Magpies & Peacocks has collected over 195 tons of post consumer textiles and accessories since 2011. 25% of the donated items are used to supply materials to local schools, colleges and extracurricular programs, the balance are repaired, reworked or up-cycled into new collections for sale.

As part of Magpies & Peacocks Arts Education program we teach young designers about sustainable fashion practices and incorporating post consumer textiles into their production process – to decrease the large percentage of textile waste that hits landfill. Houston boasts one of the largest consumer economies in the country, but as a port city, it is also home to many of the nations largest textile recycling plants that process, ship out and sell our post consumer textile waste problem to developing countries. By educating consumers on how to responsibly shop, dispose of their clothing, and the issues surrounding our current system; creating programs for school participation; and encouraging emerging designers to incorporate sustainable practices, we can significantly impact that textile waste statistic.

By collaborating with the community, business partners, schools, artists and designers we find that social enterprise can thrive – opening the door to educating consumers and creatives about our take/make/dispose economy and presenting an environment for sustainable change and responsible innovation. 

We aim to be an agent of change in the way people celebrate and appreciate the business and creation of fashion, with a better understanding of our planets resource constraints, ethical practices and a more circular approach to consumption.