This guide, compiled by the Broadway Green Alliance (BGA) and designers Hahnji Jang and Azalea Fairley, is meant to provide members of our community with resources on how to source, shop, and locate sustainable fabrics for theatrical costuming and personal use. This guide includes options for the New York City area, as well as national options. Furthermore, this guide includes a list of Indigenous and Black owned and operated brands to support, as well as accessible and inclusive brands. If you have any questions, comments, or additions to this list, please email the BGA team. This guide is a living document and we are eager to to keep refining and adding additional resources.
NYC Resources
National Resources
L Train Vintage: Family owned thrift, vintage store with seven branches across the NYC boroughs.
Out of the Closet: Nonprofit chain of thrift stores, with a Brooklyn, New York storefront, whose revenues provide medical care for patients with HIV/AIDS.
Plus BKLYN: Thrift and consignment shop for vintage and contemporary Plus Size clothing. This shop is locally owned and operated in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Goodwill: Multiple branches across NYC and nationally. The following Goodwill location is highly recommended because of the curated section: 258 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Housing Works: Thrift chain across Manhattan and Brooklyn. This organization provides advocacy and healthcare addressing the dual crises of HIV/AIDS and homelessness across various USA cities and US territories. Housing Works is great for props and furniture, as well.
The Sharing Place: East Harlem thrift store for high-quality new and gently-used clothing, shoes and housewares supporting LSA Family Health Services.
Cure Thrift Shop: Vintage and antique thrift store, located in New York City, benefiting Type 1 Diabetes research and advocacy. This organization is great for props and furniture, as well.
Brother Vellies: Sustainable, Black-owned shoe brand with a Brooklyn, New York storefront. Brother Vellies sells nude heels and flats of all skin tones.
Yam: Black-owned, handmade, upcycled jewelry store in Astoria, New York.
Zero Waste Daniel: Daniel is a zero waste fashion designer, based in New York City. Zero Waste Daniel provides curated “reroll” fabric, as well. Moreover, Zero Waste Daniel participates in various events and collaborations, including with the NYC Sanitation Department.
Lola Faturoti Loves: Black-owned, sustainable denim store, based in Manhattan, New York. A Nigerian immigrant designer invokes traditional prints on modern silhouettes.
10 Ft. Single by Stella Dalls: Mix of affordable and designer vintage, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Buffalo Exchange – US National Chain: Secondhand clothing and consignment shop, with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Customers can buy, sell, or trade clothes and accessories.
Kirrin Finch: Sustainable, androgynous, size-inclusive clothing, located in Brooklyn, New York.
Robin Goods: Black-owned, upcycled accessories and art, based in Detroit, Michigan. Clothing and accessories are produced from deadstock fabrics, upcycled Goodwill garments, and repurposed found materials.
Vallnez Mozell: Handmade, zero waste, espadrilles made from upcycled material, based in Brooklyn, New York.
Miakoda: Plant-based material clothing line, based in New Hyde Park, New York. Miakoda works with some of the best and softest eco-friendly plant fibers, including organic cotton, bamboo, and soy.
FABSCRAP: One-stop textile reuse and recycling resource with a pick-up option available. FABSCRAP has two retail locations in New York City (Manhattan and Brooklyn), but is primarily an online retailer. Sample designer and fast fashion pieces that need mending are available at the Brooklyn location.
Bottomless Closet: The connection that inspires and guides disadvantaged New York City women to enter the workforce and achieve success. Bottomless Closet provides clothing for unemployed women going on job interviews or starting new jobs, as well as resume training and financial workshops. Bottomless Closet accepts donations of any casual to formal workwear and will resell donated designer pieces to purchase items that they receive less frequently in donations, including shoes, plus-size clothing, and jewelry.
Free the Girls: Non-profit organization with a commitment for being advocates and champions for the courageous women we work with, as well as survivors all around the world. Free the Girls accepts donations of bras to support girls and women who have survived sex trafficking. Local drop-off options include: Bra Tenders NYC, Rigby & Peller, and The Bra Fit Expert.
