"The most sustainable garment is the one that's already in your closet, right?"

– Robin Wallis Atkinson

This episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas® is part of a special series supported by the Walton Family Foundation. Through its Home Region Program, the Foundation is investing in the people and ideas shaping the future of Northwest Arkansas — from housing and entrepreneurship to transportation, sustainability, and leadership.

In this episode, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Robin Wallis Atkinson, artist, entrepreneur, and founder & CEO of Upkept.io. Together, they dive into the growing challenges of fast fashion, the decline of garment repair skills, and how Upkept is using technology and creativity to make clothing repair simple, accessible, and climate-friendly for everyone.

Robin shares her journey from painter and curator to revitalizing Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week — always searching for what’s missing in the local creative ecosystem. That journey led her to realize how few opportunities exist for people to engage with sustainable fashion or find skilled repair services. With Upkept, she’s changing that — building a future where people can keep their favorite clothes longer, save money, and reduce textile waste.

Perfect for anyone passionate about sustainability, innovation, and creative problem-solving — especially those who love seeing new ideas take root right here in Northwest Arkansas.

Key Takeaways:

• Repair Revolution: Fast fashion has made it harder to repair clothes, but Upkept aims to make fixing garments as simple as buying new ones.
• Value What You Own: Repairing clothes you love saves money and the planet—think cost-per-wear and sentimental value!
• Skilled Trades Matter: The tailoring industry is shrinking, with few young people learning sewing skills. Upkept focuses on training and upholding high-quality standards for repairs.
• Technology Meets Tradition: Upkept’s platform uses images and (soon) AI to make repairs easy and transparent, letting customers know costs up front.
• Community and Creativity: Northwest Arkansas’s creative network, entrepreneurial spirit, and focus on supply chain logistics have helped shape Upkept’s growth.
• Wider Impact: Better repair services can help slow down the fast fashion cycle and dramatically cut the amount of clothing going to landfills.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

• Website: Upkept
• Upkept on LinkedIn
• Upkept on Instagram
• Upkept on Facebook
• Connect with Robin Wallis Atkinson on, LinkedIn
• Walton Family Foundation’s Home Region Program – Episode Sponsor

Sponsors: This episode is part of a special series supported by the Walton...