Upcycling news and archive

‘A circular economy for the textile industry offers opportunities, but also needs action’

A recent report looks at the chances and challenges of a circular textile industry in the Netherlands, thus providing interesting input for other countries as well. The report titled ‘Towards a Dutch Circular Textile Industry’ was published by Invest-NL, an investment company that finances sustainable and innovative projects. While a circular...

Business|OPINION Featured

Why Earth Day has become largely a marketing gimmick

What do Mother's Day, Valentine's Day and Earth Day have in common? They are all days that highlight something/someone that should go without saying and be celebrated every day of the year - mothers (parents in general), love and our earth. The very existence of such days of remembrance shows that something is amiss - why do mothers need to be...

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|EXCLUSIVE Featured

Upcycling, a solution for companies' carbon and financial footprints

Is upcycling extending beyond its traditional mission of giving a second life to textiles? What if the introduction of automation into this practice paves the way for a symbiosis between ecology, economy, and strategy for businesses? Since 2020, Losanje has asserted itself as a pioneer of French-made upcycling, revolutionising the way finished...

Making something new from something existing is 'in': This is upcycling

Which fashion designers are upcycling? How big is the upcycling movement? And how popular is it actually with the general public, i.e. the consumer? You can find more about upcycling in this background article. As always, we start at the beginning. Click on the icons in the text for more information. Contents • The meaning of upcycling (and how...

BusinessFeatured

Fashion and sustainability in 2023

FashionUnited has been summarising the fashion industry's efforts towards greater sustainability month by month for five years now. Reason enough to take a look back over the years before drawing conclusions for 2023. While 2019 was characterised by individual efforts, such as the development of recyclable and more environmentally friendly...

Fashion |In Pictures

Conner Ives launches upcycled capsule collection on Depop

Emerging fashion designer Conner Ives has launched his own Depop shop with an exclusive capsule collection of upcycled accessories and clothing. The limited-edition collection, designed and produced in London, is exclusive to the fashion resale platform and includes a two-piece T-shirt and skirt set featuring hand-drawn motifs alongside...

Fashion

North Sails names 727 Sailbags as European upcycling partner

Sailing and performance clothing brand North Sails has appointed 727 Sailbags as its European sail upcycling partner to help minimise the environmental impact of the sailing community. The partnership will see North Sails and 727 Sailbags providing a second life to old sails and diverting them from ending up in landfills. Every year, 727...

Business

Fashion and sustainability in June 2023

The month of June was all about sharing information - about new materials, EU legislation and industry pioneers who are driving sustainability in the textile and apparel sector. Sustainability was also the key point on the agenda at the Global Fashion Summit. Product and material innovations In March, the sustainability-oriented footwear...

Culture

Fashion house Aelis upcycling tutus for Paris Opera

Ecology-focused couture brand Aelis announced a partnership with the Paris Opera to upcycle tutus into bespoke dresses and new costumes at its fashion week show on Thursday. Aelis founder Sofia Crociani said she was initially inspired for a new collection by dandelion seeds, which reminded her of ballet tutus. That led her to go see a friend at...

Fashion

Nike Re-Creation collections to launch in London and Paris

Nike announced the launches of new upcycled collections in the frame of its Re-Creation program for London and Paris this summer. For Re-Creation, discarded clothes are collected and re-created into a wearable condition, and then further redistributed, all on a local scale, combining creativity, innovation and the outlook onto a circular...

Fashion

Kane Footwear unveils new upcycling programming ‘Project Renew’

Active recovery brand Kane Footwear has unveiled a new upcycling initiative to turn shoes into yoga and changing mats. Kane Footwear has partnered with upcycled rubber goods manufacturer Lava Rubber to launch ‘Project Renew,’ which will allow customers to send back its Revive slip-on shoes to be shredded into flakes so they can be incorporated...