More fashion brands are embracing sustainability and responsible designs

As consumers begin shopping more responsibly, more fashion brands are embracing sustainable designs. Photo: Hugo Boss

Going “green” is very much an industry-wide aim in fashion. From luxury to fast fashion, as well as ready-to-wear and accessories, brands are trying their hardest to meet the expectations of today’s eco-friendly consumers.

For instance, Hugo Boss included three sustainable outwear styles into its Autumn/Winter 2024 collection. These were unveiled last year in Milan.

Comprising two trench coats and a bomber jacket, each is crafted from an innovative fabric that acts as a substitute to oil-based filament yarns such as polyester and nylon.

Upcycle collections using old clothes or discarded materials are common now. Photo: Instagram/FIT

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The HeiQ AeoniQ fabric, a cutting-edge, plant-based material, is combined with bio-based waterproof membranes and Swiss Pima cotton to create a remarkable three-layer textile.

Uniqlo announced last month that it had collaborated with New York’s Fashion Institute Of Technology (FIT) to create an upcycled collection. It includes shirts, jumpsuits, accessories and more.

Three FIT fashion design students, Sam Cho, Bridgette Schaeffer and Nuo Cheng, made use of unsellable and unwearable apparel collected via the Re.Uniqlo recycling initiative.

“Our biggest challenge as a team was creating designs that the Re.Uniqlo studio staff could reproduce and scale,” Schaeffer comments on Instagram.

“The most rewarding part of this collaboration was seeing all of our pieces come together at the final photo shoot.”

Similarly, Levi’s eyewear collection for this season utilised plant base and recycled materials. It is said to be designed for Gen Z consumers.

The collection includes a range of sunglasses made of bio-injected resin, a material that includes bio-based content partially derived from castor oil, resulting in a highly durable and lightweight material.

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Malaysian brand Tracey even managed to fashion bags using apple leather, coffee leather and recycled nylon.

“We give a second chance to what has been perceived as waste into a more conscious accessory you can bring along with you,” reads the description on the brand’s website.