Rethinking business models for a thriving fashion industry
Circular business models for fashion, which are designed to make revenue without making new...
"Sojo is an accessible way for my generation to engage with tailoring and repairing through a straightforward process that they’re used to – playing with an app on their phone.”
Josephine Philips, Founder and CEO
What they do
Sojo is a mobile application that seeks to make clothing alterations and repairs as easy and hassle-free as possible. The app works by connecting its users to local seamsters or tailoring businesses and delivering their items to be altered or repaired. Orders take three to five working days. All pick-ups and deliveries are done via bicycle.
Why is it an example of a circular economy?
Sojo works to keep garments in circulation while generating new demand for local tailoring businesses in London who can tap into a broader customer base through Sojo. The app is making it easier to maximise the longevity of our clothes whilst increasing the number of uses per product. At the same time, the app equips new, smartphone-dependent generations with the tools they need to overcome the typical sizing challenges of unique, second-hand items.
What are the benefits?
Sojo users, typically 22-28 years old, can access repairs and alterations from their smartphones without having to leave their homes. Sojo is successfully providing a convenient solution for its users to access services that can extend the life of their clothes. In fact, the App started by providing clothing alterations only but quickly moved into providing repairs.
Photo credit: Tiny Studios
How it works in detail
The process of making a repair or alteration order via the Sojo App is similar to the one of ordering food via delivery services such as Deliveroo or Uber Eats.
Users download the app, enter their postcode, find a vetted seamster in their area, select the alterations or repairs they need and then add them to their basket to place an order.
The item is then picked up on a designated date and time chosen by the user.
Items are then altered or repaired. Users get notified when the order has been fulfilled, and it will usually be dropped back the following evening by bike. The order typically takes three to five working days.
As Sojo expands, they are looking into tapping the gig economy model by onboarding freelancers to the app who are skilled in specific repairs or/and alterations.
Sojo is already developing partnerships with laundry service Oxwash and vintage clothing retailer Beyond Retro.
Published 23 November 2021
