thezipyard Archives - The Zip Yard

Spring wardrobe reset: five alterations that can transform what you already own

Posted on April 30, 2026 (May 15, 2026) by Jacek

News & Blogs Spring wardrobe reset: five alterations that can transform what you already own Share it! Facebook X-twitter Pinterest Linkedin Envelope-open-text By Neluka Dunning As spring arrives, many of us feel the urge to refresh our wardrobes. Shops are filled with new-season collections, and it can be tempting to start again. But after years working in clothing alterations, I have learned that most wardrobes do not need replacing. They simply need reworking. Every week, we see garments that customers had almost given up on. A dress that no longer fits quite right. A jacket that feels outdated. Jeans that sit awkwardly or have worn hems. With a few thoughtful adjustments, those pieces often become favourites again. Here are five simple alterations that can make a real difference. Shortening dresses and skirts Hemlines can completely change how a garment feels. A dress that once felt too long can suddenly […]

The most sustainable fashion choice you can make may already be in your wardrobe

Posted on April 26, 2026 (May 15, 2026) by Jacek

News & Blogs The most sustainable fashion choice you can make may already be in your wardrobe Share it! Facebook X-twitter Pinterest Linkedin Envelope-open-text Every year in the UK, we throw away a staggering amount of clothing. Between 300,000 and 350,000 tonnes of used clothing are sent to landfill or incinerated annually. That equates to roughly one billion garments. On average, each person discards around 7 kilograms of clothing every year. What is most striking is that much of this waste is not caused by garments being worn out. It is caused by garments being abandoned. After years working in clothing alterations and repairs, I have come to believe that one of the biggest environmental challenges in fashion is not just production. It is the way we have lost the habit of looking after the clothes we already own. Most of the items brought into our stores are not beyond […]

Red carpet ready: how tailoring is bringing sustainable fashion into the spotlight

Posted on April 24, 2026 (May 15, 2026) by Jacek

News & Blogs Red carpet ready: how tailoring is bringing sustainable fashion into the spotlight Share it! Facebook X-twitter Pinterest Linkedin Envelope-open-text When we think about the red carpet, we often picture brand new designer gowns, worn once before being carefully stored away or retired altogether. But increasingly, there is a different story behind some of those standout moments. One that is less about constant newness and more about craftsmanship, fit and making the most of what already exists. It is a story where tailoring plays a central role. Recently, The Zip Yard had the pleasure of helping prepare a red carpet look for Irish television presenter Lisa Cannon. Her dress was expertly altered by one of our talented seamstresses at a Zip Yard store in Ireland ahead of a major awards event. While the finished look appeared effortless on the night, the reality is that achieving that perfect fit […]

Five simple home updates under £30 that can instantly refresh your space

Posted on April 23, 2026 (May 15, 2026) by Jacek

News & Blogs Five simple home updates under £30 that can instantly refresh your space Share it! Facebook X-twitter Pinterest Linkedin Envelope-open-text Refreshing your home does not always mean buying something new. In many cases, the most effective updates are small, practical changes that improve how existing items look and function. According to Neluka Dunning, owner of The Zip Yard, some of the simplest alterations can transform a space for less than £30. “People are starting to realise they do not need to replace things to refresh their homes,” she says. “A small, well-done repair or update can make a big visual difference.” Making more of what you already have Across The Zip Yard’s network, demand for homeware repairs has grown alongside clothing alterations. Last year alone, over 417,000 items were worked on, including nearly 188,000 repairs, with more customers bringing in household items to be refreshed rather than […]

Stop replacing, start refreshing: simple home fixes that make a big difference

Posted on April 22, 2026 (May 15, 2026) by Jacek

News & Blogs Stop replacing, start refreshing: simple home fixes that make a big difference Share it! Facebook X-twitter Pinterest Linkedin Envelope-open-text When something in the home starts to look tired, the instinct is often to replace it. But according to Neluka Dunning, owner of The Zip Yard, many everyday items can be refreshed quickly and affordably with simple repairs or alterations. From curtains that no longer sit right to cushions that have lost their shape, small details can have a big impact on how a space feels. “We see it all the time,” says Neluka. “People come in ready to replace something, but actually it just needs a small adjustment. Once it’s fixed, it completely changes how it looks and feels.” A growing shift towards repair Across The Zip Yard’s network of more than 50 stores, over 417,000 items were worked on last year, including more than 187,000 […]

The Zip Yard Owner Neluka Dunning Named Finalist for Female Entrepreneur of the Year at UK Small Business Awards

Posted on April 19, 2026 (May 15, 2026) by Jacek

News & Blogs The Zip Yard Owner Neluka Dunning Named Finalist for Female Entrepreneur of the Year at UK Small Business Awards Share it! Facebook X-twitter Pinterest Linkedin Envelope-open-text We are proud to share some exciting news across The Zip Yard network. Neluka Dunning, owner of The Zip Yard UK and Ireland, has been named a Finalist for Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the UK Small Business Awards 2026. The awards celebrate the very best of UK small businesses, recognising individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation and impact. To be shortlisted is a significant achievement and reflects both Neluka’s journey and the strength of the wider Zip Yard network. From one store to a national network Neluka’s journey with The Zip Yard began in 2019 when she purchased her first franchise store in Leeds after taking a career break to raise her children. What started as a single location […]

Fashion Revolution Week 2026: Small wardrobe changes can make a big difference

Posted on April 14, 2026 (May 15, 2026) by Jacek

News & Blogs Fashion Revolution Week 2026: Small wardrobe changes can make a big difference Share it! Facebook X-twitter Pinterest Linkedin Envelope-open-text As Fashion Revolution Week (22–28 April 2026) encourages people to rethink how clothes are made and used, there is growing evidence that change is already happening closer to home. According to Neluka Dunning, owner of The Zip Yard, the UK and Ireland’s largest clothing alterations and repair network, many customers are quietly shifting their habits by making better use of what they already own. “People are more discerning than they used to be,” says Neluka. “They’re thinking not just about what they buy, but about what’s already in their wardrobe. A lot of the time, it’s not about needing something new. It’s about making what you’ve got work better.” A shift towards more mindful wardrobes Fashion Revolution Week, which marks the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory […]

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