From one idea to a full weekend of sustainability
Van Tilburg Fashion & Sport in Nistelrode is not a shop that stands still. With Iris van Loon responsible for purchasing, logistics, and sustainability, and Linda Dortmans as sustainability project manager, the team is taking consciously steps toward a more sustainable future. We spoke with them about their remarkable pop-up weekend, customer responses and plans for 2026.
Two women, one mission
Iris van Loon brings a wealth of retail experience: before joining Van Tilburg, she spent ten years at de Bijenkorf in a variety of roles and departments. That broad background enables her to view and improve processes from multiple perspectives. She has now been with Van Tilburg for three years, during which she has successfully implemented meaningful process improvements and new ways of working.
Linda Dortmans started five years ago as a sales assistant in the menswear department, initially as a part-time job alongside her studies. After graduating from HAS last summer, she made the move to the role of sustainability manager. A natural progression for someone who knows the store from the inside and is passionate about it.
From one idea to a full weekend of sustainability
What began as an idea for an upcycled collection quickly grew into something much larger. Iris and Linda saw opportunities to explore various sustainable concepts and discover what best fits the fashion profile, the customers, and the organization. The result was a pop-up weekend in which multiple initiatives came together: a handmade upcycled collection, a carefully curated vintage collection and a workshop where visitors learned how to repair clothing and give it a new life. The outcome was an inspiring and cohesive event in which sustainability came to life in many different ways.
Surprised by colleagues and visitors
A new project always brings tension with it. That is precisely why the enthusiastic response from colleagues was especially meaningful to Iris and Linda. Their positive involvement gave the team a great deal of confidence and motivation to keep going.
Customers also responded warmly to the weekend. The upcycled collection was welcomed with open arms and drew plenty of attention. The pre-loved collection sparked more mixed reactions: some visitors were immediately enthusiastic, while others were more hesitant. Understandably, pre-loved requires a different way of thinking about clothing than customers are used to at Van Tilburg. The workshops were a resounding success: participants got actively involved, supported by colleagues and the passion in the room was palpable.
Proud of more than results
What makes Iris and Linda most proud is not so much the final outcome, but the fact that ideas no longer remain on paper. They are given the opportunity to truly bring plans to life and test concepts in practice. That process does not always run smoothly, but it is precisely the freedom to experiment and learn that makes it so rewarding.
In addition, new collaborations and valuable connections have emerged that have not only strengthened this project but also contribute to the continued growth and development of the store.
Looking ahead to 2026: second-hand children’s collection and greater transparency
The upcycled collection from ‘t Atelier has now found a permanent spot in the store, and plenty of new items are in the planning. At the same time, Iris and Linda are looking ahead: there are plans to experiment with second-hand children’s clothing and to explore how clothing collection initiatives can be encouraged.
Behind the scenes, they are working on gathering information from suppliers to gain a clearer picture of where Van Tilburg currently stands and where it wants to go in terms of sustainability. Step by step, building toward a broader, more transparent, and more accessible sustainable offering.