Out of the Closet: Nonprofit chain of thrift stores, with a Brooklyn, New York storefront, whose revenues provide medical care for patients with HIV/AIDS.
Plus BKLYN: Thrift and consignment shop for vintage and contemporary Plus Size clothing. This shop is locally owned and operated in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Goodwill: Multiple branches across NYC and nationally. The following Goodwill location is highly recommended because of the curated section: 258 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Housing Works: Thrift chain across Manhattan and Brooklyn. This organization provides advocacy and healthcare addressing the dual crises of HIV/AIDS and homelessness across various USA cities and US territories. Housing Works is great for props and furniture, as well.
The Sharing Place: East Harlem thrift store for high-quality new and gently-used clothing, shoes and housewares supporting LSA Family Health Services.
Cure Thrift Shop: Vintage and antique thrift store, located in New York City, benefiting Type 1 Diabetes research and advocacy. This organization is great for props and furniture, as well.
Brother Vellies: Sustainable, Black-owned shoe brand with a Brooklyn, New York storefront. Brother Vellies sells nude heels and flats of all skin tones.
Yam: Black-owned, handmade, upcycled jewelry store in Astoria, New York.
Zero Waste Daniel: Daniel is a zero waste fashion designer, based in New York City. Zero Waste Daniel provides curated “reroll” fabric, as well. Moreover, Zero Waste Daniel participates in various events and collaborations, including with the NYC Sanitation Department.
Lola Faturoti Loves: Black-owned, sustainable denim store, based in Manhattan, New York. A Nigerian immigrant designer invokes traditional prints on modern silhouettes.
10 Ft. Single by Stella Dalls: Mix of affordable and designer vintage, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Buffalo Exchange – US National Chain: Secondhand clothing and consignment shop, with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Customers can buy, sell, or trade clothes and accessories.
Kirrin Finch: Sustainable, androgynous, size-inclusive clothing, located in Brooklyn, New York.
Robin Goods: Black-owned, upcycled accessories and art, based in Detroit, Michigan. Clothing and accessories are produced from deadstock fabrics, upcycled Goodwill garments, and repurposed found materials.
Vallnez Mozell: Handmade, zero waste, espadrilles made from upcycled material, based in Brooklyn, New York.
Miakoda: Plant-based material clothing line, based in New Hyde Park, New York. Miakoda works with some of the best and softest eco-friendly plant fibers, including organic cotton, bamboo, and soy.
FABSCRAP: One-stop textile reuse and recycling resource with a pick-up option available. FABSCRAP has two retail locations in New York City (Manhattan and Brooklyn), but is primarily an online retailer. Sample designer and fast fashion pieces that need mending are available at the Brooklyn location.
Bottomless Closet: The connection that inspires and guides disadvantaged New York City women to enter the workforce and achieve success. Bottomless Closet provides clothing for unemployed women going on job interviews or starting new jobs, as well as resume training and financial workshops. Bottomless Closet accepts donations of any casual to formal workwear and will resell donated designer pieces to purchase items that they receive less frequently in donations, including shoes, plus-size clothing, and jewelry.
Free the Girls: Non-profit organization with a commitment for being advocates and champions for the courageous women we work with, as well as survivors all around the world. Free the Girls accepts donations of bras to support girls and women who have survived sex trafficking. Local drop-off options include: Bra Tenders NYC, Rigby & Peller, and The Bra Fit Expert.
A&E Gütermann: One of the most traditional and experienced producers of premium sewing threads worldwide and offers 100% recycled threads.
NATULON® YKK Fastening: NATULON® product lines are designed for customers who want to increase the recycled content of their products. This product line offers recycled zippers.
The Real Real: A sustainable, luxury, consignment company honoring heritage brands and extending the lifecycle of luxury items.
thredUP: An online consignment and thrift store, where you can constantly refresh your style while creating less waste. threadUP primarily sells clothing for women.
Big Bud Press: Fast-growing Los Angeles based clothing label specializing in unisex, ethically-made, everyday goods. Big Bud Press is size inclusive and especially great for jumpsuits, overalls, and western pants.
