Following the launch six weeks ago in a clothed street in East London, Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the first results of its revolutionary clothes recycling initiative, Shwopping. Half a million used and unwanted items have been shwopped – the equivalent of eight items a minute. Every single one has been donated to Oxfam for re-sale, re-use or recycling.
Most of us know that the fashion industry isn’t the most sustainable industry in the market. The fast cycles (promoted by disposable clothing that needs to be replaced each season), coupled with harsh labour practices, cross-country transport and the chemicals used during the production processes, make it everything but green. While a lot of attention gets placed on labour practices and production processes, how often do we take a look at the fashion industry’s effect on water supplies?
While the textile industry as a whole has been recognised as an environmental hazard, fur in fashion remains controversial because of the animal cruelty factor. But with everyday fabrics like cotton heavily depleting and polluting fresh water supplies worldwide, could it be that we need to revaluate our views on fur?
Avant Garde, Live Eco´s upcycled fashion project, is underway for a second season. Together with the Design Academy of Fashion, Live Eco will be presenting an upcycled fashion show, proudly sponsored by Pick n Pay & The Body Shop, at The Green Expo at the CTICC on 24 November 2012.
At first it seemed like a bit of effort for good publicity after he was exposed as a cheating husband, but it seems Irish pop singer Ronan Keating’s mission to help the environment is the real deal. What mission, you ask? To save the giant clam!
Vegan diets, vegan cosmetics and now vegan shoes. If you’re not that familiar with the concept, you might be wondering what vegan shoes are all about – and do shoes really need to be vegan? The answer is: Yes! Here’s more about ethical shoes.
After their 2011 debut of four sustainable eyewear models produced in collaboration with Safilo group, Italian luxury brand Gucci is continuing their commitment to the environment with the design of sunglasses made from liquid wood – a biodegradable material which has never before been used in the eyewear sector – and new eco-friendly packaging.
Gucci have become the latest brand to design an eco-friendly shoe line as part of their pre-fall 2012 collection. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Stella McCartney, the new shoe collection designed by creative director Frida Giannini will use biodegradable plastic instead of leather or suede to create chic, guilt-free footwear. The project is part of Gucci´s ongoing commitment to the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, the world´s most important conference on sustainability and fashion.
While the textile industry as a whole has been recognised as an environmental hazard, fur in fashion remains controversial because of the animal cruelty factor. But with everyday fabrics like cotton heavily depleting and polluting fresh water supplies worldwide, could it be that we need to revaluate
Topshop has teamed up with eco fashion brand Reclaim To Wear to create a debut upcycled capsule collection