Recycled

Recycling fabrics and materials is an essential measure we are taking to combat the problem of ocean waste and landfill.

An exciting and innovative approach to production, we are working with suppliers across the globe to reconsider the use of pre-loved fibres, in particular synthetic materials.

While recycled synthetic fibres are still man-made, they are sourced from what already exist in the world, negating the need to generate any new materials.

This has a two-fold effect: it will save products from becoming landfill or ocean waste, as well as lessening the demand for virgin materials and the many resources required to produce them.

The next step in this process is circularity, where products are designed with their next use in mind.

Circularity

A new and ever-evolving approach to fashion practice, the concept of circularity requires us to rethink how we design our products for their next use. Circularity challenges the status quo and acknowledges that we have to completely transform the present linear approach to fashion production. It would instead keep fabrics and materials in use, recycling them again and again for the next product. We believe this concept is the way of the future.

Recycled nylon

Our recycled nylon is sourced from discarded fishing nets and factory off-cuts that might otherwise pollute the ocean or end up in landfill.

We regenerate these plastics into a beautiful high performance nylon, adding elastane for increased stretch and durability. This gives us our blend of 78% recycled nylon and 22% elastane.

Recycled polyester

Recycled polyester is created by taking existing plastics and spinning them into new fibres. It can be recycled numerous times into a material of equal quality, reducing demand for virgin polyester. Producing recycled polyester takes less energy, and keeps plastics out of landfill.

Recycled polyester still sheds tiny microfibers in the washing machine, which end up back in our waterways. A solution you can act on now is to use a washing bag such as Guppyfriend that filters even the smallest microfibres released during washing.

Recycled ocean plastics

In selected ranges, we used 100% recycled ocean plastics that have been collected from Australian beaches. Turning ocean waste into a resource, it rethinks the way we approach products destined for waste.

The material is in itself beautiful, with a marble quality similar to early plastics, lending the product design integrity. The plastic is sorted by colour, to achieve the striking marble effect.

Upcycled brass

Brass is a metal alloy made up of different elements, including copper. Copper is not biodegradable: it accumulates in the environment and can reach hazardous levels that are toxic to plant and animal life, as well as causing serious health problems for those who work in the copper mines.

Upcycling brass eliminates the need of virgin material: it refutes the need for more copper to be mined, as well as saving single-use brass from landfill. Samples and factory discards are collected, melted down and used to mould into our jewellery.

Recycled cotton

Denim is actually made from cotton, and is a big part of our business. We have developed a recycled denim jean, which is made from a blend of what we call post-consumer waste cotton, along with virgin cotton and a small percentage of elastane.

Recycled store fixtures

We’ve incorporated recycled materials into beautiful new store fixtures, which you can read more about here.

Recyclable shoe soles

We partner with Save Our Soles, a recycling initiative, which encourages Head Office staff to recycle their shoes so we can repurpose the rubber soles. This rubber is reused to create gyms, playgrounds and sporting surfaces.

Recycling pre-loved garments

We create pieces you come back to year after year. Our commitment to quality means each garment is made to last, using premium fabrications and expert craftsmanship. But we know that the needs of individual wardrobes change over time. For the times when an item is ready to pass onto the next person, we partner with Red Cross, and have done so through Fashion Trade since 2011.

Denim made with reclaimed fibres

TENCEL™ with REFIBRA™ technology is branded lyocell fibres, made from a blend of recycled cotton scraps and wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests.

These fibres are based on Lenzing’s lyocell production process, which means they inherit the environmentally responsible properties of TENCEL™ lyocell fibres including water use levels that are up to 20 times lower than conventional cotton.