Five years ago, we, Sjaak Hullekes and Sebastiaan Kramer, founded Hul le Kes—a fashion label and social enterprise born out of deep frustration with the dehumanizing and polluting fashion industry, in which we had both worked since 2005. We believe in the power of imperfection, in both people and materials, and see it as an opportunity to renew the (fashion) system.

With Hul le Kes, we aim to break the conventional norms and offer a sustainable alternative to the current system. Our focus is on upcycling textile waste and creating job opportunities for people distanced from the labor market. We combine traditional crafts with modern innovations to establish a circular and self-sustaining system, with sustainability and social impact at its core.

Currently (still fully) based in Arnhem, our company consists of five entities:

Hul le Kes Design Studio, where we gather used and existing textiles to design new collections;

Hul le Kes Manufacturing Studio, responsible for the production of all our products;

Hul le Kes Recovery Studio, the repair studio for both people and textiles;

Hul le Kes Store Arnhem, our own shop located in the city center of Arnhem;

Hul le Kes Wholesale, making Hul le Kes products available in various stores across the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the USA, South Africa, Japan, and China.

Hul le Kes is recognized as a pioneer in truly circular, sustainable, and inclusive business practices. Sustainability platform Cosh! ranks Hul le Kes among the ten most sustainable fashion labels in the world. The leading international magazineMonocle featured an article on how Hul le Kes has put Arnhem on the global map with our unique way of working. We’re thrilled that others are recognizing our impact and the change we’re driving!

We aim to demonstrate that both people and products that fall outside the conventional norms are of immense value. Our mission is to repurpose existing materials within a sustainable, circular process, working closely with individuals who are on the fringes of the labor market. All products are made in our studios. We produce and sell textile-based fashion and interior products, offer repair and textile reuse services, and dye with natural pigments. In doing so, we make circular and socially inclusive fashion accessible to individuals and retailers.

Over the past five years, we have made our internal circular system fully operational, launched eight collections , produced more than 10,000 products , and repaired over 7,000 items through our Dyeing and Mending Services, preventing them from being discarded. We have transformed more than 3,000 kilos of textile waste into new, valuable products.

Our work extends beyond fashion: we offer educational projects and workshops to show that a circular and inclusive fashion system is not only possible but truly works.

Together with our team of 13 permanent employees, we work daily to fulfill our mission. We are especially proud that several colleagues have progressed from our social programs to full-time employment! Since the establishment of our Recovery Studio in 2021, we have worked with over 100 people from marginalized backgrounds, helping them take important steps toward reintegrating into society. This includes individuals who have faced depression, burnout, anxiety disorders, low self-esteem, psychosis, mild intellectual disabilities, autism, or loneliness, as well as refugees and those unfamiliar with the Dutch work culture. Additionally, we have guided over 80 students through educational programs and internships. Together, we are building an inclusive and circular future where both people and materials are given valuable opportunities.

In Arnhem, we have proven that our approach works, and we are ready to take the next steps. Over the past five years, we have built a strong foundation for the further growth of our company. Now is the time to push forward, so we can help even more people, repair and reuse more textiles, recycle cutting waste into paper, and strengthen our international presence. Our four main goals are:

Opening pop-up stores in Amsterdam in 2025. These temporary stores will allow us to offer our products directly to a metropolitan audience filled with potential customers and fashion industry professionals, while also increasing our brand presence.

Starting a textile paper workshop in Arnhem. Here, we will turn unusable textiles and cutting waste into paper, providing people with an opportunity to work on their own recovery while also contributing to reducing textile waste.

Strengthening knowledge-sharing through the Hul le Kes Conscious Studio in Arnhem. We will offer inspiring workshops, education, and training programs to promote change in the fashion and textile industries. Our focus is on students, professionals, and the wider public, aiming to foster sustainable progress and share knowledge aligned with global sustainability goals.

Expanding internationally and making an impact. We aim to strengthen our presence and spread our message of sustainability and inclusivity worldwide.

What do we need the funding for?

To realize these plans, we need an investment of at least €350,000. Your investment in Hul le Kes is more than just a financial contribution; it’s an opportunity to build a sustainable and inclusive future together. The required amounts are distributed as follows:

€ 90.000,- for setting up pop-up stores in Amsterdam, where we can offer our products directly to the right audience: people in the fashion industry and conscious consumers.;

€ 90.000,- for expanding the Recovery Studio in Arnhem with the Repurpose Studio, where textile cutting waste will be turned into paper;

€ 20.000,- for expanding and strengthening education and awareness programs through the Hul le Kes Conscious Studio;

€ 80.000,- for international expansion and strengthening our impact worldwide;

€ 70.000,- for optimizing our internal logistics and circular processes.

If we manage to approach our maximum goal of €500,000, we can fulfill one of our original objectives: opening a physical store in 2025. This store will not only serve as a place to sell our products but will also enhance our visibility and reputation as a pioneer in sustainable fashion.

We want to be open and transparent: investing in a crowdfunding campaign always involves risks. While we have carefully thought-out plans and are working hard to realize them, we cannot guarantee that everything will go exactly as planned. Sometimes we need to adjust our course due to changing circumstances.

What gives us confidence is the strong foundation we have built over the past five years. We have proven that our circular and inclusive model works. Thanks to our existing structures, such as the Hul le Kes Design, Manufacturing, and Recovery Studios, and our growing community of Hul le Kes Relatives, we have a solid platform from which we can continue to grow.

With your support, we can increase our impact and give more people and materials a second chance. However, it is important to understand that, like any investment, there is a chance that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, only invest money you can afford to miss for a longer period. We are fully committed to realizing our mission and building a more sustainable future together with you.

At Hul le Kes, crowdfunding is about more than just raising capital. It brings us closer to our community of like-minded people—people who share our vision and want to realize a circular and inclusive fashion industry together with us. Your investment makes you part of a movement that not only seeks to change fashion but also how companies treat people and materials.

Thanks to crowdfunding, we have built an engaged community that not only supports us financially but also inspires and advises us. Hul le Kes Relatives, our network club, offers loyal supporters the chance to come together during monthly gatherings, exclusive events, and hands-on workshops like the Dyeing or Mending Events. Our community is a place where ideas are shared, new plans are born, and successes are celebrated together. We send regular updates through newsletters and actively involve our community in our journey.

Additionally, through our Recovery, Purpose, and Conscious Studios, we strive to offer more people a safe space where they can work on their talents and recovery. Your investment helps us create these safe workspaces, where people with a distance from the labor market can grow and contribute to a sustainable future. Together, we are building a network that empowers people and gives both materials and talents a second chance.

As with any investment, there is a chance you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, it is important to only invest money you can afford to miss for a longer period. At Hul le Kes, we are fully committed to our mission, and we want to realize it together with you. Together, we are building a world where fashion has a positive impact on both people and the planet.

Your investment means more than just a financial contribution. It is an opportunity to personally contribute to a sustainable, circular, and inclusive future. Together, we will make a lasting difference—not only in the fashion industry but also in the lives of people who need our support the most.

Join us and help us create a world where fashion has a positive impact on both people and the planet. With your investment, we will continue building towards a future that is more just, sustainable, and circular.

Invest and be part of the change! Together, we are creating a fashion industry that respects people, the environment, and society.

Do you want to invest in Hul le Kes but don’t have a Dutch bank account or access to iDeal? Please contact us directly for more information on how you can still participate.

For more information, please contact Sebastiaan Kramer via email.

To read it again at your leisure, you can download our crowdfunding information.