Meet Isice Michels and Annelies Reefman

In the summer of 2023, Isice traveled to Livingstone, Zambia, to volunteer and advocate for gender equality. During her time there, she encountered the significant challenges faced by girls in the region, particularly the harsh reality that many miss a week of school each month due to a lack of access to menstrual products. This experience revealed that only 8% of women in Zambia finish secondary school.

Motivated by this revelation, Isice made it her mission to create a sustainable brand that would indirectly fundraise for menstrual pads. Thus, SIES-UPCYCLED was born. With a deep passion for sustainability and gender equality, she established a fashion brand that upcycles vintage blazers, promoting circularity in the fashion industry.

In 2025, Annelies Reefman joined the mission, bringing her passion for women's empowerment and sustainability to the brand. Together, Isice and Annelies are committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of girls in Zambia.

DID YOU KNOW? Every profit generated from SIES-UPCYCLED is donated to the African Impact Foundation in Zambia, where reusable menstrual pads are produced, pads that can last up to three years. Each item sold has the power to change the lives of 5 girls, providing them with the essential resources they need to stay in school and create a different future!