Wasted Atelier
Wasted Atelier is a Belgian womenswear brand founded in 2019 by Dirk Smet that makes limited-edition clothing from leftover fabric stock. It is designed and produced in Belgium.
| Founded | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dirk Smet |
| Country | Belgium |
| Concept | Clothing from leftover fabric stock |
| Release rhythm | About every six weeks |
| Website | wasted-atelier.com |
What is Wasted Atelier?
Wasted Atelier is a womenswear label from Belgium, founded in 2019 by Dirk Smet, a textile agent with long experience in the fashion industry. Design and production both take place in Belgium.
Products and positioning
The brand's concept is built on using existing materials rather than producing new ones. It creates one-off and limited-edition pieces from leftover fabric stock, which Smet calls the "catch of the day". His motto is don't produce, but use. Designs start from the available fabric rather than from trends.
The range includes:
- Wrap dresses and kimonos
- Statement sets
- Blouses and tops
- Trousers
Prices have ranged from about €109 to €179 per piece. New items are released roughly every six weeks, independent of the traditional fashion seasons.
Distribution
Wasted Atelier sells online and has used temporary retail, including a summer pop-up at Sea Square in Knokke in 2021.
Why it matters
Wasted Atelier is a small-scale example of a deadstock-based business model, turning surplus textiles into limited collections.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Wasted Atelier?
Wasted Atelier was founded in 2019 by Dirk Smet, a Belgian textile agent.
What is Wasted Atelier's concept?
The brand makes limited-edition womenswear from leftover fabric stock, following the motto 'don't produce, but use'.