In collaboration with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a company specializing in textile innovation in which Ralph Lauren has held a minority stake since August 2020, the fashion brand has created this new RLX Clarus polo shirt, made, they claim, from the world's first high-performance cotton fabric. A 100% cotton fiber is obtained from virgin and recycled cotton, which thanks to NFW's latest textile innovations allows it to show qualities as a high-performance fiber similar to those shown by other fibers such as polyester and nylon. Synthetic fabrics are made from fossil fuels and petroleum derivatives, a resource that this new high-performance natural fiber does not need to offer its wide range of improvements, such as quick-drying and enhanced moisture management while offering comfort and breathability of the cotton. "Ralph Lauren is known for timelessness, and for more than 50 years being timeless has meant both buildings on our heritage and fostering pioneering innovation," said David Lauren, Chief Branding and Innovation Officer at Ralph Lauren, in a statement released by the US company itself.
He continued "With the introduction of the RLX Clarus polo shirt, we are using our most iconic product as a canvas to launch a scalable, industry-changing textile technology, a performance apparel product created with natural fibers for the first time. An action with which "we are proud to continue the brand's legacy", and in its commitment to "a distinctive and authentic style, reinvented for the future". With this collaboration, the brand demonstrates its commitment to circularity by using materials that perform similarly to plastic-based synthetic fabrics. NFW aims to pioneer an entirely new system that simultaneously enables all-natural performance fabrics while reducing waste and eliminating the need for synthetic plastics. Natural Fiber Welding: a Strategic investment The launch of the new RLX Clarus polo shirt is just the latest example of Ralph Lauren's commitment to embracing a more fully circular and sustainable model. To this end, it has launched various actions in terms of both design and the transformation of its traditional production and investment models, including the launch of its "Earth Polo" made from yarn made from recycled plastic bottles and a waterless dyeing process. This means the implementation of a new customized and made-to-measure production system; and the launch, last March 2021, of its new subscription rental service "The Lauren Look". And so on to this investment in Natural Fiber Welding, in what must be understood as a long-term commitment by the company to complete its transition to a model that is fully committed to the environment. Through this investment, Ralph Lauren seeks to expand its use of recycled cotton, helping to advance the Company's progress towards 100 percent sustainable sourcing of its key materials, including cotton, by 2025 and the integration of zero waste principles throughout its business. For example, Ralph Lauren’s renowned bedding sheets are certified Made in Green by OEKO-TEX®, which is a label used for traceable textiles and leather products that have been manufactured in environmentally friendly facilities under safe and socially responsible working conditions.