Circular Fashion news and archive

Schuh partners with Vintage Threads on reworked collection

Footwear retailer Schuh has teamed up with London-based vintage and reworked clothing brand Vintage Threads to launch a collection of reworked outerwear, accessories and homeware using pre-loved, donated footwear. The limited-edition collaboration has created 57 one-off handmade items, which are exclusively available to purchase in Schuh’s...

Business

Japan’s Spiber secures 65 million dollar funding to scale Brewed Protein

Japanese biotech firm Spiber has announced the completion of a fundraising round through which it raised over 10 billion Japanese yen (64.7 million dollars) to support the mass production of its Brewed Protein material. Developed over 15 years of research, the material utilises the cyclical nature of proteins in a microbial fermentation process...

Business

Textile Exchange urges industry to find alternatives for existing synthetics

In its latest report, ‘The Future of Synthetics’, non-profit Textile Exchange has issued a call on the industry to reevaluate its relationship with synthetic fibres and textiles, while cautioning suppliers on a potentially overbearing reliance on raw materials. While the organisation is urging fashion to eliminate the use of new virgin, fossil...

BusinessFeatured

These new sneaker models rely on circular economy, local production and customisation

The sneaker world is just one area of fashion that needs to become more sustainable and those in the sector have been working on new ideas and better solutions for years. As such, new materials, new recycling concepts and shorter supply chains are helping to reduce the carbon footprint. The global market for sustainable sneakers was estimated at...

Business

UK Textile Recycling Association calls for regulation, warns of sector’s collapse

The UK’s Textile Recycling Association (TRA) is calling on the government to introduce regulations similar to ones brought to the EU in an attempt to avoid the “imminent collapse of the textile recycling sector”. The trade organisation, which oversees 75 percent of the region’s used textiles collectors and sorters, said that due to “global...

BusinessFeatured

Sustainability in fashion: highlights from January to March 2024

In the first quarter of 2024, much happened again in terms of sustainability efforts in the textile and apparel sector and related industries. For example, there was a lot to read - you should not miss the important reports mentioned below, changes in legislation, interviews conducted by FashionUnited with industry pioneers, as well as...

Business

Spinnova and Suzano may open a new production facility

Spinnova Plc and Suzano S.A. have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the goal to develop wood-based Spinnova fibres. For this, the companies may need a new production facility, according to a press release seen by FashionUnited. Spinnova and Suzano have been joint venture partners in Woodspin since 2020. The first production facility for...

BusinessFeatured

Finalists named for 2024 Circular Fashion Innovators Fund

Ebay UK and the British Fashion Council have named the second annual Circular Fashion Innovators Fund cohort, including Swoperz, a subscription-based preloved kids' clothing community. The Circular Fashion Innovator’s Fund offers 15,000 pounds in funding for each of the winning small businesses specialising in circular fashion solutions to bring...

Fashion

Luckynelly changes business model from sales to rentals

Vegan accessories label Luckynelly, which FashionUnited featured just a few weeks ago, has gone one step further in its sustainable efforts and changed its business model: From now on, it will only offer its vegan accessories on a rental basis. “As one of the most successful labels for vegan designer handbags, we not only attach great importance...

Fashion |Opinion

Greenwashing machine running at full speed: Fashion industry must move away from focus on recycled polyester

When you see a garment made of '80 percent recycled polyester', do you think; 'Aha now I'm making a good choice?' Unfortunately, this may not be the case… In 90 percent of cases, this recycled polyester consists of RPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) from collected soft drink bottles. Sounds like a wonderful way to make sustainable...

Business

New Balance launches resale programme through website

Footwear specialist New Balance has unveiled a new resale programme through which customers can now view and purchase pre-owned goods by the brand online. Dubbed ‘Reconsidered’, the programme further allows customers to trade in their “gently worn” New Balance shoes via mail or in-store drop-offs to receive a voucher to use towards their next...

Fashion

Arket partners with circular platform Bundlee

H&M-owned Arket has announced a collaboration with Bundlee, a children’s clothing rental service. Founded in London in 2018, Bundlee specializes in circular children's apparel and extending the lifespan of a category which is typically worn for a limited time. Through the partnership, subscribers gain access to the rental of Arket’s essential...