Just sometimes the process of using recycled materials in fashion designs causes something amazing. In the case of his SS10 collection it was Christopher Raeburn who brought about this transformation turning decommissioned military stock that would usually be destined for the bin into some very beautiful clothes. The designer who is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and has recently been awarded NEWGEN sponsorship reinterprets streetwear into luxurious high end pieces made from parachute silk, heavy wools leather and quilting. The collection will also be accompanied by a range of hats and bags.
An interesting report entitled Well Dressed? and published by the University of Cambridge, Department for Manufacturing in 2006 explores the present and future sustainability of textiles in the United Kingdom. Most of us are probably aware that there are many issues surrounding the sustainability of the textiles industry in the UK but the report gives a really in depth and neutral look at the problems and identify the potential for significant and lasting change.
The report is highly relevant for consumers, media, business, education, government and campaigners and provides balanced evidence based information. Some of the key findings of the report in relation to the recycling of clothes are summarised below:
The UK’s current behaviour in disposing of used clothing and textiles to landfill is not sustainable as volumes are growing.
The second hand sector is growing and there is further demand so improved collection and sorting procedures will be beneficial in reducing waste and providing usable clothes to developing countries.
Recycling is siginificant for materials with high impacts in the production phase.
According to the analysis in order to create change a consumer would:
Buy second hand clothing and textiles where possible.
Buy fewer more durable garments and textile products.
When buying new products, choose those made with least energy and least toxic emmissions, made by workers paid a credible living wage with reasonable employment rights and conditions.
Lease clothes that would otherwise not be worn to the end of their natural life.
Extend the life of clothing and textile products through repair.
Dispose of using clothing and textiles through recycling businesses who would return them for secondhand sale where ever possible but otherwise extract and recycle the yarns or fibres.
Swapping, buying and selling second hand clothes is a great way of recycling and improving the sustainability of textiles. You can swap, buy and sell your second hand clothes for free on www.posh-swaps.com.
The latest great idea for creating sustainable and desirable fashion by recycling old items into new are these beautiful shoes by Terra Plana. The shoes are created using recycled Pakistani quilts making each one a unique piece. But they are not just eco friendly, they are comfy and stylish too. I love the rich colours and the different textures. The shoes are high heel platform shoes, making them a great addition to a day time or evening outfit. They are lightweight with flexible memory soles for extra comfort.
Terra Plana works towards creating sustainable shoes by minimize waste and toxin use and maximize product use. They use eco friendly materials including recycled materials where ever possible and use innovative minimal glue constructions.
Frugal living is currently a necessity for many people but has also become quite fashionable as people find new and creative ways to live on a minimal budget. The media have likened this frugality to the second world war when rationing and shortages forced people to ’make do and mend’. John Lewis has even rewritten a wartime make do and mend booklet for modern times. It gives some great tips that still apply today as well as some new ones such as the economic use of the central heating.
This make do and mend philosophy, is not just frugal but also environmentally friendly and a real contrast to throw away society that has become so prevalent in recent years. Make do and mend positively encourages a reduction in waste and recycling in all sorts of different ways. Some thing that may be quite alien to many but that fits in perfectly with the current economic climate and make do and mend philosophy is making do with the clothes we have instead of buying new. Of course it help greatly if the clothes were great quality and classic styles in the first place.
A whole movement of fashionistas has began to spring up around the make do and mend idea. Clothes swapping, swishing parties, clothing repair and alteration, buying and selling second hand clothes and refashioning/ reworking old clothes have all become popular ways not just of saving money and the environment but also of creating unique, interesting and beautiful outfits.
At Posh Swaps, we love this recycled eco jewellery range by Anna Clifton. Anna’s newest work is made using or rather “re-using” aluminium drinks cans and recycled glass beads to create beautiful pieces of jewellery and bridal hair accessories. Anna also takes commissions for bespoke pieces.
Anna Clifton Jewellery prides itself on being an “Environmentally Friendly” company. It is a family run business where each and every piece of jewellery (including tiaras, circlets and hair accessories) is made by hand in the UK.
Anna Clifton Jewellery is a home run business and has strong environmental beliefs. They re-use, recycle and compost as much as is physically possible, use energy saving light bulbs, don’t leave appliances and electrical equipment on standby, always buy local wherever possible and are a one car family.
