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’ve proven that our approach works. That’s why, in 2025, we plan to expand our impact to Amsterdam with a second Hul le Kes Store and a new Recovery Studio. This new location will allow us to offer a safe workspace to even more people in vulnerable situations. At the same time, we will expand our Recovery Studio in Arnhem with a papermaking facility, where unusable textiles and fabric scraps will be transformed into paper. This will provide individuals the opportunity to work on their personal recovery while also contributing to reducing textile waste.

Over the past five years, we’ve laid a strong foundation for the future growth of our company. Now is the time to take the next step, allowing us to help more people, repair and reuse more textiles, recycle fabric scraps into paper, and strengthen our international presence.

Your investment in Hul le Kes is much more than a financial contribution; it is an investment in a sustainable and inclusive future. Together, we can 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 create a world where fashion has a positive impact on both people and the planet.
The required amount is allocated as follows:

€ 110.000,- for establishing the Recovery Studio and store in Amsterdam;

€ 90.000,- for the expansion of the Recovery Studio in Arnhem;

€ 80.000,- for the necessary steps towards internationalization;

€ 70.000,- for internal logistics and fine-tuning of the circular process.

I. Hul le Kes Supporter € 250,-
Free Mending or Dyeing Service*

II.Hul le Kes Friend € 500,-
Invitation to the opening of the paper mill in Arnhem;
Contents of Package I (for 1 person)

IIII. Hul le Kes Advocate € 1.000,-
Invitation to the opening of the store & Recovery Studio in Amsterdam;
Contents of Package II (for 1 person)

IV. Hul le Kes Partner € 2.500,-
€ 100,- voucher for products;
Hul le Kes Relatives membership** for 1 year;
Contents of Package III (for 1 person)

V. Hul le Kes Benefactor € 5.000,-
€ 150, voucher for products;
Hul le Kes Relatives membership** for 3 years;
Contents of Package III (for 2 people)

VI. Hul le Kes Patron € 10.000,-
€ 200,- voucher for products;
Hul le Kes Relatives membership** for 5 years;
Dyeing or Mending Event for you and your colleagues or friends;
Contents of Package III (for 2 people)

VII. Hul le Kes Champion € 20.000,-
€ 250,- voucher for products;
Hul le Kes Relatives membership** for 5 years;
Dyeing or Mending Event for you and your colleagues or friends;
Recognition of your name or your company’s name at the Recovery Studios;
Contents of Package III (for 4 people)

Your deposit is a loan, which you will get back within five years with 3% interest and extras per year. This personal investment in Hul le Kes is much more than a financial contribution, it is an investment in a sustainable and inclusive future. Together, we can 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 create a world where fashion has a positive impact on both people and the planet.

With your investment, we can continue to build a sustainable, circular, and inclusive future together.

*Dyeing or Mending Services are our artisanal textile restoration techniques, carried out in our Recovery Studio.

**Hul le Kes Relatives is a network club consisting of our best customers, stakeholders, and business relations. As a member of Hul le Kes Relatives, you will receive invitations to all our events, 10% discount on all your Hul le Kes purchases in any of our stores, and access to an annual special event exclusively for Relatives. Additionally, you will receive an exclusive Hul le Kes gift once a year.

***During Dyeing or Mending Events for your colleagues, employees, or friends (max 20 people), we will share everything about our developed circular system, sustainability, DIY tips on how you can start working on your wardrobe, and what to consider when buying new clothes. In short, an informative and enjoyable gathering that can take place either at your location or at our facility in Arnhem

We are now collecting pledges to be able to properly assess the feasibility of the campaign.If you want to make a pledge to invest, you can indicate this in this survey.

With your investment, we can continue to build a circular and inclusive fashion system that truly makes a difference. We not only offer more job opportunities to people who are distanced from the labor market but also give rejected textiles a new life.

Your support is not just a financial contribution; it is an investment in a sustainable future, greater awareness, and a broader reach for socially responsible upcycled clothing.

Together, we are creating a fashion industry that cares for people, the environment, and society.

For more information, please contact Sebastiaan Kramer via email.

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