53 Sustainability efforts of the fashion industry in August 2021

  August 2021 was a very strong month in terms of sustainability initiatives of the fashion industry – there were collaborations galore, for example by Nike and Newlight Technologies or Heron Preston with Mercedes Benz or fashion weeks cooperating. Mending and upcycling is in, with brands and service providers offering repair services for clothes. Resale continues its boom and more platforms are being offered regularly.   FashionUnited is highlighting three sustainable kidswear, menswear, womenswear and accessories labels this month and found intriguing answers to questions like ‘How tote bags are killing the planet’ and what are the best countries for sustainable shopping. Read on for our most sustainable month to-date with more than 50 initiatives.   

Collaborations & Projects

Photo: The North Face

Sustainable textile material company Spinnova is teaming up with outdoor apparel giant The North Face.  Spinnova has signed a development agreement with The North Face to develop new, sustainable, high-performance textiles for the outdoor apparel category. This will start with a “ journey towards commercialising sustainable products” using Spinnova materials. The North Face will also have access to the first commercial volumes of Spinnova fibre, produced without harmful chemicals, with minimal water usage and with minimal CO2 emissions. It also doesn’t contain any microplastics and is 100 percent circular.   Read more…   Related news:

American fashion designer Heron Preston has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz to unveil a capsule collection paying homage to the airbag by using recycled airbag materials and upcycled materials from the carmaker. 
The conceptual looks celebrate the 50th anniversary of the airbag and the 40th anniversary of the life-saving feature’s use in Mercedes-Benz passenger cars while pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in fashion design.     Read more…   Related news:

Danish retailer Bestseller and its investment platform Invest FWD have announced they will be working with three new sustainable start-ups. Innovators include Circular Systems, Nature Coatings and Evrnu, all of which were selected for their potential to change the industry and contribute to a more circular clothing cycle. The investments are part of Bestseller’s progress in reaching its mission of becoming a ‘climate positive’ and ‘fair for all’ retailer.     Read more…  

Related news:

• CFDA and Ugg partner to launch Materials Hub platform
• Teatum Jones launches ‘Zero Waste’ initiative with Liberty fabrics
• Lululemon partners with sustainable innovator to produce bio-nylon products      
  

  Brands & Retailers

   

  Photos: Töastie KidsFrom functional outerwear to ethically sourced gifts, these three kidswear brands have a sustainable and eco-conscious approach that’s worth keeping an eye on.

•       Read more…   Related news:
• Three sustainable womenswear brands to keep an eye on
• Three sustainable menswear brands to keep an eye on
• Three sustainable accessories brands to keep an eye on
• Copenhagen Fashion Week: 3 Emerging Designers to Watch    

  Photo: Allbirds Sustainable fashion brand Allbirds has become the latest company to enter the fast-growing activewear market. The San Francisco-based business said Tuesday it has launched its first performance apparel collection, called Allbirds Natural Run Apparel, after two years and more than 70 iterations. The collection is made using Eucalyptus Tree fibre and Merino Wool, and comprises leggings, bike shorts, running shorts, tank tops and t-shirts.       Read more…    Related news:

• Polo Ralph Lauren celebrates return of US Open with sustainable uniform
• Ventile reports “unprecedented” growth in sales of Eco range
• Never out of stock: Why permanent collections are ideal for sustainable denim label Mud Jeans
• Designer Bonnie Young discusses decision to only use deadstock    

  Photo: Puma  

  Sport’s brand Puma has launched a new ‘Down to Earth’ capsule collection inspired by eco-friendly practices, with apparel and footwear created using recycled materials. The “do good, look good” capsule features apparel pieces that are clean and minimal with fun, playful graphics, created with at least 30 percent recycled cotton. While the footwear designs feature at least 20 percent recycled materials at the upper and bear the legend “respect mother earth”.     Read more…   

  Related news:

• Vans unveil new Eco Theory collection
• Sneaker store Afew launches first own sustainable sneaker
• Sustainable sneakers are shaking up the footwear market    

   

  Photo: Dayrize  

  New cleantech startup Dayrize has launched a marketplace for sustainable products featuring an assessment tool to help consumers make informed decisions on a product’s environmental impact. Described as “revolutionary,” the proprietary sustainability assessment tool rapidly and robustly assesses the environmental impact of any product sold on the website “in minutes instead of months,” alongside ensuring that every vendor on the site is fully transparent about their sustainability credentials.       Read more…   Related news:

• Urban Outfitters to launch resale platform, Nuuly Thrift
• Fashion giant H&M to launch resell platform in Canada next month
• Harvey Nichols partners with Reflaunt on luxury resale service  

  Photo: Cucumber Clothing  

  Sustainable British fashion brand Cucumber Clothing is launching a loan-to-own initiative to increase the circularity of its pieces and reduce waste. The new loan-to-own scheme allows consumers to rent pieces from the Cucumber collection for up to two months before they will be given the option to buy the item in full or return it. Pieces available to loan include the brand’s shirred track pants, strappy top with built-in bra, jumpsuit, and ribbed tie-top in a range of colours, such as navy, fawn and raspberry. Each of the items is made using technical 37.5 volcanic mineral fabric, designed to keep you cool and fresh, while also being buttery soft to the touch.       Read more…   

  Related news:

• Dress The Population teams up with CaaStle for rental service
• The Restory launches aftercare for clothing
• Whering app expands into care, repair, and donation
• Two UK charities host Repair Cafe to incite sustainable buying habits
• Farfetch launches ‘pre-order’ to minimise fashion waste
• Dylon Dyes wants to lower CO2 emissions with new ‘Re-Dye Don’t Re-Buy’ initiative
• Hunter launches sustainability and accountability strategy        
  

  Companies, Education, Events & Awards

   

   

   Photo: Red Carpet Green Dress  

  Global sustainable design competition Red Carpet Green Dress has opened its 2021 edition in partnership with Tencel and 3D garment design software Clo Virtual Fashion, challenging designers to submit a digitally designed, sustainably produced red carpet-worthy outfit. The international contest, open to talented designers over the age of 21, aims to kickstart the career of fashion’s next generation with the winning designs set to be worn by a Red Carpet Green Dress ambassador from the world of fashion and media. The two winners will also receive access to the Red Carpet Green Dress sustainability network, business mentorship and a monetary prize.       Read more  

• Related news:
• Kering partners with Prospect 100 to launch design competition
• Nikolaj Storm wins Zalando Sustainability Award
• H&M opens applications for Global Change Award 2022
• Vogue Scandinavia wins Red Dot Design Award 2021
• New sustainable denim event GenovaJeans announces September programme
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