Bridgett Artise
Author | Designer | Up-Cyclist
Webisode 2
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Born Again: Bridgett Artise on Why the Future of Fashion Is Already Here
Summary:
In this ZÁY SHEEN Webisodes episode, Tafreed sits down with veteran sustainable fashion leader Bridgett Artise, founder of Born Again Vintage, House of BAV, and Sustainable Fashion Week US, to explore why the future of fashion is already here. Bridgett shares how she has been upcycling for over 20 years, long before “sustainable fashion” became a popular term, and how her journey from thrift store experiments to publishing a book and teaching at FIT grew from pure passion and shock at the harms of the fashion industry. She explains why sustainability is a natural way of living, rooted in older practices like mending, reusing, and seasonal wardrobes, and highlights the emotional and cultural power of vintage garments, which carry history, craftsmanship, and personal stories that fast fashion cannot match. Bridgett talks about her teaching style, her focus on transparency and true sustainability in production, and challenges aspiring designers to find a unique “why” instead of copying what already exists. Together, she and Tafreed discuss overproduction, microplastics, ethical labor, cultural heritage from Pakistan, Thailand, and the United States, and the belief that in the next decade, fashion will have no choice but to become circular and sustainable, with upcycling at its core.
Why Bridgett Artise Believes
The Future Of Fashion Is Already Here
In this ZÁY SHEEN Webisodes conversation, Tafreed sits down with Bridgett Artise, a true pioneer in sustainable fashion, to explore what the future of clothing really looks like. Bridgett is the founder of Born Again Vintage, House of BAV, and Sustainable Fashion Week US, and an educator at FIT. She has been doing sustainable fashion long before most people even knew what to call it. This blog dives into her story, philosophy, and lessons for emerging brands like ZÁY SHEEN and conscious consumers everywhere.
From Bloomingdale’s Girl To Upcycling Pioneer
Bridgett did not enter fashion planning to be a designer or sustainability advocate. She studied buying and merchandising at FIT and described herself as a “Bloomies girl” who loved shopping at big retailers.
Everything changed when she stepped into a thrift shop, bought a pile of vintage clothing, cut it up, and turned it into something new. People started asking to buy her creations. For her, it was simply fun and creative. Her customers were the ones who told her it was eco-friendly.
That turning point led to:
- The creation of her brand, Born Again Vintage
- A book deal with Random House in 2008
- Teaching sustainable fashion and upcycling at FIT for more than 15 years
- Opening a store and later building platforms like Sustainable Fashion Week US
What started as curiosity and passion turned into a lifelong mission to educate, upcycle, and inspire.
Sustainability As A Natural Way To Live
One of Bridgett’s most powerful ideas is simple:
Sustainability is not a trend. It is our natural way of living.
She reminds us how earlier generations lived:
- When jeans tore at the knee, parents sewed patches.
- When pants became too short, they let out the hem.
- Cloth diapers were washed and reused.
- Milk arrived in glass bottles, not plastic.
Nothing about that behavior needed a fancy label. It was instinctive, practical, and respectful of resources. Over time, with fast fashion and convenience culture, we drifted away from that mindset.
Bridgett believes this instinct is still inside us. Sustainability is not something new to learn. It is something to remember and return to.
The Deep Power Of Vintage
For Bridgett, vintage clothing is not just about style. It is about connection.
Vintage garments:
- Hold stories, memories, and emotions
- Show incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail
- Reflect on a time when people took pride in how they made clothes
She explains that when someone wears a vintage sweater, they almost always have a story:
Who gave it to them, where they found it, and what it reminds them of.
Compare that with a cheap, fast-fashion T-shirt that millions of people own. No story. No bond. No reason to treasure or keep it.
Vintage allows people to feel history on their skin. It also helps reduce the need for new production, which is essential in a world drowning in excess clothing.
Bridgett believes this instinct is still inside us. Sustainability is not something new to learn. It is something to remember and return to.
