unique, high-value fashion statements. - **Source:** [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business) - **Published:** 2026-10-30 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/48f0d1b1-6686-476a-81c3-1704d2f89a52 ## The Rise of Visible Mending Visible mending has evolved from a niche hobby into a mainstream fashion movement. Practitioners like Alice Brown use needle-felting to turn garment imperfections into decorative features. This trend shifts the focus from hiding damage to celebrating repairs, effectively challenging the traditional stigma associated with wearing patched or worn-out clothing items. ## Techniques and Cultural Roots Workshops led by experts like Jayne Eagle teach traditional Japanese methods such as Boro and Sashiko. These techniques utilize geometric patterns and vibrant, contrasting threads to highlight repairs rather than disguise them. Students are increasingly adopting these skills to transform sunscreen marks or accidental snips into intentional, personalized design elements. ## Shift in Consumer Mindset Historically, mending was a necessity driven by financial constraints to extend garment life. Today, it represents a conscious choice and a form of rebellion against the environmental damage caused by fast fashion. Participants now express pride in their repair work, viewing the process as a creative act of personal agency. ## Retailers Adopting Circular Models Major brands are integrating repair services into their business models to foster sustainability. Uniqlo offers in-house Sashiko repairs, while Toast employs a team of 14 artists to provide creative mending. These initiatives aim to extend the lifecycle of products, moving away from the throwaway culture that dominated the industry since the 1980s. ## Economic Value of Repairs While some repair services are free, renewed pieces often command higher prices than original items due to their unique, artisan character. Brands like Toast and Finisterre report that a significant portion of their customers actively seek out eye-catching mends, proving that consumers are willing to pay for bespoke, sustainable fashion modifications. ## Levi's and Gen Z Perspectives Levi's is launching workshop programs to teach traditional sewing skills to younger demographics. Despite the popularity of visible mending, some Gen Z participants remain hesitant, fearing that visible patches might be perceived as a sign of poverty. They often prefer traditional, invisible repairs to maintain a fresh, store-bought aesthetic for their clothing. ## Design Innovation and Agency Paul Dillinger, head of global design innovation at Levi's, believes creative repairs will eventually gain broader acceptance as skills improve. He argues that the desire for perfection is fading, replaced by a craving for human agency. Mending is increasingly viewed as a way to preserve memories rather than just fixing stains. ## Future of Fashion Sustainability The intersection of artisan repair and retail strategy signals a structural change in consumer-retail relations. By providing practical ways to maintain garments, brands are addressing the environmental impact of overproduction. As skills become more accessible, the industry is likely to continue valuing longevity and individual expression over rapid, disposable consumption. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmwy9qe5r1z3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._