Thrilling: Premier online marketplace of vintage and secondhand items from the best boutiques across the United States.
MAIWA: An online store selling a large variety of natural dyes, naturally dyed fabric, educational resources, plant indigo, textile art supplies, organic blanks, bandanas, scarves, shawls, and hand block printed fabrics.
Tomboyx: Unisex undergarment brand, sourcing sustainable fabrics, utilizing recyclable packaging, and implementing waste reduction measures.
Conscious Costume: Empowers costume professionals by providing resources to galvanize a more ethical, inclusive, and circular world.
4Kinship: Small team of artists and makers around the world, including Indigenous artists from Dinétah. 4Kinship creates unique upcycled and vintage clothing and features hand-painted and dyed pieces.
Beyond Buckskin Boutique: Designers advance traditional Indigenous artistic practices by bringing ancient designs, natural materials, and cultural stories to modern fashion. Beyond Buckskin Boutique primarily sells vintage accessories and some vintage apparel.
Urban Native Era: A brand that specializes in clothing design, streetwear, and content to increase the visibility of Indigenous peoples.
OXDX Clothing: Native American owned business based out of Tempe, Arizona that specializes in streetwear, graphic art, screen printed apparel, and cut'n'sew clothing.
The NTVS The Originals: One-of-a-kind designs, prints, streetwear, and art that embrace Native American culture and heritage.
B. Yellowtail: Native American owned fashion brand and retailer selling indigenously designed accessories, apparel, and art, while supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of Native American people.
Eighth Generation: Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. Eighth Generation produced the first textile line made by a Native-owned company and their website includes a “Shop by Cause” option.
Cherokee Woman: Native woman owned and operated online boutique and small business, selling Native upcycled art, accessories, and jewelry.
Cheekbone Beauty: Indigenous-owned and founded, digitally-native, Canadian cosmetics company creating high quality, cruelty-free beauty products such as liquid lipsticks and complexion products. Cheekbone Beauty has donated over $108,000 in total to causes and organizations, including Shannen’s Dream, the FNCS, the Navajo Water Project, and One Tree Planted.
MagnaReady: Provider of magnetic fastening clothing, including adults and children’s apparel, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Rebirth Garments: Gender, non-conforming lingerie for all bodies, based in Chicago, Illinois. Rebirth Garments sells disability specific face masks, accessories, fashion, and chest binders.
Udelco, Inc: Wholesale vintage 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s clothing distributor open to the public, located in Hawthrone, New Jersey. Udelco, Inc. sells merchandise from 1970’s prairie dresses to military surplus and is especially great for cowboy boots. This shop accepts cash only and wholesale purchases are optional.
Swanson’s Fabrics: A community fabric and fiber craft store stocked with the unused items of other sewers. Swanson’s Fabrics is a thrift store with a mission to supply everyone with affordable materials while helping those with too much reduce their stashes in a comfortable way. Zoom and FaceTime shopping appointments are available. All fabric is priced at $4.00/yard. Swanson’s Fabrics is located in Montague, Massachusetts, but is also an online retailer.
NATULON® YKK Fastening: NATULON® product lines are designed for customers who want to increase the recycled content of their products. This product line offers recycled zippers.
The Real Real: A sustainable, luxury, consignment company honoring heritage brands and extending the lifecycle of luxury items.
thredUP: An online consignment and thrift store, where you can constantly refresh your style while creating less waste. threadUP primarily sells clothing for women.
Big Bud Press: Fast-growing Los Angeles based clothing label specializing in unisex, ethically-made, everyday goods. Big Bud Press is size inclusive and especially great for jumpsuits, overalls, and western pants.
Thrilling: Premier online marketplace of vintage and secondhand items from the best boutiques across the United States.
MAIWA: An online store selling a large variety of natural dyes, naturally dyed fabric, educational resources, plant indigo, textile art supplies, organic blanks, bandanas, scarves, shawls, and hand block printed fabrics.
