United Repair Academy: 'Fashion brands are no longer asking why, but how'

On September 1, United Repair Centre opened its Academy at Krelis Louwenstraat 3 in Amsterdam-West during Amsterdam Fashion Week, in collaboration with Levi’s. The event aimed to showcase the students' work and introduce visitors to clothing repair and its associated craftsmanship. Founded in 2022 by Thami Schweichler and Paul Kerssens as a continuation of his earlier initiative, Makers Unite, the academy now has repair hubs in Amsterdam, London and Paris. Inside, work is well underway. More than 50 repair tailors are busy repairing clothes daily, while students are trained to become the next generation of repair specialists.