Nike Releases App for Sustainable Fashion Lovers

By: Rebecca Taylor

PHOTO SOURCE: GLAMOUR.COM

Popular athletics company, Nike has teamed up with students from the London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainable Fashion, to create “Making” an app that helps people determine their clothing’s environmental impact. The app has four categories where it ranks each fibre, and then gives the fibre a total score out of 50. The higher the score the better the environmental impact.

PHOTO SOURCE: RESOURCE.UK.COM

The categories used in the app are chemistry, energy/greenhouse gas intensity, water/land use intensity, physical waste, and recycled. Users can compare fibres in different categories or as a whole in the Base Material Score category. The app also includes an organic category that ranks the best organic fibres. The “Making” app however does not take into account the entire lifecycle of a garment, such as customer care.

The app allows consumers and designers to easily compare the environmental impact of commonly used fibres. The new app can be downloaded for free on an iPhone from the iTunes store. The app may not change the fashion world significantly but it is a great step towards a more sustainable industry.

Sources: Brandchannel.com, Glamour.com, Resource.UK.com

Ekocycle: From Plastic Bottles to Clothing

By: Rebecca Taylor

PHOTO CREDIT: GREENERIDEAL.COM

Music artist will.i.am and the Coca-Cola Company have teamed up for a new sustainable revolution called Ekocycle. Ekocycle re-uses plastic bottles in order to make to make clothing and headphones. Ekocycle has teamed up with Beats by Dre headphones to bring their customers headphones made from 31% recycled materials. This idea is brilliant because plastic does not decompose when recycled and is therefore laying around with no purpose after its primary use.

LEVI'S WASTE<LESS JEANS
PHOTO CREDIT: LEVI.COM

Levi’s jeans has also taken advantage of this revolutionary initiative and has designed a pair of men’s jeans. The 501 Waste<Less Jean uses eight plastic bottles on average and is made from 29% recycled consumer materials. The jeans fit like any other pair of Levi’s jeans and comes in seven different washes. Price points range from $78 - $128.

ADIDAS' T-SHIRT DESIGN FOR EKOCYCLE
PHOTO CREDIT: ADIDAS.COM

Popular athletic wear company Adidas has also joined forces with Ekocycle by designing a limited edition men’s NBA T-shirt. The T-shirt is made using a combination of organic cotton and at least three recycled bottles. It retails for $36 and is a piece of clothing that you can feel good about purchasing.

Action sport apparel company RVCA has also teamed up with Ekocycle to create a pair of swim trunks made from 91% recycled polyester. There are approximately 5 plastic bottles in each swim trunk.

The best part about all of these clothes is that they can be recycled and remade into other things- it’s a beautiful eco-friendly cycle.

Sources: Ekocycle.com, RVCA.com, Addidas.com, Levi.com, Greenerideal.com

Topshop's Reclaim To Wear Collection

By: Rebecca Taylor

PHOTO CREDIT: REFINERY29.COM

Last year Topshop saw great success when they designed and sold their zero waste collection. They aimed to be as successful this year with their new eco friendly collection. The British retailer recently unveiled their “Reclaim to Wear” line. The line features nine pieces all made using recycled materials and fibres and is made entirely in England.

SOURCE: REFINERY29.COM

The line features floral summer prints on tops, skirts, a pair of shorts and a dress. The pieces retail between $50 and $112 and are available online and in select store locations around the world. Any piece from this collection would be a perfect addition to any fashionistas summer wardrobe. 

SOURCE: REFINERY29.COM

SOURCE: REFINERY29.COM

Sources: Refinery29.com, Racked.com

Vivienne Westwood Designs Sustainable Uniforms for Virgin Atlantic Airlines

By: Rebecca Taylor

WESTWOOD AND BRANDSON
PHOTO CREDIT: VOGUE UK

Founder of the Virgin Group, Richard Branson recently asked designer Vivienne Westwood to design new uniforms for the staff of Virgin Atlantic Airlines. The famous red uniforms have only been updated four times in the past 30 years and were in need of a makeover. Westwood was the ideal choice for the job because Branson wanted someone who could come up with a unique design.

WOMEN'S NEW UNIFORM WESTWOOD SKETCH
PHOTO CREDIT: VOGUE UK

The uniforms are 1940's french couture inspired with a futuristic flare. The women’s uniform will feature a jacket, cinched at the waist and a pencil skirt all in the company’s signature red. 

MEN'S NEW UNIFORM WESTWOOD SKETCH
PHOTO CREDIT: VOGUE UK

The men’s uniform is a three-piece structured burgundy suit. Westwood, known for being an outspoken environmental activist has decided that her designs will be made from a combination of eco friendly fibres and recycled fabrics. Virgin Airlines has also decided to try out a technology that will melt down old polyester from pop bottles and roadside signs and turning them into fibres that can then be made into clothing. 

The uniforms will be worn by over 7 500 employees and will debut in July but the uniforms will not be officially launched until 2014.

Sources: Vogue.co.uk