Yun Qin graduated UP Collective in 2020 and recently caught up with Ben & Jerry’s over a scoop:

Yun Qin, what inspired you to start your business?

I grew up with my grandfather in the countryside in China surrounded by nature. I helped him take care of animals, and through this I developed a love for them. My journey into upcycling started when I was 18 and I studied fashion and textiles at Central Saint Martins in London. During that time, I designed new outfits from my existing wardrobe giving them new life. This inspired me to continue creating sustainable designs, and to contribute to a world with less fashion waste and to help stop climate change.

Tell us more about the upcycling model of your business

YUN QIN FAN offers a NEW LIFE 新生命 innovative circular upcycling model, through which pieces can be redesigned and returned to the wearer, to give garments a new lease on life, help to reduce fashion waste, and offer customers the opportunity to wear reimagined YUN QIN FAN designs forever. Wearing YUN QIN FAN designs improves peoples’ sense of self and spectrum of expression, but also gives them the opportunity to be part of a planet - and people-friendly fashion brand.

Why is this so important to you?

Waste will always pollute the environment if it’s not handled with care. I strongly believe in the need for a circular economy and that we all must make an effort to improve the world we are living in. As a changemaker it’s important to look at every opportunity to take responsibility, in order to reduce waste and to protect nature from the very alarming situation that we are facing regarding climate change.

What’s next for your business and how can people get involved?

Social media is a very important platform when doing business today. I am working to increase my presence on social media, to promote my brand, my brand philosophy and to generate more potential customers.

An important next step is to collect second hand and deadstock fabrics, which will be used in my new collection.

To support my business, please follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yunqinfan/

Are you based in London? Do you have a business idea but don’t yet know how to get started?

This summer, why not follow in Yun Qin's footsteps and join UP Collective with TERN in London?