Sourcing Fabrics:

Our upcycling process begins with sourcing fabrics. In Ghana, secondhand markets sell thousands of pounds of imported clothes daily, with Kantamanto Market being the largest. The MFI Foundation works with several long-standing retailers there, purchasing t-shirts, denim, jackets, and sweaters. We focus on oversized, heavy, or unpopular styles that local customers are unlikely to buy – items that might otherwise end up in landfills or open-air dumps. We also repurpose zippers from secondhand jackets. By sourcing these materials from the market, we support local retailers while diverting textiles into upcycling.

Washing Fabrics:

At our upcycling studio, fabrics are thoroughly washed to prepare for upcycling, using harvested rainwater whenever possible to reduce groundwater usage. 

Tie-Dying Fabrics:

Some of our products incorporate tie-dye, while denim is used as-is. For tie-dye pieces, the fabric is shaped, tied, soaked, dyed, and left to dry before cutting and sewing. We again use harvested rainwater wherever possible. We are exploring natural dyeing methods to expand our sustainable toolkit and welcome collaboration in this area. 

Cutting and Sewing Fabrics

The most complex step in our design process is cutting and sewing, which forms the core of our apprenticeship training. To minimize waste, we repurpose fabrics scraps into beads and accessories and sell prototypes and samples at reduced prices. This approach reduces textile waste while providing practical training opportunities for apprentices. 

Commitment to Sustainability:

Through each stage of our upcycling process – from sourcing fabrics to designing, dyeing, and sewing – our process reflects the MFI Foundation's commitment to sustainability, skill-building, and creativity.