Balenciaga, which already works to improve its environmental print environment in a number of ways, including using recycled materials and refraining from using fur or exotic leathers, is taking another step toward a more circular system. This year, the luxury fashion house launched a resale program in partnership with Reflaunt, a consignment platform that essentially functions as a concierge service for the resale market.
Customers can drop off Balenciaga clothing or accessories at participating stores, or even schedule a pickup online. Flaunt the heavy lifting handles again: documenting, authenticating, photographing, and, of course, handling the sale.
The program hopes to be as beneficial to sellers as it is to the environment. When an item is sold, customers can opt to receive financial compensation or a Balenciaga store credit of a higher value. That credit can be used at participating stores to purchase new items.
The fashion house's goal, it said in a statement, is part of its broader mission to become fully sustainable and encourage reduce reuse and recycling practices. In terms of implementing the use of sustainable materials, the Spanish brand uses GOTS-certified cotton, and RWS-certified wool and its factories have met the ethical standards of SA8000®.
Balenciaga Uses Mycelium Leather for its 2022 Fall/Winter Collection
Balenciaga first showed the coat at its fall/winter 2022 fashion show, where it employed this advanced technology to generate a material made from pure, non-hybrid mycelium. mycelium is the vegetative part of fungi; a thread-like structure similar to plant roots.
By treating the mycelial mass, mycelium is one of the latest eco-friendly options favored by major brands. It uses fewer resources, considerably reduces the carbon footprint generated in the production, and offers a great resemblance to leather, both in texture and consistency.
Thus, with the aim of reducing the impact caused by the fashion industry, Balenciaga joins the growing and necessary wave of environmental awareness increasingly demanded by customers. In this way, leather alternatives made with mycelium are leading the way, resulting in a flurry of partnerships between luxury brands and material innovation companies.
In terms of other examples of plant-based leather alternatives, Hermès works with Mycoworks, Ralph Lauren with Natural Fiber Welding, Reformation with Ecovative, and Stella McCartney, Ganni, and several others, including Balenciaga's own parent company, Kering, have also partnered with Bolt Threads.
Some products from these initiatives are already available on the market, such as a Ganni handbag and Stella McCartney's Frayme bag made from Mylo, a pair of Allbirds sneakers made from Natural Fiber Welding material, and some options from Gucci's Demetra. However, the selection is limited, and most of the partnerships are still in the exploration or development phase so it does not yet result in an extensive product offering.
Animal Welfare
Balenciaga does not have an official animal testing policy on its website; and according to PETA, the brand is not cruelty-free, as they test products and/or ingredients on animals. In addition, Balenciaga's parent company is Kering, which owns companies that use animal fur in their products. However, on their website, we can find "The Kering Animal Welfare Standards".
The Kering Animal Welfare Standards cover all species worldwide that are part of the Group's supply chains. It includes detailed requirements for the treatment of cattle, calves, sheep, and goats throughout their lives, as well as guidelines for slaughterhouses.