Lights, camera … cradle-to-cradle

The Netherlands – Glamour was heavily accessorised with sustainability on the catwalk at last week’s Amsterdam Fashion Week 2014.

The event saw the launch of EcoProFabrics, a ′revolutionary′ project within the European Commission′s Eco Innovation programme.

The colourful designer creations from Dennis Diem, Said Mahrouf and many others were accompanied by ′Returnity′ apparel: made from ′an innovative 100% recyclable polyester-based fabric′, the new workwear label is said to reduce CO2 impact by 73% and water usage by 95% when compared to cotton.

The textile collected for the project is ground into loose fibres, which are then converted back into high-performance textiles. ′This means no fibres are lost in the process and that full quality is maintained,′ comments Rien Otto, founder of Dutch aWEARness – the fashion company behind Returnity.

′EcoProFabrics shows that we can replace the linear model the textile industry has traditionally relied on with a circular model so clothes no longer have to be discarded after use,′ Otto adds. He cites Dr Michael Braungart′s cradle-to-cradle concept as a source of inspiration for the green apparel. The work uniforms will be leased to companies until they become worn out – at which point they will be returned for recycling by EcoProFabrics partners.

For more information, visit: www.dutchawearness.com