Tomboyx: Unisex undergarment brand, sourcing sustainable fabrics, utilizing recyclable packaging, and implementing waste reduction measures.
Conscious Costume: Empowers costume professionals by providing resources to galvanize a more ethical, inclusive, and circular world.
4Kinship: Small team of artists and makers around the world, including Indigenous artists from Dinétah. 4Kinship creates unique upcycled and vintage clothing and features hand-painted and dyed pieces.
Beyond Buckskin Boutique: Designers advance traditional Indigenous artistic practices by bringing ancient designs, natural materials, and cultural stories to modern fashion. Beyond Buckskin Boutique primarily sells vintage accessories and some vintage apparel.
Urban Native Era: A brand that specializes in clothing design, streetwear, and content to increase the visibility of Indigenous peoples.
OXDX Clothing: Native American owned business based out of Tempe, Arizona that specializes in streetwear, graphic art, screen printed apparel, and cut'n'sew clothing.
The NTVS The Originals: One-of-a-kind designs, prints, streetwear, and art that embrace Native American culture and heritage.
B. Yellowtail: Native American owned fashion brand and retailer selling indigenously designed accessories, apparel, and art, while supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of Native American people.
Eighth Generation: Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. Eighth Generation produced the first textile line made by a Native-owned company and their website includes a “Shop by Cause” option.
Cherokee Woman: Native woman owned and operated online boutique and small business, selling Native upcycled art, accessories, and jewelry.
Cheekbone Beauty: Indigenous-owned and founded, digitally-native, Canadian cosmetics company creating high quality, cruelty-free beauty products such as liquid lipsticks and complexion products. Cheekbone Beauty has donated over $108,000 in total to causes and organizations, including Shannen’s Dream, the FNCS, the Navajo Water Project, and One Tree Planted.
MagnaReady: Provider of magnetic fastening clothing, including adults and children’s apparel, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Rebirth Garments: Gender, non-conforming lingerie for all bodies, based in Chicago, Illinois. Rebirth Garments sells disability specific face masks, accessories, fashion, and chest binders.
Udelco, Inc: Wholesale vintage 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s clothing distributor open to the public, located in Hawthrone, New Jersey. Udelco, Inc. sells merchandise from 1970’s prairie dresses to military surplus and is especially great for cowboy boots. This shop accepts cash only and wholesale purchases are optional.
Swanson’s Fabrics: A community fabric and fiber craft store stocked with the unused items of other sewers. Swanson’s Fabrics is a thrift store with a mission to supply everyone with affordable materials while helping those with too much reduce their stashes in a comfortable way. Zoom and FaceTime shopping appointments are available. All fabric is priced at $4.00/yard. Swanson’s Fabrics is located in Montague, Massachusetts, but is also an online retailer.
About the Authors
Hahnji Jang is a costume designer and activist stylist. Born in the United States and raised in South Korea, Hahnji began combining art and activism at a young age and remembers believing at 9 that their anti-war protest sign would catch the most attention since it featured a cute dog. This drive was later translated to activism through theatre and they returned to the USA to earn a BFA in Drama from New York University. They continued their design training through assisting on and off Broadway including highlights such as SpongeBob the Musical and Jerry Springer: The Opera, and were proud to become a union member of United Scenic Artists 829. In addition to costume design, they utilize their passion for fiber art techniques to upcycle garments, and to create protest clothing and affordable styling outside the limiting gender and size binaries.
Azalea Fairley is a New Orleans born, New York based costume designer and wardrobe stylist. She is a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in African Diaspora Studies and Theater and later completed certification at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Starting her career backstage in wardrobe at the Public Theater and at fashion shows with The Ground Crew, she has used these opportunities to work closely under many directors and designers to understand the nuances of the art and flow of collaboration. She puts all of her passions to use in her work, using her afro-diasporic NOLA roots, fashion background, dedication to social justice, and knack for research to inform costume and styling choices. Her NYC theater design credits include the NYT Critics Pick play TJ Loves Sally Forever, Mine all Mine, and Under the Overture.