Born Again Vintage: Zero Inventory, Infinite Creativity
Bridgett started by buying vintage and thrifted pieces to upcycle. Over time, something amazing happened. People began donating clothes directly to her brand.
Now, Born Again Vintage operates solely on donations.
She does not even buy raw materials. Everything is pre-existing. That means:
- No new fabric production
- A tiny carbon footprint
- Garments that are truly “born again.”
She also jokes that she will never see a Born Again Vintage piece in a landfill. Each item is one-of-a-kind, classic, and meaningful. If someone no longer wants it, they are much more likely to pass it on rather than throw it away.
That is what real circular fashion looks like.
Teaching The Next Generation At FIT
As an educator, Bridgett’s classes are not just lectures. They are hands-on, creative labs where students literally transform garments.
Many students come in saying things like,
“I do not know how to sew.”
Bridgett’s response: you do not need to be a master tailor to upcycle. There are no strict rules, no limits, and endless possibilities. By the end of the course, students who were scared to cut fabric are proudly presenting pieces they never thought they could make.
She also learns from them. Students introduce her to new platforms, resale apps, and cultural perspectives that keep her work relevant and evolving. It is a two-way exchange of energy and knowledge.
One of her signature challenges is a 30-day no shopping challenge for clothing. Then 60 days. Then more. Once students realize how much they already own, their relationship with consumption changes.
What Real Sustainable Production Looks Like
For Bridgett, truly sustainable production starts before the product is even made.
A responsible brand asks:
- What happens to this garment at the end of its life
- Will it decompose safely?
- Are dyes and chemicals harmful?
- How much water and energy are used
- Who made it, and are they paid fairly
She is also very clear about one hard truth:
There is already enough clothing on Earth to dress many generations. Strictly speaking, we do not need to produce anything new.
So if a brand does choose to make new pieces, she encourages:
- Small runs instead of mass production
- Make to order or produce by order when possible.
- Testing which sizes and styles sell before scaling
- Honest transparency about process and materials
And above all, she wants more visibility. She wants brands to show the behind-the-scenes process. When consumers actually see the care, labor, and intention that go into a garment, they are far more likely to respect the garment and the maker.
Advice For New Sustainable Brands Like ZÁY SHEEN
When Tafreed introduces ZÁY SHEEN and its cultural roots in Pakistan, Thailand, and the United States, Bridgett sees a special opportunity.
Her core advice:
-
Know your “why.”
Do not launch just another “organic tee and graphic” brand. Ask what you are bringing that the world truly needs. -
Find your unique angle.
Tap into the richness of your cultures. Pakistan, Thailand, and the US each have deep textile, dyeing, and craft traditions. Pull the most meaningful elements from each and blend them in a way that feels authentic and respectful. -
Be transparent
Show people how, where, and by whom your clothes are made. Do not just claim sustainability. Demonstrate it. -
Accept that this path is not easy
Sustainable fashion takes more time, thought, and care. Without passion, it is almost impossible to sustain the effort. With passion, the hard work becomes meaningful.
The Next 10 Years: Where Is Fashion Heading
Bridgett believes that in the long run, we simply will not have a choice. The future of fashion will have to be sustainable.
Fast fashion cannot continue to operate at its current pace forever. With the climate crisis, rising awareness, and growing regulation, the industry will be forced to slow down and clean up.
She sees a future where:
- Upcycling is normal
- Resale and rental are central to how we dress.
- Small, thoughtful production replaces endless new drops
- Consumers ask hard questions and expect honest answers
In other words, the future many people talk about is already being built by pioneers like Bridgett and emerging founders who are willing to do the work.
Final Thoughts: Be Kind To Yourself, But Do Something
Bridgett closes with a message that applies to designers, founders, and everyday consumers:
- Be easier on yourself
- Do what you love with a genuine heart
- Try, even if you are afraid to fail
She does not believe in failure when someone is willing to try. The only real failure is refusing to act at all.
Her journey from thrift store experiments to author, teacher, and platform builder proves that when passion meets persistence, unexpected doors open. The world of fashion does not change through perfection. It changes through people who care enough to keep going.