From carpets to clothing: Outerknown's partnership with Aquafil

Outerknown, a pioneering fashion label, stands at the forefront of sustainable and ethical practices within the industry. Renowned for its dedication to quality and environmental stewardship, the brand consistently aligns its operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Outerknown's latest achievement as a licensee of Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) cotton products significantly advances their commitment to sustainable and ethical fashion. Endorsed by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, this certification places Outerknown among a select group of textile brands that offer an extensive range of ROC clothing. Their collaboration with Bergman Rivera has transformed 28 acres into ROC farmland, producing 10 tons of ROC cotton from the 2022 harvest. This initiative not only supports sustainable farming practices but also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, focusing on clean water and sanitation. The practices involved in ROC cultivation contribute to improved water quality by minimizing pollution and hazardous chemicals, which is essential for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Further, Outerknown's Outerknown California Series exemplifies this commitment to sustainability and transparency. This fully traceable product line, made entirely in the United States, allows consumers to follow the journey of the clothing from the planting of the cotton seed to the final product. The cotton, sourced from two farms in central California, is processed locally—ginned, milled, cut, and sewn in Los Angeles—further emphasizing Outerknown's dedication to responsible production. In 2021, the brand took a commendable leap by launching Outerworn – a platform allowing customers to buy and sell pre-loved pieces, underscoring their commitment to a circular fashion future.

Setting Sustainable Footsteps in The United Kingdom

The brand’s innovative approach and dedication to sustainable practices have been recognized by the industry, with Outerknown being named as a finalist in two categories at the Drapers Awards - Best Circularity Initiative and Best Supply Chain Initiative. Additionally, their commitment to sustainable fashion has also earned them a finalist spot for Sustainable Brand of the Year in Boutique Magazine. Outerknown’s endeavours are further reflected in numerous industry collaborations. As such, the brand is launching two exclusive Blanket shirts with British department store John Lewis, made from 100% organic cotton and featuring buttons crafted from corozo nuts.

A Partnership for Change: Outerknown and Aquafil

Central to Outerknown's sustainable initiatives is also its collaboration with Aquafil, a global leader in synthetic fibers. Known for its revolutionary recycling programs, Aquafil specializes in repurposing large-scale waste into raw fibers for renewed products. An example that might be familiar to many is their conversion of abandoned fishing nets into usable material. Often overlooked, but equally impactful project is the conversion of discarded carpeting into clothing. Every year, an astounding 3.5 billion pounds of carpeting are discarded in the United States. Only a fraction of this, less than 5%, is recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills or incinerated.

In response to this environmental concern, Aquafil, with support from Outerknown, launched the first carpet recycling facility, ACR #1, in Phoenix, AZ. This facility alone can process up to 36 million pounds of carpeting annually. And the initiative doesn't stop here; another facility is on the horizon in Woodland, CA. This transformative recycling process is a collaborative effort, with carpeting sourced from family-run collection facility, Planet Recycling. Rachel Palopoli, Co-owner of Planet Recycling, captures the essence of this initiative: "It’s about collaboration, keeping material out of the landfill, and creating something valuable."

Outerknown's Sustainable Collections

Harnessing Aquafil's regenerated ECONYL® nylon yarn, Outerknown has crafted several iconic pieces, from the Evolution Shirt Jacket to the Pocket Evolution Trunks. Furthermore, in partnership with Breitling, they introduced a robust NATO watch strap made with the same sustainable yarn.

Outerknown’s approach is clear: prioritize regenerated nylon over its virgin counterpart. This choice not only diverts waste from oceans and landfills but also reduces dependence on fossil fuels and cuts carbon emissions by half compared to conventional nylon production.

Outerknown's journey with Aquafil is just one example of how sustainable collaboration can pave the way for industry transformation. Their 'carpet to clothing' project is not just about recycling but reimagining waste, highlighting the vast potential lying right beneath our feet.