Pioneering Fashion Brands that Are Putting Circularity on the Map

Circular is the new black. The term "circular fashion" has been coined to unify sustainable practices in the fashions industry and the hashtag #CircularFashion has begun appearing on the Instagram accounts of top designers, promoting a vital shift towards production systems with the least impact on the environment. Ultimately, it is about clothes, shoes, and accessories being designed and produced with the intention of being worn responsibly for as long as possible, and returned to the biosphere with the least possible impact. To give you some stats, the fashion industry is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, according to a Greenpeace study. Textile waste amounts to more than 92 million tonnes per year and ends up in landfills. Currently, less than 1% of clothing is recycled. The remaining 99% pollutes the environment due to the use of toxic chemicals, hazardous dyes, and synthetic fibers that leach into the world's water supply and oceans. Stella McCartney: A Luxury Brand Setting the Bar for Circularity Stella McCartney A fashion powerhouse born in London, Stella McCartney embodies confidence and effortless feminine style. As a life-long vegetarian, founder Stella McCartney dreamed of opening a luxury fashion house that was eco-friendly and cruelty-free. Dedicated to running a responsible and sustainable business, they employ circular business practices such as using recycled and reworked materials that are 100% organic. Stella McCartney products are GOTS and Cradle To Cradle certified. They offer collections for casual wear, evening wear, lingerie, activewear as well as kidswear. The high-fashion brand has become renowned for coming with innovative ways to reuse materials, by using recycled nylon and polyester as well as regenerated cashmere. The brand is also a part of the Make Fashion Circular Initiative and is also certified by Cradle to Cradle, a program that scores brands on their commitment to a circular economy. Other Brands Following Suit Last December, Eñaut Barruetabeña, who was the winner of the REC.0 /080 Barcelona Fashion award for Best Designer and the award for Best Emerging Design Collection at 080 Barcelona Fashion, launched his first 100% circular capsule collection. According to Eñaut, it’s important to merge comfort with practicality when it comes to clothes design. Nowadays, that is something that the circular part of fashion gives us perfectly. A T-shirt can be worn at home as well as with jeans and out on the street, which makes for the most versatile garments.