By using recycled materials in their work they cut down on the use of raw materials. All other pieces are made using traditional hand silversmithing and wire working techniques and waste material is kept to the bare minimum .
The perfect piece of jewellery to compliment your second hand eco wedding dress.
My first reaction to this picture of of two suited men at New York Fashion Week is to laugh. I found the picture on Lela Luxe and on further reading realised that all is not as it seems. The clear plastic suit made from recycled bottles is not actually a fashion statement but more an elaborate statement to show how a suit made from recycled bottles is not what you would expect. The man on the right is wearing a suit made by Bagir, an Israel-based tailored apparel manufacturer that specializes in high-tech suiting innovations. It is made from ECOGIR™ a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. The fabric is machine washable and can be tumbled dried so is also eco friendly in that it does not require dry cleaning.
This is another great example of ways that you can help the planet without compromising on style.
Glove Love is an initiative by Green Thing, where they take lonely single gloves that have lost their original partners, wash them and then pair them with brand new glove lovers. You can either donate single gloves, or buy a matched pair for a fiver. This shirt film/ commercial featuring the voie of Emma Thompson was filmed by Michael Wright and Mustard. A really fun way to recycle and cut down on waste, we love it. Alternatively, you could swap your old gloves on Posh-swaps.com.
Green Thing is a public service that inspires people to lead a greener life. With the help of brilliant videos and inspiring stories from creative people and community members around the world, Green Thing focuses on seven things you can do - and enjoy doing. Join people from 202 countries doing their green things and making a difference
Nina Dolcetti is the label started by Elisalex Grunfeld de Castro in 2008 after she graduated from Cordwainers in 2005. The high end shoes that she makes are both luxurious and sustainable. The upcycled materials used for these design led, avant garde shoes are off cuts and remnants and unwanted pre consumer waste. They are hand made in a work shop in East London.
The label which showed at Esthetica, London Fashion Week, recognises the waste within the fashion industry and the environmentally unfriendly effects of leather tanning. Yet another exciting development in our search for luxurious but sustainable style.
Nylon and Polyester are amongst the most commonly used synthetic materials for clothing manufacture. They are made from petro chemicals and their production pollutes the environment and adds to the growing problem of global warming. The disposal of synthetic clothing also prevents a significant problem as it does not easily decompose or bio degrade. Nylon takes 30 to 40 years to decompose.
During the production of nylon nitrous oxide is released. This green house gas contributes to global warming and is 310 times stronger than carbon dioxide. Polyester manufacture which uses non renewable petrochemicals is an energy intensive process and releasesemissions including volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and acid gases such as hydrogen chloride, all of which can cause or aggravate respiratory disease. Polyester manufacturing plants release Volatile monomers, solvents, and other by-products of polyester production in the waste water.
It all sounds pretty bad and the increased use of these synthetic fibers to manufacture cheap, fast fashions has further added to the problem. But synthetic clothing does have some plus sides, it drys quickly and does not usually require as much ironing as synthetic fabrics. Both of these activities use energy and therefore cause carbon dioxide emmission and contribute to the problem of glocal warming. So what is the solution?
Whilst much research is being carried out to find the perfect eco fabric, common sense suggests that one of the best things that you can do for the environment is to recycle clothing, buy less new clothes and throw less clothing away. Clothes swapping is a great way to ensure that your clothes get plenty of wear and are not thrown away before the end of their useful life. Second hand clothes are so much more sustainable than synthetic clothing and fast fashion. All clothing manufacture, eco fashion or not has some level of environmental impact so recycling is the only completely eco friendly option.
Just incase you were in any doubt as to how trendy eco fashion is, it had now been confirmed by the launch of a collection made from recycled clothes at Topshop. Topshop is considered the most cutting edge and innovative of the high street fashion store and it’s introduction of a line of recycled clothing proves that being green is red hot. It follows in the footsteps of Oxfam’s recycled DIY collection which has recieved plenty of publicity lately.
The collection is by the Eco brand My Only One, that used second hand and women’s vintage clothing to create beautiful and fresh new designs. The ideas come from a team of innovative and emerging designers.
The collection will launch at the Oxford Street store of Topshop and will be called Sport Noveau. It will feature stylishly reconstructed sportswear.
Nina Dolcetti 
