Top Ones to Watch in Sustainable Fashion | Weekly Report by Luxe.CO

In the second week of 2021, Luxe.CO's Top Ones to Watch List contained a total of 11 luxury, fashion and lifestyle brands and the latest developments from corporate groups. French cosmetics giant L’Oréal, American eco-minimalist brand Pangaia and German outdoor sports brand VAUDE were selected as the top ones to watch.

Top Ones to Watch in Sustainable Fashion (in no particular order)

1. French cosmetics giant L’Oréal and environmental innovation company GJOSA have teamed up to create Water Saver, a new technology that makes sustainable water use available to salons and homes, cutting water usage by 80%. By using high-efficiency water saving techniques, haircare formulas specially designed for Water Saver by Kérastase and L’Oréal Professionnel are infused directly into the water stream. Currently, consumers can experience this in selected L'Oréal salons in New York and Paris, and the technique will be available worldwide in 2021 and 2022.

2. Pangaia, the American eco-minimalist brand, has announced an investment in Kintra Fibers, a materials technology company dedicated to the development of high-performance yarns made from 100% bio-based and compostable materials, to help patent and commercialize the technology. Kintra Fibers has now developed a resin and yarn material made from cane sugar, and hopes that this new material will replace petroleum-based synthetic fibers and become an effective solution to microplastic marine pollution.

3. VAUDE, the German outdoor sports brand, has recently announced that by the end of 2020 it had eliminated PFCs (perfluorocarbons) from all of its clothing, footwear and backpack products. The brand also announced that it has developed innovative business models to promote sustainable consumption, such as the launch of its first eBay Upcycling Store, where leftover materials from the manufacturing process are auctioned off to those in the textile industry who need them.

Other sustainable fashion trends (in no particular order)

4. In keeping with its sustainability ethos, German sportswear giant Adidas has partnered with Parley for the Oceans to launch the Parley x Adidas Ultra 4D collection, featuring a cream upper made from Parley Ocean Plastic™ to reduce the impact of plastic on the marine environment. The signature Parley wave line is on the upper, paired with a white 4D technology midsole.

5. American outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland has launched a limited series of environmentally friendly shoes for the Year of the Ox. The Madbury series is made of ReBOTL™ fabric containing at least 50% recycled plastic and high-quality leather produced by a LWG silver-rated tannery. The shoelaces are made of 100% recyclable plastic. Another Timberland product, the Raywood EK+ high-top boot, is also made of environmentally friendly materials, including TimberDry™ waterproof coating containing 50% recycled rubber.

6. Athleta, the athleisure brand of American apparel group Gap Inc., has launched its first sleepwear collection. It includes 14 pieces made from sustainable, natural fabrics, such as T-shirts, underwear, shorts, pajamas and other items made from natural, organic cotton and Tencel Modal. The collection is currently available for purchase on the brand's website, with prices ranging from $34 to $74.

7. As part of its sustainability initiative Born To Protect, Italian luxury brand Moncler has launched its Born to Protect autumn/winter collection of down jackets made entirely from sustainable materials. With fabrics and accessories made from recycled materials, they produce 40% fewer CO₂ emissions than traditional nylon jackets. The packaging is made from sustainable and environmentally friendly materials too.

8. LYCRA, the American apparel and fine fabrics supplier, has announced that 25 of its LYCRA® fiber products have been awarded the Gold Level Material Health Certificate by the Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute, which is valid for two years. By specifying fibers with the Gold Level Material Health Certificate, customers can be assured of transparency in the composition of their products and suppliers, as well as Lycra's commitment to continuously improve the sustainability of its products.

9. NATRUE, the international non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of natural and organic cosmetics, has announced an update to its standards for natural and organic cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients, streamlining its three certifications into two: natural or organic, in order to make its products more accessible to consumers. In line with this move, formulation requirements have also been adjusted and NATRUE has stressed the importance of clearer labeling and claims for consumers, revising its guidelines for the use of the Nature label on certified products to avoid misleading them.

10. The polar outdoor adventure brand Shackleton has teamed up with the Blue Marine Foundation to create the world’s first expedition-grade parka, the Antarctic Protector Parka. The Antarctic Protector Parka is unique in that it is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, with a waterproof outer shell made from post-consumer plastic bottles and an RDS-certified 95/5 800 goose down filling. The new parka is a limited edition product, with 100 available in black, white and gray. Shackleton says that for every parka sold, the company will donate £100 to the Blue Marine Foundation to help protect the Antarctic Ocean.

11. PortsPURE, the young sub-label of high-end womenswear brand PORTS, is making a statement for the environment with the release of its latest sustainable green collection, the Re(Up)Cycle. The collection includes a check shirt made from 100% recycled polyester, a denim jacket made from eco-friendly organic cotton and a patchwork jacket made from 100% viscose. The collection is now available for purchase at the official PortsPURE store.

About Top Ones to Watch in Sustainable Fashion

From 2021, Luxe.CO started to publish Top Ones to Watch in Sustainable Fashion on a weekly basis. The list selects initiatives in sustainability from fashion and lifestyle brands, companies and corporate groups. Our committee will select the best initiatives based on the criteria of “power to innovate” and “power to implement strategy”. It is our hope that this list will inspire every brand, retailer, and manufacturer that focuses on sustainable fashion.

| Photo Credit: Brand Website

| By Lingli Shu & Mireya